Common Irritants Dogs Are Allergic To
- Pollen. The same pollen causing hay fever in people can cause seasonal allergic reactions in dogs. Dogs might inhale pollen floating through the air from trees or plants, or sniff growing grass and weeds. Tree and grass pollen seasons tend to last from spring to mid-fall.
- The environment. Dogs can react to environmental elements like pollen, dust, mold, and animal dander. Depending on whats bothering your canine companion, dogs might experience environmental allergies seasonally or constantly.
- Flea allergies. When adult fleas bite your precious pup, they inject a small amount of saliva into the dogs skin, causing an itchy response. According to VCA Hospitals, just one flea bite is enough to cause itching for several days, which means you might see your dog scratch and scratch. Your dog doesnt need to be infested with fleas to show a reaction, and all dog breeds can experience flea allergy dermatitis.
- Foods. Sometimes dogs can be allergic to something in their kibble or treats. They may be sensitive to proteins commonly found in dog kibble, like beef, chicken, or lamb.
Can You Give A 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.
Zyrtec For Dogs: A Useful Tool In The Fight Against Allergies
Luckily, Zyrtec can be used in dogs. Plus, as a second-generation antihistamine, it does not cause drowsiness, and pets do not grow a tolerance to its active ingredient when used long-term.
Keep reading to learn more about Zyrtec for dogs and see whether cetirizine is a beneficial addition to your dogs allergy management plan.
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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.
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
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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 A 10mg Allergy Pill
Dosage. Zyrtec comes in 5 and 10-milligram tablets and can be given either every 24 hours for atopic dermatitis or every 12 hours for allergy symptoms. The 10 mg pills are okay for dogs between 10 and 50 lbs, though 5-10 lb dogs should only take half
Hi, Im Tippy. Ive been a professional dog trainer for over 17 years and spend most of my days teaching people how to live better with their four-legged family members. My first paid job in dog training was at a puppy kindergarten and basic training program for dogs. I worked there for 6 years, then became the manager for another kennel, where I stayed for 7 more years before opening my own dog training business. My business continues to grow each year and Ive been featured on local television programs talking about canine health and behavior issues as well as in newspapers talking about puppy development, food allergies in dogs, pet playgroups and much more.
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Is Benadryl Safe For Dogs
Yes, Benadryl is safe for dogs. Benadryl is an antihistamine that can be used to treat allergies, anxiety, motion sickness, and vaccine side effects in dogs. The typical dose of Benadryl for a dog is 0.9-1.8 mg per pound of body weight. Benadryl should only be given to dogs that are over 12 weeks old.
Treating Your Dogs Allergies With Allegra
Allegra is considered a safe drug for dogs in its basic simple form with fexofenadine as the active ingredient. A dogs body is equipped to handle the slow-releasing fexofenadine over 24 hours.
You should not give your dog any dose of Allegra-D for any reason. Allegra-D contains a decongestant ingredient called pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is harmful to dogs, and it should not be given to them to treat allergies, as the decongestant acts as a stimulant to your dog. The safest form of Allegra for your dog is the 24-hour Allegra for allergies.
Only give your dog Allegra in the form of a 60-milligram tablet. Not only is the milligram amount safe, but there are no additional ingredients in the tablet as there are in the liquid form. The liquid form of Allegra contains xylitol, a sweetener used in oral liquid medications. Xylitol is dangerous for dogs and should not be given to them for any reason.
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How Much Motion Sickness Medicine Can I Give My Dog
A motion potion may do the trick Medium to large dogs should be given 25 to 50 milligrams of Dramamine at least an hour before traveling in a car, cats and small dogs should get about 12.5 milligrams. Be sure to check with your vet before giving your pet any medicinal product. We recommend an all natural pet calmer.
Oral Prescription Allergy Medicine For Dogs
For oral prescription allergy medicine, both vets we spoke to recommended Apoquel.
Apoquel is an oral tablet you can give your dog daily for his allergy symptoms. It works by suppressing your pups immune system so he doesnt have such a strong reaction to the things hes allergic to.
Oral steroids are sometimes prescribed for allergies, but these arent a good long-term medication because of the side effects associated with them. So you should really only use oral steroids as needed, like if other treatments arent effective or its the only option you can afford.
And now that you know your options for your dogs allergy medication, youll be able to help ease his symptoms in no time.
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How Allergies Impact Your Dogs Quality Of Life
Dogs who suffer from moderate to severe allergies often scratch constantly, lick their paws obsessively, and battle one ear infection or skin infection after another. In short, quality of life ebbs for these itchy dogs. They are too busy scratching and licking to fully enjoy the simple pleasures of dogdom.
This was the case for Zachory, a Chow mix who needed relief from allergies.
Things To Do Before Purchasing An Otc For Your Dog
First and foremost, consult with your veterinarian on the medication type, the active ingredients, and what dose and frequency to give. Another reason that you should speak to your veterinarian before giving any medication is your dogs history.
Some drugs cannot be given with others, and your veterinarian will be able to look through your dogs file and advise. Another thing you can do is give your veterinarian and yourself all the information. Make a list of any new diet, environmental stimulus, and what your dog is experiencing. This can help narrow down towards the allergen that is wreaking havoc in your dogs body.
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Canine Atopic Dermatologic Immunotherapeutic
An even more recent development in the management of allergies in dogs, has been the development of Cytopointan antibody that attaches to an itch-triggering chemical signal called IL-31. Once bound to IL-31, Cytopoint blocks the creation of further itch signals, thus offering relief to your itchy dog. Its not a pill, but rather, is given every one to two months as an injection at your veterinarians office. This is great news for owners of dogs who wont take pills .
The before and after photos below illustrate the marked improvement Cytopoint can make. The photo on the left was taken on November 25, 2020. The photo on the right was taken May 14, 2021.
Cytopoint starts working within one to two days after the injection and helps the dog for one to two months. Because it is targeting a very specific signal in the immune system, the risk of suppressing the immune system is low, so it can be used safely with other medications.
Unfortunately, because this medication targets the chemical signal associated with the itching feeling instead of modifying the action of cells in the immune system, its not as effective as steroids or Apoquel in reducing signs of allergy-related inflammation such as red and irritated skin or swelling of the ear canals.
The bottom line on Cytopoint for dogs
Types Of Allergy Meds For Dogs
After determining what is causing your dogs allergy problems your veterinarian can make several types of recommendations that can include everything from medicated and soothing shampoos to allergy meds for dogs. While allergen shots are often considered the best treatment available, they are often expensive.
You may find options that are available without a prescription at your local drugstore, but these medications could do more harm than good. Your veterinarian will explain to you that the way the treatment options work are different as well, and each choice has its own drawbacks. Steroid medications such as prednisone work great, but have side effects and long-term continual use is not generally recommended.
Cyclosporine medications like Atopica can have fewer side effects, but causes stomach upset and is far more expensive than other medications and requires a prescription. Any of the prescription medications are more expensive and require trips to the veterinarian which can also increase costs.
One less expensive option, are over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, which can help alleviate allover itching. Antihistamines should be used with caution, and followed under the correct dosage for your dog.
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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.
Is Claritin Or Zyrtec Better For Pet Allergies
Each person may respond differently to different medications. For example, a person with mild allergies may do well with Claritin. Another person with more severe allergies may do better with Zyrtec. However, Dr. Qamar says that although Zyrtec may be more effective in some patients, around 10% of people can become sleepy with it. Therefore, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine which medication would be best for you based on your individual symptoms and medical history.
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Zyrtec Dosage For Dogs
The exact Zyrtec dosage depends on the dogs size and the underlying cause for using the medication in the first place. Here are the basic dosing guidelines:
- For Atopic Dermatitis 0.5 mg per pound of body weight every 24 hours
- For Allergy Symptoms 0.5 mg per pound of body weight every 12 hours
- For Insect Bites/Stings 0.5 mg per pound of body weight as first-aid
Zyrtec is available as tablets and an oral syrup. Which Zyrtec form you will choose depends on your dogs size and dosage needs. In general, if you have a smaller dog, the liquid form would be more practical because the tablets are very small and hard to cut. On the other hand, if your dog is a large or giant breed, the 10 mg tablets are more convenient.
The Zyrtec tablets can be given with or without food. The general rule of the thumb is to avoid giving dogs pills on an empty stomach if prone to digestive issues . As for the Zyrtec syrup, it can be drizzled on top of the dogs food or squirted directly into the dogs mouth.
If you accidentally forgot to give your dog its regular Zyrtec dose, you have two options:
- Skip the missed dose completely
- Give the missed dose as soon as you remember
In both cases, it is important not to double-up to compensate for the missed dose. Although antihistamine overdoses are practically impossible, sticking to the dosing guidelines is of imperative importance.
Making Diet Changes To Help Control Food Allergy Symptoms
Performing a food trial, which involves changing your dog to a hypoallergenic diet, can help diagnose and manage food allergies in dogs. If the allergy symptoms improve after your dog has been on the new food for six to 10 weeks, a food allergy is a likely the underlying reason for the symptoms.
Confirmation of the diagnosis comes if symptoms return within 14 days after being reintroduced to the old food or suspected allergen. Once a food allergy is diagnosed and the allergen is identified, continuing to eliminate it from the diet may help control allergy symptoms long term.
How do I choose the food for a food trial?
The goal of a food trial is to ensure that your dog is eating only food that its unlikely to be allergic to. This can be accomplished using a veterinary prescription diet or a homemade diet formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.
For detailed information on homecooked diets, check out my podcast: Homecooked Diets for Your Dog with Dr. Jackie Parr.If a commercial kibble or canned diet is going to be used, it is important to choose a veterinary prescription diet instead of an over-the-counter diet. Studies evaluating over-the-counter diets detected the presence of proteins not listed on the label due to cross-contamination during manufacturing. This means that its possible that an allergic patient may unknowingly continue to be fed the allergen, making it appear that the new diet didnt help improve allergy symptoms.
Types of hypoallergenic diets
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Why Dogs Suffer From Allergies
If your dog suffers from allergies like Zachory did, there are solutions! But before we jump into treatment options, its important to understand why allergies happen in the first place.
Uncovering the role mast cells play in allergies
In humans, the cells that mediate allergiescalled mast cellsare predominantly located in the upper respiratory tract, which also happens to be the location that most of our seasonal allergy symptoms center around. However, for our canine companions, this is not the case.
In dogs, the allergy-mediating mast cells live in high concentrations in the skin. Thus, dogs are more likely to have seasonal allergy symptoms that center around the skin and ears.
Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow then travels to the tissues of the body . They help protect the body against foreign invaders.
Mast cells look very distinct under a microscope. They are filled with tiny granules which contain several active substances, the most well known of which is histamine. Dont forget about histamine because it will come into play when we look at allergy therapies namely antihistamines.
When mast cells sense something they see as a potential threatin this case an allergen, like pollenthey become activated and start degranulating. This is the process of dumping the granule contents into the surrounding tissue. A chain of events ensues which summons the rest of the immune system army and causes allergy symptoms.
