Claritin In Dogs: Everything You Should Know
Even though it’s true that Claritin is good for treating skin problems in dogs, it also can cause some side effects. Of course, if this occurs, it’s vital to consult a veterinarian.
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When a person’s best friend has a health problem, it’s difficult to know how to take care of it. So, read this article learn what you need to know about giving your dog Claritin, a medicine mostly used to treat skin allergies.
A medicine that can treat canines
A recommendation that is repeated continually at My Animals is that you should not give medicines to your pet that are intended for humans.
It’s clear that humans are a different species from dogs. Therefore, what’s good for people may not have the same effects on dogs.
However, it’s also a fact that veterinarians tend to prescribe drugs that are for humans to treat a certain disease that dogs have. In this case, Claritin, an antihistamine that’s sold over the counter, is what we are referring to.
Read this article to learn all that you need to know about the use of Claritin in dogs. This is a medicine that’s sold over the counter and it can be effective for treating skin allergies.
It turns out that Claritin can alleviate the inconveniences from allergies. However, this is a medication should be taken responsibly.
Claritin: What is it for?
The generic name of this medicine is loratadine, that works by blocking the receptors of histamine, which prevents the body from having allergic reactions.
In the case of dogs, some professionals tend to prescribe it for the following reasons:
- To treat skin irritations that are provoked by allergies. Pollen, some foods or saliva from fleas can cause itching, redness, rashes, and swelling.
- It minimizes the side effects of some vaccinations. In such cases, it’s good to give loratadine before other vaccinations.
- To ease inflammation related to mast cell tumors (which release histamine). Mast cell tumors are malignant masses that can appear in any part of an animal’s body, especially on the skin.
- Claritin is a medicine that’s sometimes prescribed for dogs, but when giving them it, you need to be very cautious of your dog.
Advice for using loratadine
Just as it’s not good for humans to self-medicate themselves, veterinarians should be the ones to determine the dosage and period of treatment for each dog.
A professional will determine how you should apply the medication according to your dog’s size, age, weight, race, and state of health.
Be careful when giving Claritin and other drugs to your dog. There are numerous side effects to be wary about.
Side effects of Claritin in dogs
Consider that loratadine can cause some side effects because it’s a medicine. However, Claritin seems to provoke less sleepiness than other antihistamines. Some of the side effects are the following:
- Urinary retention
- Thirstiness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dryness of the eyes and mouth
- Confusion
- Changes in behavior
In any of these cases, you should consult a veterinarian immediately to determine if you should suspend using the medication or change the treatment.
More topics to consider for Claritin in dogs
One important detail is not to confuse Claritin with Claritin-D. Pseudoephedrine and loratadine are contained in Claritin-D and can be harmful to your dog.
Also, you should let your veterinarian know if your dog has a condition that he/she doesn’t know about. We must stress that this drug needs to be administered with caution, above all in cases of kidney or liver problems.
Remember to tell the veterinarian if your dog is taking any other medicines or supplements. Therefore, Claritin should not be given if a dog is pregnant or nursing puppies.