Glucocorticoids In Veterinary Medicine

Glucocorticoids are 21 carbon compounds having cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene (steroid) nucleus ring. These hormones are synthesized in the adrenal cortical cells (zona fasciculata). Among glucocorticoids, hydrocortisone predominates in man, horses, pigs, sheep and cats, and corticosterone predominates in rabbits, mice and rats. Dogs secrete these two hormones in approximately in equal amounts. Glucocorticoids potently suppress inflammation, and their usefulness in a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases making them among the most frequently pre scribed classes of drugs. Because they exert effects on almost every organ system, the clinical use of and withdrawal from corticosteroids are complicated by a number of serious side effects, some of which are life-threatening. Therefore, the decision to institute therapy with corticosteroids always requires careful consideration of the relative risks and benefits in each patient.