What's the issue with steroid cream?

[GinSoakedBarroomQueenInMemphis]

My dog is at the vet tomorrow for a hot spot (I had a thread on here earlier today about this). Having read a few more things on hot spots, I just came across a thread from a couple of weeks ago saying they refused steroid cream from the vet for a hot spot.

Please excuse my ignorance! but what's the issue with steroid cream? Is it not good for the dog/best avoided?

Putting cream on a hotspot isn't always the best thing to do, you want to dry it out.

Also, they're usually bacterial infections so you want antibiotics rather than anything else.

Haven't seen the thread though so no clue why that vet said no.

You might have been as well just asking on your other thread though seeing as I've answered on both, rofl.

Ah ok, thanks Tabulah!

Just to list a few reasons why not to use :
Increased hunger and thirst
Increased urination
Lethargy
Gastrointestinal problems, including ulcers
Hair loss
A pot belly, which often signals the presence of Cushing’s disease, a terrible condition that is known to result from steroid use
Blood clots
Diabetes
Pancreatitis
Secondary infections

Oh god, really? Thanks for all that info, much appreciated!

That's the side effects of taking oral steroids, not topical cream.

Thanks Tabulahrasa - you've been my doggy guru these past two days!

Vet outcome - definitely not a hot spot, yay! Looks like a bite or sting that dog has then scratched at and made worse.

Lol, I just have shoddy luck with pets...a dog with recurring hot spots and I did have a cat on steroids for 5 years.

Veterinary 'steroid cream' the most common one isaderm has antibiotics in it, where it is only a superficial pyoderma this is the first line treatment combined with cleaning with antibacterial such as hibiscrub under antibiotic prescription guidelines from the European college of veterinary dermatologists. Where there is a deep pyoderma it should be combined with cleaning and a first line systemic antibiotic.

It is also a result of using topical steroids. I have spoken to at least 4 vets and not a single person could confirm that this won't happen/this won't be the side effects. I would rather not take that chance with my dog.

Takesno there are extensive studies looking at levels of circulating cortisol after administering topical steriod creams, they all show no significant rise in circulating coritsol. I am surprised none of the vets you spoke to were aware of these studies. Rise in circulating blood cortisol is what leads to the side effects you are describing, so a large number of studies have shown that this not a concern.
Review of these studies is always a significant part of any dermatology CPD.

I have tried absolutely everything for my Rottweiler with hot spots costing hundreds of pounds at the vets, there was cream, hibiscrub, powder etc! We were told to put hydrocortisone cream on the areas after they were cleaned (used in humans for eczema and bites) it cleared up within days. But don't use it for longer than 7 days!! It's absolutely fab stopped him scratching within 20 mins

He also had antibiotics which didn't clear them up either

Tibby - mine is a rottie as well, I've been told they're prone to them and that the dust mite allergy is common too... By vets I mean, not randomly, lol.

So it might be worth investigating it rather than just treating them if they carry appearing.

Tabula he had scrapings taken and they were came back that they were just hot spots and he does only gets them maybe once every blue moon. This last time though he was so distressed and would not wear a cone and was constantly scratching. He is fine now and they have completely cleared up and his fur has grown back. We were recommended hydrocortisone by his hydrotherapist (I know I know he is very spoilt and has had spinal problems) not randomly ha ha ha so thought we would give it a go and it worked for him ... But it's always safe to have the vet check them out first

Not a dog but people using steroids, my dd developed Cushings after taking oral steroids, but I haven't after using topical steroid cream. My only concern with topical steroids is it thins the skin, so should be used sparingly and not for long periods of time.

Mine has spinal problems too, rofl. (He has other medical issues too, but it just amused me that we both have Rotties with spinal problems and hotspots)

He had actual skin prick testing at a dermatologists rather than just scrapings as they were just hot spots, but, they were reoccurring every few weeks, too often for it to be for no reason.

I love Rottweilers but they do tend to have a few problems. Have a look on YouTube he is nearly famous ha ha ha "Benson Rottweiler Hydrotherapy"
What a coincidence lol ....
No the vets only sent scrapings off and to be honest they weren't the best with his spinal problems so we took the recommendation from the hydrotherapist and they haven't returned since.

what did the dermatologist recommend for you? It's not nice to see them agitated is it? When they can't settle. Poor puppy

Oh mine has so many problems it's not even funny, elbow dysplasia, spinal pain, NSAIDs gave him a symptomless perforated ulcer so they had to remove half his stomach before it killed him...and it's all combined in him having behavioural issues with other dogs and strangers.

Now a blooming dust mite allergy

He's on tablets - Apoquel, he's been hotspot free for about 2 months which is the longest in a year, so, looking good so far.

It's horrible for him when he gets one, he's so bothered by them and they're round his neck so a collar is no use.

Just to put it in perspective, his first elbow went as a puppy, he had surgery - was completely unbothered by it, the first we knew of the spinal pain was him becoming reactive, his second elbow went, I didn't notice, it took 3 days to diagnose his perforated ulcer (why it was such an emergency) because he just didn't seem that ill...he's so stoic it's ridiculous.

First hotspot I rushed him to the vets thinking it was a deadly reaction to his then painkillers figured if I could tell something was wrong it must be terrible.

He's a nightmare with them, panting, pacing, licking at his leg, they make him more miserable than any other issue he's ever had, lol.

Oh my goodness sounds like both you and your poor boy have had an awful time!

I have to agree when they can't settle neither can we and yes hot spots seemed to bother mine more than anything else

At least now he seems to be ok and if he is 2 months hot spot free something must be doing the trick

Good luck with him I truly hope he has a healthy life from now he surely has gone through enough you both deserve it

He's not long had a birthday, so if we can get through this year without a visit to a specialist vet it'll be the best year he's had, rofl...it's a fairly small goal, but that's what I'm hoping for.

He's a great dog, I mean mostly, if he'd been healthy he'd be fantastic, but he's still pretty great, as long as I keep him away from dogs and keep paying his insurance anyway

But yes, the hotspots are the thing that's bothered him most, he's so miserable with them, so I'm glad the tablets seem succesful so far.