All the brachycephalic breeds are prone to asthma. Not just Bostons, but also French bulldogs, bull dogs, certain spaniels. Have you done any online research to find other ways to deal with it? Steroids are extremely hard on the body, and having to use them long term as you have described is going to have an impact on the body. There are things you can do to compensate, giving SAM - E, and Milk Thistle, for example. I highly recommend you find a holistic vet near you and take the dog in, see what that specialist can suggest.

Hip dysplasia, yes, my Willy has this, my RB Marlin had it as well. I use the monthly Adequan shots, it helped Marlin for 4 years and was fantastic. It is also helping Willy. There is a start up period of 2 shots per week for 4 weeks; after that, you go to what the dog needs, most are every 4 weeks. You can save money by getting a prescription from your vet, and ordering the Adequan online at Drs. Foster and Smith. I was able to give Marlin his shots here at home (My Dad is diabetic, I gave him his insulin shots, so I was used to giving injections, just needed the vet tech to show me where to give it and how to avoid the nerve). Willy, on the other hand, has to go in for a vet tech appointment monthly, as he will bite me if I try to give the shot. He is FINE with the tech, silly boy! A vet tech appt is less costly than a vet appointment, so that helps, too. Willy had xrays in Sept 2013, he has extensive arthritis in both hips and both knees, with his left side much worse than his right. So the Adequan treats the inflammation and pain from that as well.

My dogs and cats are rescues, so having health issues are common here. Willy has chronic dry eye (there is a long technical name, but that is what it is like, dry eye) so he has to have eye drops. He has prescription drops morning and night, and artificial tears every 2 hours or so all day long.

My RB Sugar had a recurring nasal polyp, and had lavage for that 5 times in the 5. 5 years she lived with me.

All you can do is love them, keep them comfortable, and enjoy the time you have with them.