Claritin For Dogs: Everything You Need To Know
When the so-called man’s best friend suffers some discomfort or illness, it is not easy to know how to relieve him. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Claritin for dogs, a medicine used to treat, above all, skin allergies.
A Medication That Can Relieve Itchiness In Dogs
A recommendation that we do not tire of repeating in My Animals is that you should not give your medicines for human use to animals.
Of course, we’re different species, so what’s good for people may not have the same effects on canines.
However, it is also true that veterinarians prescribe drugs used in humans to treat certain diseases in dogs. This is the case with Claritin, an over -the-counter antihistamine.
What is Claritin used in dogs
The non-trade name of this medication is loratadine . It works by blocking receptors for histamine, a substance that the body releases, for example, during allergic reactions.
In the case of dogs, this drug is generally indicated by some professionals to :
- Treat skin irritations caused by allergies. Pollen, some foods or flea saliva can cause itching, redness, hives and swelling.
- Reduce side effects generated by some vaccines. In these cases, loratadine should be given prior to application.
- Attenuate inflammation related to mast cell tumors. These are malignant masses that can appear anywhere on the animal’s body, especially on the skin.
Tips for using Claritin
We know that it is not good for humans to self-medicate and, in the case of pets, it is the veterinarian who must indicate the dose and time of treatment according to the characteristics of each dog.
The provider will determine how loratadine should be used based on the dog’s size, age, weight, breed, or health status .
Under no circumstances should you give this medicine to your pet without prior indication from the veterinarian.
Nor should you vary the dose or increase or decrease the period of administration of the drug that was indicated.
Claritin Side Effects
Keep in mind that, like any medication, loratadine may have some side effects for your dog.
Although Claritin in dogs appears to cause less drowsiness than other antihistamines, animals treated with this drug may have:
- Urinary retention
- Headquarters increase
- vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Confusion
- behavior changes
In either case, you should urgently consult with your veterinarian to determine whether treatment should be stopped or changed.
More topics to consider
An important detail is that you should not confuse Claritin with Claritin-D. The latter, in addition to loratadine, contains pseudoephedrine, a substance that can be very harmful to your dog.
You should also notify your veterinarian if your pet has a health problem that he or she does not know about.
This medicine should be administered with caution, especially in cases of liver or kidney problems.
Also, be sure to inform the provider if the dog is taking any other medications or supplements.
In addition, it should not be administered in the case of pregnant bitches or that are nursing their puppies.
