Steroids and use with other treatments

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:13:53 GMT

That was Busybee, not me.

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

bob lehner — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:46:00 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]Cats, you only have 3 months allowance due to the FeLV component. I may be wrong but this is what I was told![/quote]

Re FeLV booster vaccs - The European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases(ABCD) says on its website:

'Booster vaccinations

No data have been published to support a duration of immunity (DOI) longer than 1 year after primo-vaccination. Therefore, most vaccine producers recommend annual boosters. However, considering the significant lower susceptibility of adult cats to FeLV infection, the ABCD suggests that in cats older than 3-4 years, a booster every two to three years would be sufficient'.

QI - but, as ever, a dilemma between common sense and what the data sheet says.

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:48:45 GMT

[quote user="K Scott"]

And in the case of an animal on NSAIDs e.g. chronic OA, is it ok to give topical steroids such as ear drops? Or should the NSAIDs be withdrawn whilst the topical treatment is given?

Thanks :-)

[/quote]

I looked at the datasheet, and when you work out how much steroid is in 5-10 drops of solution, and you consider the (low) systemic penetration of ear antibiotics, I don't think the concentration will be enough to cause problems.

Source: Totally anecdotal, I've given canaural or aurizon or surolan to dogs on metacam and they got better just fine. :)

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:44:31 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"] WSAVA guidelines have said that you can be a few weeks late and a single booster will still be fine, so I'm ok being up to a month late with vaccines - especially if it's been boosted multiple times.[/quote]

We use the Nobivac range of vaccines for dogs and according to the data sheet the DHP component only needs to be boostered every three years, the L component every year and the Pi component every year. Having spoken to the manufacturer, about a year ago I think, they said you can go over on a routine booster by 6 months and still be 'ok' (we use DHP & L). Cats, you only have 3 months allowance due to the FeLV component. I may be wrong but this is what I was told!

[/quote]

Fair enough! :)

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Busybee — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:34:13 GMT

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:25:58 GMT

I agree with Bob.

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:20:10 GMT

[quote user="Utlendigur"]

Don't let Evelyn catch you calling them "steroids"

[/quote]

I was going to maintain a dignified silence. The original poster is a new graduate.

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:24:01 GMT

As a general rule of thumb, I do not vaccinate an animal that is undergoing antibiotic treatment. The rationale for this is that an infection is putting a stress on the immune system, and so may not respond correctly to the immune challenge. WSAVA guidelines have said that you can be a few weeks late and a single booster will still be fine, so I'm ok being up to a month late with vaccines - especially if it's been boosted multiple times.

Steroids on a low dose - I inform the owner, and explain as above; a small number of animals may fail to respond properly. That said, skin is great fun to work up and sometimes this is my chance to open up a discussion on alternate treatments. (not every pruritic dog on steroids is atopic, unfortunately.)

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Utlendigur — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:16:36 GMT

Don't let Evelyn catch you calling them "steroids"

Re: Steroids and use with other treatments

Bob Russell — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:53:20 GMT

Data sheets suggest that steroids be stopped prior to vaccination. I have spoken to vets at a number of drugs companies over the years and they seem happy with the idea that prednisolone at anti-inflammatory doses is probably OK but immuno-suppressive doses are not!

Antibiotics should screw up Bordetella vaccines as they are live bacterial vaccines. Lepto vaccines are killed so I would not expect antibiotics to affect them (you cannot kill them more!).

I don't consider NSAI's to be a problem. If you are unsure i would suggest you go back to basics and decide if the risk of stopping other treatments is greater than the small chance that the vaccine will fail.

If I am going to vaccinate a dog or cat on steroids I will briefly mention that there is a small chance that they may not respond and this may be slightly greater because of the steroids. The buzz words at the moment are 'informed consent' and 'risk assessment'.

I await the posts telling me I am a disgrace to the profession because of this!