Can a steroid shot kill my cat?

by Niki
(Illinois)

My 17 year old cat was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis 6 weeks ago. They started her on Prednisone every other day. There was some improvement in her symptoms but getting her to take the pill consistently was difficult.


The vet just gave her a steroid shot three days ago. Now she is listless, hiding, labored breathing and not eating.

Can the steroid shot kill my cat?

The vet is closed because it is Thanksgiving. I am worried sick. I am taking her in first thing tomorrow morning.

The vet said the only side effect could be diabetes. Could this start that quickly?? Are these the symptoms? Anyone have a similar experience?

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May 06, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		My cat died after steroid shot
by: Anonymous

Cat was sneezing but other than that was fine. Vet gave steroid shot. During the night some time she started having trouble breathing. By the time he woke me up up hollering and I got him to er clinic he died.
Apr 25, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steriods
by: Megan

Your vet should always check an older cats heart before administering a steroid shot. I had a vet tell me he's fine and my orange tabby only had asthma. Long story short he disregarded the enlarged heart and contributed greatly to my cats heart disease. By the time to got him to an excellent vet his 26 mm heart needed to be maintained on heart meds. My current vet kept him going for over a year.


Some tips before agreeing to a steroid shot. ALWAYS ask to see the xray and get blood work done before. If a vet gives you a difficult time over wanting to know and see results, Find a different vet. Steroids are not always bad but other illnesses that steroids can impact negatively need to be checked for first. Especially in older cats.
Oct 13, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		No steroids!
by: Jenn

My cat was sneezing so the vet gave her a shot of antibiotics and steroids. The next day she was having laboured breathing. Took her to the ER and they said it was asthma and gave her more of both. She wasn’t responding so they gave her a big dose of steroids, her breathing got worse, she couldn’t breath and I made the decision to help her cross the rainbow bridge. I feel so broken, she was a healthy beautiful girl and because of steroids she is gone and had a horrible death. I wish I saw this page before. I’ve lost three fur babies this year and this was the absolute worst. I miss my sweet Sophia and I’m so sorry.
May 01, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Cats steroid shot
by: Stevie

My fur baby little girl Summer had a steroid shot on a Monday. She hadn't pooped after that for 4 days. I called the Doctor on Wed. because that was highly unusual for her. 2 or 3 times a day is regular for her. It really worried me because she was so sick. Sleeping all the time. Not being able to play. Lethargic. Just not herself and not sleeping in bed on her pillow with me. Her doctor. Comes to our house. I'm giving her Maralax which took 2 days to work and she is still having problems going. But thank God when she did go it was an instant change in her. She's my world, when she's sick or unhappy than so am I.
Mar 20, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steroid shot killed my cat too
by: Anonymous

My cat was sick and 12 years old. I was going to put him down because he was sick. My vet talked me into bloodwork and then a steroid shot. Within 3 hours he was crying and having explosive vomiting and diarrhea. We had to rush him to the emergency vet to be put down. He was in pain.

Why did the vet do it. She had to have known. I was just sick he suffered those hours. Listen to your gut. I didn’t. Never again. No steroids for my pets.
Jan 26, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steroid shot my cat died
by: Tina

I I took my cat Fatty to the vet because he hurt his back. He was 18 and this had happened before from jumping around. I asked the vet if there was a shot that would help the pain. He was walking when I took him in. That was Monday. He passed away Tuesday night in my arms. Then I read all these horror stories about a steroid shot. Now I feel so guilty. I was we one who asked for something to help him and now he's gone.
Jun 16, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steroid shot - never!!!
by: Anonymous

Do not use steroids on cats! My cat had a reaction to it, enlarged heart, was euthanized in 2 days. I still can't forgive myself for trusting the vet.
Nov 28, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		I'm sorry for your loss
by: Kurt (Admin)

I'm sorry to hear that you had to let Addy go. RIP Addy.

If you're up to it, you're welcome to create a memorial for her at https://www.cat-lovers-only.com/rainbow-bridge.html
Nov 27, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		had to say goodbye today
by: Niki

Thank you for sharing your ideas and well wishes.

Unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to my Addy today. I took her into the vet and he said the only option was to let her suffer and slowly die at home or to euthanize her.... She was having extremely labored breathing and still wasn't eating. She would walk up to her bowl but would just walk away.... He suspected heart disease that didn't show up at the ER or was too early to detect at that point so he did another set. Everything on x-rays still looked good. He suspected cancer or a tumor along with the bronchitis. After he put her to sleep, he scoped her, and found a large mass on her larynx that was keeping it nearly closed. RIP my sweet girl xoxo.
Nov 25, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steroid shot
by: Crazu cat lady

I have had a cat become diabetic from a steroid shot. I have also heard that some cats have other, even more dangerous reactions, but they are extremely rare.

Yes, cats can live to over 20, but 17 is an old cat by any count.

I would say that you are doing the right thing by taking her back to the vet. I had a cat that for years wheezed, but every vet said that it wasn't in his chest. It is quite possible that your baby has developed a problem, and maybe the steroid shot made it worse, or maybe it made whatever was going on better so this manifested in its place.

Cats are masters of hiding illness. Keep an eye on her, keep taking her to the vet. Nobody knows your cat better than you do, you are with her, not the vets.

Best of luck with your baby.
Nov 25, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Steroid shot
by: Jane Wade

Two weeks ago my cat got a steroid shot for fleas. She was miserable and now is doing fine.

I sure hope your kitty will get well quick! Keep us posted.
Nov 25, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pawsitive thoughts
by: Kurt (Admin)

I'm glad to hear your cat is doing better. I hope the vet can figure this out and get her on the road to good health again.
Nov 25, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Vet wasn't sure what's going on
by: Anonymous

I wanted to update that my cat is improving slightly. I took her in to the ER vet. The vet thought she was having heart failure. They checked oxygen levels, heart, did x-rays, and blood work. Everything came back normal except an enlarged heart. It wasn't enlarged in her last x-rays two months ago. The vet also said it is possible she doesn't have bronchitis but maybe polyps or cancer since her breathing sounds seem congested in the throat and nose and not her lungs. My cat is back home now and has started eating a little. She also has been coming out of her hiding spots which is good to see. She still sounds raspy when putting and sometimes when breathing. I will be taking her back to the vet to get a scope to see what is going on. Maybe she will start feeling better as he shot wears off....
Nov 24, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Heart problems?
by: Kurt (Admin)

I'm sorry to hear your cat is ill. Other readers have reported problems after their cats received steroid injections.

Please see this question on cats with heart problems and steroid treatment.

If my cat had these symptoms especially labored breathing, following a steroid shot, I'd assume it might be congestive heart failure. I would contact an emergency vet asap.

I hope your cat recovers quickly.

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