Why Cant I Use Human Allergy Medicine For Dogs
Actually, veterinarians do sometimes prescribe human allergy medicine to dogs. Since dogs are mammals too, they are similar to us in a number of ways, and so with your vets permission, you can turn to over-the-counter drugs. You will, however, have to adjust the dosage depending on your dogs size, and you should note that certain side-effects like drowsiness, for instance, affect some pets more than others.
However, more and more antihistamines found at pharmacies today contain additional chemicals, namely decongestants, included to help treat common allergy symptoms. For the most part, any allergy medicine containing D in the namethink Claritin-Dcan cause your dog a great deal of pain.
Which Allergy Medicine Should My Dogs Avoid? The following brands are safe to give to dogs: Benadryl, Chlortrimeton , Claritin, and Tavist. On the other hand, make sure you stay far away from Actifed, Claritin-D, Contac, Sudafed, Tavist-D, and any other medications that contain decongestants
In any case, make sure to consult your veterinarian before administering any medications. If your dog does ingest over-the-counter allergy pills with decongestants, make sure to call an animal hospital immediately.
Will Loratadine Make My Dog Drowsy
Loratadine does not cross the blood-brain barrier in dogs, so it should not cause drowsiness in your furry friend.
If your dog does experience any drowsiness when offered Claritin, it could be a sign that their body is having a hard time metabolizing the medication properly.
This could be due to having liver or kidney disease, or even due to taking other medications that interact with the antihistamine.
If your dog is suddenly drowsy or lethargic after starting Claritin, we suggest reaching out to your vet for guidance.
They may be able to offer a simple explanation based on your dogs medical history, adjust their dosing as needed, or even suggest performing diagnostics to rule out any underlying conditions.
How Much Claritin Can I Give My Dog
The dosage will be between 5 and 10mg, calculated according to your dogs weight. Again, best to check with your vet rather than the internet.
Claritin can cause side effects including vomiting and diarrhoea. Some dogs might seem drowsy, but thats actually unlikely with Claritin because it doesnt enter the brain. If your dog has just swallowed more Claritin than intended, the effects could range from drowsiness and vomiting to seizures and fever .
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Is Claritin Safe For All Dogs
While Claritin for dogs is commonly prescribed for allergy relief, it can be fatal for pets suffering from certain conditions or currently on other drugs. Loratadine formulations shouldnt be given to:
- Dogs ailing from liver, kidney, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca disease
- Loratadine sensitive or allergic dogs
- Dogs on other contraindicated drugs such as cimetidine antacid, erythromycin antibiotics, or ketoconazole antifungal drugs
Precautions When Giving Your Dog Claritin
So, can my pets take Claritin for allergies? They can, but you should discuss with a vet first. At the same time, this is a medication. It is not a natural supplement. All medications out there come with potential side effects, so there are a few precautions to take in consideration.
If your dog is under other treatments, make sure all the medication you give is safe. For example, if something could react with Claritin, you must avoid it. On the same note, if your dog suffers from any liver infections, it pays off talking to your vet first. Address this issue upfront.
Claritin is available in a few different forms. While you can also find it in formulations, stick to the classic pills. Formulations have decent amounts of alcohol, which are not really safe for your dog. Plus, they can cause all kinds of reactions. The pill is more difficult to administer, but it represents the best option.
Make sure you never mix Claritin with other antihistamines. Claritin is normally safe for dogs. When mixed with other antihistamines, your dog is likely to end up with an overdose. It is also worth noting that certain substances like erythromycin or cimetidine will react with Claritin. While healthy dogs not undergoing any treatments should stick to Claritin, there are situations when Benadryl could be the better option. Again, discuss it with your vet first.
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Side Effects Of Claritin For Dogs
Unlike traditional antihistamines, Claritin doesnt usually cause drowsiness or hyperactivity. That said, your dog might show the following side effects after ingesting Claritin.
- Urinary retention
The side effects are usually not lethal, and should resolve after some time. Symptoms of Claritin overdose include hyperactivity, depression, and/or rapid heart rate.
Allergy Shots For Dogs
Allergy shots for dogs can be anti-itch shots, which treat your pups symptoms for several weeks at a time, or immunotherapy shots, which desensitize him to the allergens that affect him.
When it comes to anti-itch allergy shots for dogs, both vets we spoke to recommended Cytopoint.
Cytopoint is an injection that works to reduce your pups itching. One injection can last four to six weeks.
If your pup has environmental allergies, you might want to consider immunotherapy.
With immunotherapy, your vet will actually create an injectable serum for your dog that contains a small amount of the allergen hes sensitive to. These shots will help him build up a tolerance to that allergen until his immune system is so used to handling it that hes essentially no longer allergic to it.
Basically, immunotherapy shots work to treat your dogs underlying environmental allergies as opposed to just treating the symptoms, so they can be a more permanent solution. They arent super effective for every dog, though, and in some cases they might not work at all or only prevent your dogs allergies from getting worse. Talk to your vet if youre interested in this treatment option for your pet.
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Are Antihistamines For Dogs Safe To Use
Antihistamines are safe to use in dogs when the correct dosages are followed. As many over-the-counter antihistamines may also contain a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine, it is important to read the ingredient list prior to giving it to your dog. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine are toxic to dogs and need to be avoided.
Claritin Overdose In Dogs
Though unlikely when given the correct type of Claritin, overdoses are possible and potentially very dangerous for dogs. The side effects listed above will become very obvious and a high enough dosage could possibly lead to a stroke.
It is very hard to watch your dog suffer through allergy season. He cant tell you how he feels but you can see in his big, red, runny eyes that all is not right in his world. Claritin may bring both you and your pup a measure of relief when the winds of spring and fall roll clouds of pollen into town, but always consult with your veterinarian first.
If Claritin is not the right choice for your dog, there are other antihistamines used to treat human allergies, including Benadryl and Zyrtec . As always, consult your vet before distributing any of these medications to see what is the safest and best choice for your dog.
Regardless of whether hes a Great Dane, a Golden Retriever or a Miniature Poodle, your dog is unique, 100% one-of-a-kind, and he may react to any medication in a number of different ways regardless of size or breed.
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Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva Vmd Cvma
Dr. Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva is the Professional Services Veterinarian here at Wild Earth. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Brown University, and attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Since graduation, she has worked in general practice, on telehealth platforms, and in animal rehabilitation. She has worked tirelessly to gain expertise in the field of canine nutrition through numerous certifications and coursework, and plans to pursue her Masters in Animal Nutrition.
When Should Antihistamines For Dogs Be Used
Antihistamines can be used to treat allergies, both seasonal and environmental and allergic reactions. If your dog is suffering from itchiness, redness, or swelling, antihistamines may be able to help. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors. Histamine is a molecule that is released by the body in response to an allergen. There have been studies that suggest the use of antihistamines for dogs with seasonal allergies is beneficial and the low cost and favourable safety profile of antihistamines make them a popular choice for many dog owners and veterinarians.
It should be noted that not all dogs will respond to antihistamines to provide relief from seasonal allergies. This is because the mediators of the allergic response in dogs are not completely related to histamines. People that suffer from allergies typically have a runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing as a result of histamine release. These are all symptoms that are not commonly seen in dogs with allergies. Dogs will typically have redness and itchiness of their skin as their main symptoms.
For type-1 hypersensitivity reactions in dogs that result in facial and ocular swelling and hives, such as a bee or wasp sting or vaccine reaction, antihistamines can be beneficial and are typically recommended by veterinarians.
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Side Effects Of Claritin That You Can Expect
Medications often have side effects ranging from mild to severe.
Claritin is one of the most lightweight antihistamines available for dogs.
The side effects that occur as a result of using it are pretty mild.
Its not a guarantee that your dog will experience side effects such as:
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Stomach Problems
If you take you to the vets once you notice these effects, the vet might also identify increased heart rate in your dog.
Your doctor can take the steps of adjusting the dosage for your dog on noticing some of the symptoms.
Also, the vets might prescribe other medications to ease the side effects.
Some medications may react with this antihistamine, such as antibiotics and anti-fungals.
To prevent this, you can tell your vet about other medications that your dog is on.
You may also want to practice caution when applying it if your dog has underlying conditions.
If your dog is lactating, ensure that you get directions from your vet on administering Claritin.
Why Would A Dog Need Loratadine
Loratadine targets medical conditions that release histamines, meaning this is a wonderful tool to manage acute and chronic allergies in our canine companions.
Some dogs have a better response to this type of antihistamine than others, as well as the fact that it will not cause the typical drowsiness you expect from diphenhydramine.
Some of the most common reasons a veterinarian will prescribe loratadine include:
- Chronic skin allergies
- Eye irritation due to allergies
While loratadine may be a first line of defense in some situations, many vets will explore this route when dogs lack significant relief from other antihistamines.
With it being a different form of antihistamine than others, some dogs will have a better response to this option.
Dogs with mast cell tumors may benefit from the use of Claritin as well.
Dogs with mast cell tumors can experience chronic inflammation and allergic responses due to the release of histamines from the tumor.
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Question #: I Feed My Dog A Corn
Many pet owners falsely believe that grain-free diets are the best option for pets with allergies. In fact, pets are rarely allergic to food, and are even less likely to be allergic to grains. A pet who suffers from a food allergy is usually allergic to the protein source, such as chicken, lamb, or fish.
Recommended Claritin Dosage For Dogs
The recommended dose for Claritin is 0.2 milligrams per pound of body weight every 12-24 hours. This is only a general recommendation, and as with all medication, you should consult with your veterinarian and have them give you the appropriate dose for your individual dog. Always check the packaging, but typically a Claritin tablet is 10 milligrams per tablet.
As with any medication, giving the correct dose is of utmost importance in order to avoid overdose or toxicity.
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Best Otc Medication For Dogs
Some OTC medications for humans can be effective at reducing allergy symptoms in dogs. But before you hit the drugstore, chat with your vet to make sure these medications will work for your pups symptoms and that you know how to administer them properly.
It is important owners use the correct dose and use them often enough for them to have an effect, Dr. Simon said. You should also consider that antihistamines can make your dog drowsy.
There are some dog-safe antihistamines available to pet parents, which can obviously eliminate the dangers of taking medications meant for humans.
PetArmor is a dog-friendly antihistamine that has the same active ingredient as Benadryl.
Just be sure to double-check the dosages with your vet to make sure youre giving your pup a safe amount.
Can I Give My Dog Zyrtec
Yes, you can give your dog Zyrtec. In fact, Zyrtec is one of the safest over-the-counter medications for dogs. It is an excellent first-aid choice and has wide safety margins it is not likely to cause any issues even if given in large doses.
Zyrtec is the brand name for the antihistamine cetirizine hydrochloride. In veterinary medicine, Zyrtec is used off-label, meaning although safe, it is not FDA approved for use in pets. However, vets support the Zyrtec use in dogs because it is beneficial, inexpensive, and readily available.
Zyrtec is popularly known as an improved Benadryl version. This is because, unlike Benadryl, the active ingredient in Zyrtec does not cause sedation and lethargy. This is due to the fact that cetirizine does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
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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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Is your dog suffering from seasonal allergies? Just like people dogs can be affected by pollen or other things found in their environment.
If there are trees blooming near your house and your dog is sneezing, the most likely the cause of your dogs sneezing and watery eyes can be due to allergies. Many people will wonder if they can safely give their dog allergy medication at home just like they take it.
Claritin and Zyrtec are safe treatments to give to a dog to help control mild allergy symptoms. These medications will help with very mild signs while more severe allergies may require prescription allergy medication from your veterinarian.
As always, you should check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new medications. There are also some side effects that you need to look for and sometimes you need to avoid giving these medications and see your vet instead.
Lets take a further look to better understand how to dose these medications for your dog as well.
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Is Xylitol In Claritin
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs and can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar.
These medications are designed with human consumption in mind, and this ingredient is essentially harmless to us.
Due to this potential risk, we suggest steering clear of any chewable or dissolvable human medications for your pup.
If you are ever in doubt, you can always ask your veterinarian for their advice.
Question #: I Bathe My Dog Every Week To Help With The Odor From Her Allergies How Can That Make Her Skin Issues Worse
If you bathe your pet frequently, the shampoo can strip off the healthy, natural oils from her skin. Many shampoos sold in pet stores dry out your dogs skin and can cause more itching. For pets suffering from allergies, a medicated or soap-free shampoo is best. Medicated shampoos contain antibacterial, antifungal, and steroid components to help soothe and heal your pets skin, while soap-free shampoos dont strip the healthy oils so much.
Is your pets licking, chewing, and scratching keeping your family awake at night? to help manage your furry friends allergies so you can all rest in peace.
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Typical 02 Mg/lb Dose
Note that standard tablets include 10 mg of Loratadine per pill and Claritin for kids hold 5 mg or Loratadine. Example: A 40 lb dog may be given between 4.8 and 8.8 mg of Loratadine. Half an adult tablet can, therefore, be used .
Antihistamines work to soothe allergy symptoms by shutting down histamine action in the body. Histamine is an allergic substance that causes itching, rashing, stomach upset, sneezing, and more when you come into contact with an actual allergen.
Are you a pet parent? Do you love your dog but wish it was less of a trouble-maker? Eliminate bad behavior and Create the obedient, well-behaved pet of your dreamsFollow these tips from one of the most successful dog experts.
Claritin should only be provided in its tablet form for dogs. Claritin must only be offered to dogs in its tablet form. While the medication is also accessible in a flavored syrup and in a rapidly dissolving form , you can often find the dog-toxic xylitol as one of its ingredients.
Why Would My Dog Need Zyrtec Or Claritin
Many dogs will suffer from seasonal allergies just like people. They may have watery eyes and nose, or they may have itchy skin.
Other common signs of allergies are:
- Skin irritation
- Licking and chewing of feet or legs
If you do not treat these allergies in your dog, then your dog can develop a secondary skin infection. This can cause hot spots or open wounds that will need to be treated.
In severe cases of allergies, your dog may develop hives or go into anaphylactic shock. This could be life-threatening and very dangerous.
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