Overdose of steroids via shot

[wagonerc71]

I took our dog in for a "routine" about every 3-6 months depending on the severity of the itching for an "allergy" shot last Friday.  I am aware of the increased urination and "sleepiness" after the shot, but the next morning he was lethargic and nearly impossible to wake up. We weathered the weekend, he was eating then, but was definitely not the same dog as he had been after his previous injections. It progressively worsened and I took him back to the vets on the 14th and saw a different vet. She did a physical exam and discovered enlarged lymph nodes in his chest and suggested it could be one of three things...organ system failure of kidneys or liver, or Cushings. She suggested blood work. Due to his age and his extreme hatred of going to the vet and the obvious outlook for the three suggested problems, we are choosing to keep him with us at home as comfortable as possible until his passing. He is drinking water profusely, not eating much, not really pooping much. I have been walking him limitedly in the evenings as the heat is in the 100's here, but he loves his walks, although we've noticed a weakness in the back end. I have given him some low sodium chicken broth and loved on him alot. What else might we do to make his life more comfortable at this end period of his life? He does not appear to be in pain and his mood is gentle and only seems a bit bewildered.

[wagonerc71]

Thanks Ms.Cheng for your response. He has since gotten weaker and a dark skin lesion on his right flank spontaneously ruptured Saturday. The fluid was blood tinged, but not purulent (I am a medical technologist-hematology dept), so I did a smear. There were no white cells, a few reds and some skin contaminants. I have been feeding him emulsified food, but when he occasionally throws it up, I am finding hard pieces of food in the vomit. I am wondering if his digestion has slowed down? He has not had solid food for over a week. He is still drinking water, is weak, but walking and urinating okay. Sorry but I really don't have any faith in these vets now and would rather make him comfortable, love on him and let him go in his own time.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The second vet was correct.  Steroids can cause Cushing's syndrome.  Additionally, enlarged lymph nodes can signify Lymphoma.

A fine needle aspirate of one of the enlarged lymph nodes would hopefully give you a diagnosis, as would the blood work.  A low dose dexamethasone test, or ACTH stim test could diagnose Cushing's disease.  

Even if your dog does not love the vet, if he has Cushing's syndrome, the appropriate medication can help to decrease his excessive drinking, and urination, and correct his other problems and improve his quality of life for the time he has left.

[wagonerc71]

Pepper ended up having seizures yesterday afternoon after I got home from work. He had quit drinking water and was obviously walking around confused. After some soul searching we went to the local Pet ER. They ran some blood tests and discovered a glucose >600; elevated amylase, GGT, liver enzymes, WBC=23,000, 93% neutrophils and hgb 12.5. She
palpated a large mass in his abdomen roughly the area of the pancreas.
We discussed our options and since he had a good life and we had loved on him profusely these last days, we decided to let him go in peace.
Even the vet techs cried with us. I just wish my vet had done some labwork back a few months ago and we would have avoided the steroid shot which exacerbated the pancreatitis and speeded his demise. Thanks so much for your input.  RIP Pepper 9/20/1996-6/21/2011