Steroid use in small animal practice

Steroids are some of the most prescribed medications in small animal practice. In this session, gain an overview of steroids, as along with their benefits and disadvantages. Understand when it’s reasonable to do a treatment trial, how to choose the dosage, and how to deal with side effects.

This session originally was presented at AVMA Convention 2023.

Learning Objectives:  

• Understand when to use steroids.
• Review proper dosing of steroids.

Dr. Lawren Durocher-Babek earned her DVM from the University of Georgia and completed her internal medicine residency at The Ohio State University. She became certified in hospice and palliative care through the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care in 2019. Her areas of special interest include hospice and palliative care, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and endocrinopathies. Her research into ketosis in diabetic dogs earned her the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine’s National Residency Research Award. She has practiced in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Hong Kong.