Aristocort etc. (triamcinolone) is a synthetic corticosteroid which is used to treat a variety of animal health issues, including allergic reactions, arthritis, colitis and lupus.
Although steroids can be remarkably fast-acting, life saving drugs, they often cause many unwanted side effects. Some of the more common side effects include weight gain, high blood pressure, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), increased risk of diabetes, and an increased risk of infection.