Why is my dog aggressive and lethargic after a Dexamethasone shot?

Excessive drinking and urination, as well as behavioral changes (aggression, hyperactivity and agitation can all occur) can all be attributed to steroid administration. Long acting steroids can last 2-4 weeks, depending upon which exact medication was given. As the steroid wears off, you should see these side effects resolve. Fiddle will return to his normal self again, don't worry! :-)

Steroids like methylprednisolone have a very wide dosage range, so the dosage used is largely a matter of personal judgement and experience for each vet. However, since it sounds like Babygirl is having some unpleasant behavioral side effects from the medication, I would recommend calling your vet to discuss your concerns. He/she may recommend decreasing her dose, or switching to a different medication to control her itching.

The lethargy could be caused by the cortisone injection, the itchiness and biting could be due to an anal gland problem or allergies in most cases, if it is not the anal glands then the cortisone injection should help. if he remains extremely lethargic you will need to take him back to the vet urgently.

It is possible this is secondary to the steroid injection, and if so, dependent on the type of steroid given, it could take several weeks for the drug to be eliminated from the body. This behavior may also be her way of saying she doesn't feel good. But if everything else is normal (eating normally, breathing normally, etc.) that is good. You can try to figure out if there any specific behaviors towards her that elicit the response. And unfortunately it is sometimes just the cat but this seems less likely given what you report. I would definitely contact your vet and let them know what you are seeing at home so you can find out what drug was given to know better the duration of effect. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I don't think I would be overly worried about this. Dexamethasone is a fairly weak steroid. Just go back to giving it to him every other day until you speak to your vet. If he has a scabby wound then he will likely need antibiotics. Steroids (even the weak ones) will decrease the body's immune response so they tend to infections easily.

This is a common reaction to steroids. If the steroids were only for his itching you may try to decrease his dose in half to see if you see improvement in the side effects but still see relief in his allergies. But I would still call your vet to let them know he is having this type of reaction. If he was prescribed steroids for an auto immune disorder I would contact your vet before adjusting the dose. I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Cainan. I recommend continuing his medication as prescribed by his veterinarian. If he has an immune problem, he likely needs the steroids. You do need to discuss his behavior with his veterinarian as soon as possible though. In the meantime, do not take him to dog parks or around other dogs. If he becomes aggressive towards your family, I would seek veterinary care for him over the weekend. I hope this information helps!