Can inhaled steroids cause pancreatitis or flare-ups in cats?

I'm so sorry you lost Coco. Please accept my condolences for your loss. Typically steroids do not cause heart failure, so I don't expect giving her steroids would have brought on the final stages. I suspect she was quite sick already. I'm sorry.

Yes, that is a typical decreasing dosage program. While steroids are not recommended for long term use, cats have less problems with them than dogs. Also long term use generally means many months or years. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care get answers to your veterinary questions.

If he starts to have an elevated respiratory rate, difficulty breathing, or increased cough than he may need a steroid. If he is only coughing a few times a day and otherwise seems fine than it doesn't sound like he needs a steroid, yet.

Yes she should. Low fat diet ideally should be provided as a regular diet. I would strongly suggest to have her checked by your veterinarian as well as chronic administration of steroids could be potentially the cause of persistent vomiting. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sweetie. I am glad that she will see her veterinarian for an examination. X-rays are typically of the chest as well. Based on these results, a diagnosis of asthma can be made in most cases. You are correct that inhalers can be used to manage this condition. A steroid inhaler such as fluticasone works well for daily use. This works very well with minimal systemic side effects. However, this medication tends to be very expensive. Albuterol is another medication that can be used in the inhaler. It is not a steroid. This is better for rescue situations such as during an attack. I hope this information helps!

There are different types of steroid shots. Long term use or high doses can affect their liver or kidneys. There has been studies that some forms can bring on a form of heart failure if already underlying with it. The do make asthma inhalers for cats that may be easier to give. If she is not eating I would have her rechecked to have blood work done and see what else is going on

Chronic steroid usage can predispose cats to developing diabetes. If your cat’s asthma is currently stable then I think it is reasonable to stop medication and see how the blood glucose responds. If you aren’t comfortable with this, or you are concerned she won’t do well if you stop the medications, then I would recommend talking to your vet about having a fructosamine level performed. This will give you an idea of how high her glucose has been over the previous 2 weeks. If it is high as well then you will most likely need to initiate insulin therapy. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.