Ever seen your dog scrap too much, bite feet and legs, get a stomach upset, sneeze, or have red, itchy eyes? He might well experience those allergies. Common allergens might include fleas, pet dander, spider mites, bed bug bites, etc.
In this article, we look at treating Claritin for dogs, including doses, risks and benefits and alternative therapies for sniffles, sneezes, and more.
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Just like any other animal, over several thousands of years dogs have developed a sophisticated immune system that keeps their bodies healthy and free of disease. Through being inhaled or eaten, or through the skin or mucous membrane millions of particles enter our bodies daily.
It is the task of the immune system to sort these particles, remove the bad ones and release the safe ones. But this process can go wrong sometimes, and it perceives a non-harmful particle as a danger. An allergic reaction occurs when this happens.
In this piece, we will examine the care of sniffles, sneezes and more in dogs with Claritin and cover everything from dosages, risks and benefits, and alternative treatment options.
Can dogs have Claritin?
Although it is primarily a human medication, Claritin can also be used for dogs, as recommended at a vet. Claritin in dogs works to treat all widespread allergy symptoms, but it is particularly effective at treating bug bites and skin irritations, such as canine dermatitis.
Symptoms of dermatitis in dogs
The symptoms of canine dermatitis include itching, chewing (particularly in feet and legs), excessive scratching, and hair loss. Hotspots, also known as acute moist dermatitis, are damp, red, and highly irritating skin sores.
Claritin is also efficient in the treatment of mast cell inflammation in dogs. These tumors are particularly common in Spaniel, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and Labradors due to overgrowing mast cells, usually in the digestive tract or on the skin. Mast cells assist protect the dog’s body against parasites, but their growth causes traumatic swelling. In those cases, Claritin is usually used with other therapies for allergies, including anti-inflammatory medications, fatty acid additives, and lifestyle or diet adjustments.
Is Claritin safe for dogs? What are the side effects?
It is an extra-label drug used with some success. For short-term allergic burst-ups or long-term chronic allergies, Claritin may be used when necessary. The long-term usage must be at the veterinarian’s discretion. Amongst the adverse effects of using Claritin for dogs dry eye, dry mouth, vomiting, heart racing, lethargy, and sedation were reported. In pups with recognized liver or kidney dysfunction, Claritin should not be used.
Itching and inflammation, including eczema, food hypersensitivity, parasites, bacterial and fungal infections, may be caused by many things. Although antihistamines may be useful for handling allergy problems, they are not a suitable replacement for your vet’s thorough assessment, as your pet may need additional or alternative treatment. If your pup can not take Claritin, your veterinarian may suggest (generic name: cetirizine).
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Claritin (Loratadine) dosage for dogs
The active ingredient of Claritin’s called Loratadine. And it’s an antihistamine.
Claritin tablets regularly contain 10 mg Loratadine. Dogs may receive loratadine in a dose of 0.12 mg / lb to 0.22 mg / lb (0.25 to 0.5 mg / kg) to alleviate allergy symptoms, as suggests Dr Fiona from Veterinaryplace.com.
Typical 0.2 mg/lb dose
Note that include 10 mg of Loratadine per pill and hold 5 mg or Loratadine. Example: A 40 lb dog may be given between 4.8 and 8.8 mg of Loratadine. Half an can, therefore, be used (5 mg).
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.
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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 (Claritin RediTabs), you can often find the dog-toxic xylitol as one of its ingredients.
Claritin and dogs. Summary
It’s terrible seeing your pet suffer. And it’s natural to want to offer relief to a sick pet. Claritin can be useful in treating your dog’s allergies if you follow the precise guidelines of your vet. Please always talk to your vet first before using OTC or prescription medication to find the right dosage for your canine.
Pet owners should stick to a standard Claritin formula or a . Avoid using Claritin-D, which includes pseudoephedrine. Only 240 mg of pseudoephedrine can be fatal to small dogs and can cause adverse stimulant effects in big dogs. Please contact your veterinarian right away if you mistakenly have given your dog Claritin-D.
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