Which Allergy Medicines For Dogs Are Best
Dogs have allergies too, you know. They have itchy eyes and skin and sneeze just like us. With some dogs it can be so severe they require a prescription, but most are just fine with an over-the-counter solution. There are a few types of medication that can be most beneficial depending on your dogs situation.
The best allergy medicine for dogs is Apoquel Tablets For Dogs. This medication treats the most common form of dog allergies, skin irritation, quickly and with minimal-to-no side effects.
Can I Give My Dog A Decongestant
Experts warn against a decongestant for dogs. Like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, decongestants can be life-threatening for dogs and can cause vomiting, severe blood pressure changes, abnormal heart rates and rhythms, tremors, and seizures.
Seek veterinary care immediately if your dog accidentally ingests any kind of decongestant
What Prescriptions Are Available For Dogs With Allergies
For dogs with chronic or severe allergies, several prescription medications, which are also used to treat humans, may be prescribed by your vet. If you have a prescription for a commonly prescribed allergy medicine, be sure to check RxSaver for a prescription drug coupon. You can use an RxSaver coupon on prescriptions from veterinarians at pharmacies.
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Allergy Symptoms For Dogs
Dogs and humans often experience similar symptoms when it comes to allergies. When dogs get allergies, you may notice:
- Skin irritation
- Rubbing of the face and muzzles
- Biting their legs or paws
If you dont treat the symptoms properly, skin infection and hair loss may occur.
Keep in mind that constant scratching can cause open wounds, which in turn makes them susceptible to infections leading to hot spots. If your dog has severe allergic reactions, they can get hives and anaphylactic shock. Like in humans, anaphylactic shock in dogs can be dangerous and life-threatening.
If you observe any sudden diarrhea, seizures, and vomiting, then youd better get your dog to the vet right away! If you check your dog’s gums and notice that they are paler than normal instead of a healthy pink, then it means your dog may be suffering from shock. You can take a look at their paws to feel the temperature. With symptoms of shock, their paws might be cool to touch.
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Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil By Natural Dog Company
Made in the USA, Natural Dog Companys natural oil is formulated with only one ingredient: pure salmon oil, which naturally includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids aid dogs overall health by supporting heart health, cognitive abilities, joint and muscle health, and immune systems.
The fatty acid gives dogs softer coats, and allows them to experience less itching and shedding something some Amazon customers saw in their canine companions after dosing dogs with this oil.
This salmon oil shouldnt be served to dogs with fish allergies.
Ingredients: Wild Alaskan salmon oil.
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Ease Your Pups Allergy Symptoms With Benadryl
Benadryl is safe for your pet and will help with their allergies or other symptoms. If you are considering Benadryl for your dog, it is vital that you make sure to give them the right dose.
If you are wary of giving your dog Benadryl, you have options. Natural alternatives to Benadryl for alleviating your dogs allergy symptoms include quercetin, CBD, and baking soda.
If you are still unsure about which method is best for you and your pet, consult your veterinarian.
For Dogs: Allergy Meds
The most common over-the-counter medications for allergies in dogs are antihistamines. They can provide great relief for some, but not all will pups benefit. Check with the Fuzzy Veterinary team first to be sure it wont interfere with other medical conditions or medications. You can give your dog Benadryl 2-3 times daily at 1mg per pound of body weight. For instance, a 12-pound dog can receive 12mg, which is equal to one childrens Benadryl or ½ an adult dose. A 50-pound dog would need 50mg, or two adult Benadryl. Benadryl may cause drowsiness. Zyrtec or Claritin can be given once to twice daily. The adult tablets are both 10mg. Dogs under 10 pounds should get no more than 5mg, or ½ of a tablet. Those weighing 10-50 pounds should get 10mg, and heavy dogs can take up to 20mg. There are newer medications to treat pet itchiness that are available through your veterinarian.
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Immunotherapy: The Gold Standard In Treating Environmental Allergies In Dogs
When it comes to treating environmental allergies in dogs, the gold standard is immunotherapy. Similar to allergy shots in people, this treatment works by slowly exposing the dogs immune system to the allergen until the immune system no longer reacts to it.
The immunotherapy is given as an injection under the skin once every one to three weeks or as a medication that is given under the tongue every 12 hours.
Benefits of immunotherapy as an allergy medication for dogs
There are many benefits of immunotherapy. Instead of suppressing the immune system, the treatment is directly targeted to the allergens that specifically trigger that dogs immune system. A skin test or blood test is used to determine which allergens are a problem for that dog, and the immunotherapy is customized based on that information.
Between 50% to 80% of dogs on immunotherapy show improvement in allergy symptoms after a year of treatment.
Downsides to immunotherapy as a medication for dogs with allergies
There are some downsides to immunotherapy. First, because the immune system is being stimulated instead of suppressed, there is a low risk of a serious allergic reaction. Second, therapy is a lengthy process, usually taking between six to 12 months. B ecause no standard protocol exists, results can vary, and dogs may need to remain on immunotherapy for the rest of their lives to maintain control of their environmental allergies.
The bottom line on immunotherapy for dogs with environmental allergies
How Do I Know Whats Causing My Dogs Allergies
Consulting with your vet is the best way to determine what your dog is allergic to. But you can also do an at-home dog allergy test to discover if your dog has any insensitivities to many food ingredients and environmental allergens.
If you use an at-home allergy test, discuss the results with your vet so they can confirm the results and recommend the most appropriate allergy treatment for your dog.
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Common Otc Medicine For Canine Allergies
Below is a list of common allergy medicines and what they do for your pupper. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before giving any medication that you can get over the counter.
Antihistamines perhaps the most common and well-known allergy medication is the antihistamine. Lets discuss what histamine is to fully understand what this medication does.
Histamines are chemicals that your immune system makes to tame allergens. Lets say a sneeze, runny nose, etc. those are both ways your body is trying to rid of the allergen that is invading it.
When allergens enter your body, your immune system responds to them as if they are foreign invaders that are harmful to you. Then the mast cells in your dogs body release histamines to boost blood to the areas of concern. This blood flow causes inflammation, which then causes your dogs body to repair the surrounding area. Because histamines are also in your gut, they also respond to food allergies. Some common antihistamines are:
All of these medications are deemed safe as long as there are no other additives, so make sure you read the label carefully and consult with your veterinarian before use. It is also good to note that some of these medications can make your pet drowsy or hyperactive.
Sprays, gels, ointments For many environmental allergies, the harm lies in how the dog licks, bites, and scratches at the area of concern. This can often result in a secondary infection or inflammation at the very least.
Can I Give My Dog Liquid Benadryl
Benadryl comes in different forms that range from pills, liquid, or even Benadryl treats specifically designed for dogs. When you are giving your dog this type of medication it is important to first speak with your vet. Your veterinarian will have a better understanding of the current health of your dog and any possible issues. Your vet will give you a recommended dosage of Benadryl based on the overall weight of your dog. This dosage will be in milligrams . Once you know how many milligrams you can give to your dog, you must look at the label of your Benadryl to understand how much to give to your dog.
Liquid Benadryl or tablets will both list how many milligrams are within one serving. You should use this number as a reference in order to give your dog the correct and safe amount.
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Conventional Treatments For Dog Allergies
Its up to you and your vet to rule out the best treatment plan for your dog. The vet may recommend certain medications or suggest a special diet for dogs with allergies.
However, any modifications in the dogs diet should be introduced gradually. Another important factor to consider is the quality of ingredients in the so-called hypo-allergenic food. Many of these products contain MSG, which has been known to cause brain damage in dogs. The best practice is to buy and prepare the food yourself in order to gain control over your dogs nutrition.
If your dogs allergies call for medications, here are a few that are typically used by vets.
Allergy Vaccines
Allergy injections are sometimes recommended by vets as a way of helping your dog strengthen the immune system against certain allergens, instead of just masking the symptoms. These allergy vaccines may help reduce the severity of symptoms over time, although the first few days may be challenging for the dog, as theyre trying to create a sufficient amount of antibodies. However, vaccines may be a risky option if the dog has a weak immune system or has comorbid conditions.
Antihistamines
Immunomodulators
Your vet may recommend drugs formulated to modulate immune response or suppress the immune system. In severe cases, cortisone drugs may be prescribed. However, cortisone should never be used without a vets supervision, as they are very potent medications that entail considerable side effects.
Dietary Supplements
Top 15 Safe Human Meds For Dogs
Its important to note that many factors can render safe human medications to be unsafe for dogs. These factors include your dog’s overall health, other medications being taken, breed, size, and age. You should never give anything to your pet that is not intended for them without consulting a veterinarian first.
You will also notice that as per dosage warnings among the safe human meds for dogs below, we have NOT included any dosing information this is done intentionally. It’s unlikely these medications will have a dosage mentioned for animal use on their back label, and you should never rely on the internet to give you veterinary advice. Call your vet and get your dog the professional advice before using any human medications.
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Discover Delicious Food Your Dog Deserves
If your dog is prescribed antihistamines you will need to try them for 2-3 weeks to see if it helps. If it doesnt, youll need to stop giving it to your dog and try another until you find one that works, following the advice of your vet.
There are also a number of potential side effects your dog might have after taking antihistamines, including drowsiness, an tummy upset, hyperactivity, drooling and an increased heart rate.
This is in general though, and antihistamines arent safe for every dog to take depending on their specific needs or underlying health conditions. You must always check with your vet if antihistamines are safe for your individual dog before you give them any.
There are some antihistamines formulated for use in pets and these are generally safe to use as long as you follow the recommended dosage from your vet. However, your vet might prescribe human antihistamines that you can get over the counter at pharmacies. So are these still safe for your dog?
Make Sure It Is Allergies
First thing you want to do is to talk to your vet to confirm that your pet has allergies, and not something else. The symptoms are broad and can look like other diseases. Allergies can also be made worse by a number of underlying conditions, so lets just cross everything else off. We also want to be sure that your pet hasnt developed infections from all the itching and licking, or developed other allergy-related health conditions. Depending on the severity of allergies, your vet may recommend a visit to a veterinary dermatologist.
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Can I Give My Dog Claritin
Yes, you can give your dog Claritin because the medication is generally safe and beneficial. However, we recommend giving your veterinarian a quick call first.
This is because the Claritin formula you have in the medicine cabinet may be too strong for your dog or contain potentially harmful ingredients. Plus, a veterinarian should review your dogs medical history before approving Claritins use.
Can Dogs Take Claritin
Claritin is an antihistamine for humans, also known as loratadine. Claritin can be safely given to your dog as long as you have approval from your vet and are following their instructions.
The right dose of Claritin will be based on your dogs weight, so your vet can help you figure out the perfect amount to give him.
Youll also want to make sure to avoid Claritin thats dissolvable since it could contain xylitol, which is a common ingredient thats toxic to dogs.
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Allergy Medicine To The Rescue
Your dog hates his allergies as much as you might hate your own. So youre probably wondering if theres allergy medicine you can give your dog to help soothe his symptoms.
The Dodo spoke with Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinary consultant with Dog Lab, and Dr. Linda Simon, a veterinary surgeon and veterinary consultant for Five Barks, to find out everything you need to know about allergy medicine for dogs.
Oclacitinib : A Newer Allergy Medication For Dogs
Oclacitinib is a relatively new medication for treating allergies in dogs. Apoquel works by blocking the action of JAK1 and JAK3, molecules normally used to transmit the itch and inflammation signal created in response to an allergen. This translates to less itching and inflammation for your allergic dog.
Like the dog in the before and after photos below, most allergy patients respond to Apoquel very quickly. Its highly effective in quelling the itching, as well as managing the allergies long term.
Initially, the medication is given twice a day for two weeks and then tapered to once a day for maintenance. Some dogs show an increase in symptoms when they go from the twice-a-day dose to the once-a-day dosing. If you notice your dog is becoming more itchy again, speak to your veterinarian for guidance on how to proceed.
Possible side effects of Apoquel
Like any medication, there is a risk of side effects. However, the number of dogs who experienced side effects was very low compared with other medications.
Because Apoquel does block a chemical signal in the immune system, there is a risk of suppressing the immune system at high doses. However, since Apoquel has a more specific target than other medications such as cyclosporine or steroids, there is a comparatively lower risk of immunosuppression.
Apoquel: full disclosure
The bottom line on Apoquel for dogs
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How Much Zyrtec Should You Give Your Dog
The safest way to determine how much Zyrtec to give to your dog is to consult with your veterinarian. Usually, dog owners will give their pets one tablet a day, but the amounts can be different depending on the dog’s symptoms and size. This means that the type of symptoms that you are trying to get rid of will determine how much you give to your four-legged friends.
Owners are most successful in administering the medication by putting the tablet inside of a treat. If you provide the proper amount, your dog will be less likely to experience those unfavorable side effects from the medication. However, a high dosage can stimulate adverse symptoms, so its best to consult with your vet for the proper daily dosage.
Are There Natural Antihistamines
Antihistamines can be found naturally in various foods and plants. For example, stinging nettles have an antihistamine effect, but dont go rubbing them on your pooch or youll make them agitated and itchy! Instead, stinging nettle will need to be taken as a tea or a herbal supplement to benefit from the antihistamine effect.
Another natural antihistamine is bromelain which can be found in pineapple or as a herbal supplement and has an antihistamine effect. You might also find a supplement called quercetin which can also be found in apple skin and works similarly. But eating some apple or pineapple wont fix your dogs itching because there isnt enough active antihistamine inside it to help them. Antihistamines as a supplement or a medication are much more effective because the antihistamine has been isolated and concentrated.
Although it isnt an antihistamine, omega-3 works wonders on many pups with allergies and its perfectly safe to use, even if your dog has another condition or medication. Omega-3 can be found naturally in some foods, like oily fish, but its also readily available as a safe supplement. Omega-3 doesnt have an antihistamine effect, but it does have an anti-inflammatory effect and it has a proven benefit for pups with allergies, especially when its given to them alongside antihistamines.
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