Behrend EN & Kemppainen RJ
Glucocorticoid therapy. Pharmacology, indications, and complications.

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 27(2): 187-213, 1997
ISSN: 0195-5616 The Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice (PubMed)

Abstract
Glucocorticoids are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medication in veterinary medicine, with numerous applications ranging from physiologic replacement therapy to immunosuppression. Due to the presence of glucocorticoid receptors in almost all cells, both the desired and undesired effects of glucocorticoid therapy are manifold. This article discusses the physiologic alterations possible with glucocorticoid therapy, glucocorticoid pharmacology, nonendocrine indications, and different therapeutic strategies. The adverse reactions potentially associated with glucocorticoid therapy also are examined.