Allergies are commonly observed in animals and they can have various reasons. Dogs can develop dog allergies in the ages between one and three years and sometimes, even in the later years. The animal has to be exposed to the allergens for a long period of time, to catch the allergy. Most of these allergens are airborne and enter the dog's body through inhalation, once inside, they disturb the immune system by attaching themselves to certain tissue mast cells in the skin. This attachment results in the release of chemicals, and histamine is one of them. Antihistamine reduces this allergic reaction and strengthen the immune system to fight against the allergens. There can be many choices of antihistamines for each individual breed of dogs, but there are a few which can be commonly used for all types of breeds. Some of these are mentioned in the following paragraphs, so find out which suits the best to your dog.
Safe Antihistamine for Dogs
All breeds of dogs can be affected by allergies at all ages, but they are more prone to allergies in their younger ages. They can be allergic to pollens, food products and house fleas, and the degree of the reaction is also different for every dog, as eventually their metabolisms are varied and independent. If your dog has an allergic reaction, first of all, it is suggested you take him/her to the vet, so the vet can prescribe an antihistamine for the dog. If your dog has suffered from an allergy earlier and you know, the antihistamine which suits him/her, go ahead and purchase it, but do consult your vet! Benadryl is one such antihistamine for a dog of any breed, but it should be used through prescription and in proper dosage. Some more are mentioned below, so read on.
Best Antihistamine Options
Benadryl, is the most commonly used antihistamine for canines, because it stops the itching, reduces the swelling and combats the airborne allergens present in the immune system. The dosage for dogs suggested by vets and used by many dog owners is, 1 mg/lb for best results. Diphenhydramine, the ingredient in the benadryl, is the main component, that helps in relieving the allergy symptoms in dogs. Other effective antihistamines for dogs which should be taken through prescription are;
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
Chlortrimeton (Chlorpheniramine)
Tavist (Clemastine)
Atarax/Vistaryl (Hydroxyzine)
Temaril (Trimeprazine)
Periactin (Cyproheptadine)
Cetirizine
Loratadine
Promethazine
Terfenidine
Hydroxyzine
Side Effects
There are not many side effects, but a few that depend on the doses of the drugs and have to be monitored.
The most common side effect is sedation, which leads to lethargy and oversleeping of your dog.
Dogs with lever problems should be given antihistamines very carefully, as these are metabolized by the liver, and thus, they can cause problems internally.
Drowsiness can be caused by many antihistamines while the stronger ones like Chlorpheniramine, can also cause tiredness, lethargy and diarrhea.
Hydroxyzine is a slightly over aggressive and variegated antihistamine, its side effects include, nausea, seizures and drowsiness.
These antihistamines for dogs should be taken in combination with a proper diet, which includes less amount of fatty acids.
With this information about some of the most commonly used antihistamine for dogs, you should make sure you find the right one for your dog. But whenever you administer a drug to your dog, make sure you have spoken to the vet, to be safe!