Embarresing steroid question

[MUDDYBOOTS]

Benson has scabs behind his ears,only noticed them a few days ago and took him to the vets who said he had ear mites and a mild ear infection,gave him a steroid injection and antibiotic injection and gave me canaural eardrops and fuciderm gel to rub on his scabs which have been caused by him scratching his ears.
I read the leaflets listing all the side effects that the steroids in both medications can cause .Big mistake ,now I'm scared to use them.Just read Nicolas thread about poor Rodaidh and peoples concerns about steroids confirmed my worries.Is this just for long term use.
 

[spanielcrazy]

Don't be embarrased  Side effects are just possibilities, and someone using steriods could experience some, none or (remotely rare) all. The most common one that dogs experience is increased thirst and urination, which rights itself after they come off the steroids.

Most of the trouble is from long term use, again not everyone will have a problem. In Bensons case, the steroids break that scratch cycle and help relieve the inflammation, which greatly helps heal it.

Topical steroids which are put on the skin (in ear drops and lotions) are very helpful and the least harmful. I wouldn't be afraid to use them, the amount of steroids in them is usually 1% or so, very little of that is absorbed through the skin, and again, stop the itching and relieve the inflammation. 

[Nicola]

Sorry Rodaidh's thread panicked you! On there I'm referring more to potential issues from long-term steroid use because with Ro's allergies treatment is life-long which is why I'm trying to avoid steroids. He has however had several steroid injections this year and short-term use of steroid cream to clear up the bad flare ups of eczema he gets on his paws, as Michelle says it breaks the itch-scratch cycle so it gets a chance to heal. His main side effect from the injections is increased appetite, he's absolutely ravenous for up to a week afterwards, the cream doesn't appear to have any side effects at all as the steroid content is really very low.

[MUDDYBOOTS]

Thanks for the advice and reassurance,I have put his cream on,going to try and get drops in next which should be fun .I know thousands of people must use these products every week but looked at a few web sights and paranoir kicked in ,especialy with Benson being so young.

Nichola,I do hope you find whats best for poor Rodaidh