Companion Animals

Companion Cat IBD Steroid Management

Corticosteroid management of feline IBD requires careful dosing and monitoring to control inflammation while minimising steroid side effects.

Key Facts

Prednisolone is the most commonly used corticosteroid for feline IBD management
Initial dosing is at immunosuppressive levels before tapering to minimum effective dose
Side effects including increased thirst, urination, and appetite are common at higher doses
Long-term steroid use risks diabetes mellitus, particularly in obese cats
Combining chlorambucil with prednisolone allows lower steroid doses with better disease control

Welfare Considerations

Corticosteroid management of IBD involves a welfare trade-off between disease control and steroid side effects. High-dose steroids cause significant physiological changes including polydipsia, polyphagia, and muscle wasting that themselves reduce quality of life. Finding the minimum effective dose through careful tapering while monitoring disease response provides the best welfare outcome - adequate disease control at minimum side effect burden.

What You Can Do

Monitor your cat's body weight, appetite, and water intake during steroid treatment
Attend regular veterinary check-ups to adjust dosing as the minimum effective dose is established
Ask your vet about combination therapy to reduce steroid dose requirements