Dog seasonal allergies can be a major source of discomfort for your best friend. Itchy skin, sore red eyes, and chronic sinusitis are all typical symptoms of dog allergies. If your dog is suffering from these issues, it’s time to start thinking about allergy medicine for dogs.
Remember that allergies are only a symptom of a more severe problem. The sooner you get your dog checked out, the better it will be for you.
Dog seasonal allergies medication include antihistamine (like Benadryl and others), corticosteroids (like Prednisolone) and oclacitinib (as in Apoquel). Injections might also be beneficial together with local washing, topical treatment and antibiotics. Choosing the right food has also been shown to have benefits for dogs with seasonal allergies.
Please do not give your dog any medication (prescription or over-the-counter) without talking to a vet who knows your dog and her history.
Medication | Indication and use |
---|---|
Oraphenaline | Reduces histamine |
Doxycycline | Antibiotic to treat sinus infection and other upper respiratory bacterial infections associated with seasonal allergies in dogs |
Azactam | Wide spectrum antibiotics |
Zyrtec | Antihistamine for mild cases of inflammation and itching |
Cortisone | Immune modulation for severe itching and inflammation (has significant side-effect if not used correctly) |
What can I give my Dog for Seasonal Allergies?
If your dog has seasonal allergies and has been sneezing, wheezing, or having itchy skin, you might want to give them some relief. If you’re looking for the best medicine for your dog to help them, look no further than this list:
Oraphenaline
Oraphenaline is a medication that treats seasonal allergies in dogs by reducing the amount of histamine in the body.
Histamine is a chemical that causes allergic reactions within the body, and Oraphenaline works by blocking its effects on your dog’s cells. This steroid can be helpful for dogs with chronic or severe allergies, as well as those struggling with minor ones.
Please take note that Oraphenaline does not work for all dogs with allergies but works for many of them. Oraphenaline is available under several brand names, including Temaril-P and Temaril-PM. It comes in tablet or injectable form. The pills work best as maintenance medicine since they can provide relief for several months at a time. The injectable form of Oraphenaline is used when treating emergencies. It is injected once or twice a day by your vet.
Doxycycline
Dogs with seasonal allergies have difficulty breathing because of the congestion that can build up in their sinuses. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that can help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs by killing off the bacteria that creates the problem. According to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, doxycycline is the first-line choice for treating infections secondary to seasonal allergies in dogs.
Doxycycline is typically sold under the name Vibramycin and can be obtained at most pet stores. Each 10 mg doxycycline capsule contains 19.5 mg of calcium (0.45 mEq) and should be given to dogs only with the supervision of a veterinarian. Doxycycline does not cause adverse reactions in most dogs, so those with dull-looking coats or those prone to pancreatitis can be treated with the drug without much risk.
Azactam
Azactam is a medicine used to treat seasonal allergies in dogs. In some instances, this medication has been proven to help lessen the effects of allergic rhinitis, which leads to itchy and watery eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Azactam works by blocking the body’s immune cells from reacting with the allergen. This will help to prevent allergic reaction and eases symptoms.
The dog should be given Azactam for up to 12 days and then observed for at least a week before being prescribed another allergy medication. If you are going to use Azactam for your dog, it is essential to read the instructions on the packaging.
Depending on your dog’s weight, there may be a difference in how much you must give the medication. In addition, if you are giving this medication in conjunction with other forms of medicine, this will also alter how much will be provided.
Sudafed
If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies, there is no better medication than Sudafed. It’s an over-the-counter medication that you can purchase without a prescription. Treating your dog’s seasonal allergies with Sudafed is also affordable, and it works. Sudafed is a decongestant that helps clear up stuffiness and reduce swelling caused by allergies.
The active ingredient in Sudafed is pseudoephedrine, which helps clear up the stuffiness in your dog’s nose. You can purchase Sudafed in both tablets and sinus spray. The tablets are best suited for dogs that are more than ten pounds. If your dog is lightweight, buying Sudafed sinus spray is probably better. It’s easy to administer, so you don’t have to worry about giving it incorrectly or in the wrong manner.
Steroid cream
Steroid cream is good medicine for treating seasonal allergies in dogs. The most commonly prescribed topical steroid is called Triamcinolone Acetonide. It is used to decrease inflammation and soothe the area that has been affected by seasonal allergens such as pollen and dust. It is also used to help dry up the skin and reduce itching caused by allergies.
A great advantage of triamcinolone acetonide is that it is not absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream, thus making this an excellent choice for treating allergic skin conditions in dogs with weakened immune systems or liver problems. Steroids that are easily absorbed should be avoided in this situation. There is a wide range of available steroid cream forms, and they vary depending on the concentration of the active drug or which vehicle is used to dissolve it.
Cortisone
Cortisone is a medication used in medicine to reduce inflammation, treat eczema, relieve pain, and treat other inflammatory conditions. In veterinary circles, cortisone is administered to help ease the allergic symptoms dogs may experience during the year when they experience seasonal allergies.
Dogs suffering from seasonal allergies will often have itchy skin and inflamed skin, and in severe cases, hair loss could occur. The itching associated with seasonal allergies is usually the most bothersome symptom to owners of affected dogs.
Cortisone can help relieve the itching and inflammation by blocking enzymes that cause inflammation and by stimulating cells that produce sparse amounts of anti-inflammatory substances. The main ingredient in cortisone is Cortisol, a hormone with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Aerosol Spray
Aerosol is a medicine sprayed into the eyes and nostrils to help with seasonal allergies in dogs. This medicine alleviates sinus congestion, nasal discharge, sneezing, and runny nose. It also helps with itching and relieves weight gain caused by heavy breathing. It stops the itch signal from being sent by the nerves in the nose, which is why it relieves the itching in dogs.
The medication comes in an easy-to-use nasal inhaler and comes in sprays and ointments for various ailments. It is a safe and effective way for dogs to get relief from allergies. Dogs may develop seasonal allergies to food, grasses, pollens, and other things. The symptoms of seasonal dog allergies vary depending on the season.
For example, springtime brings pollens and grasses that cause a runny nose and sneezing in dogs, while fall brings mould spores that cause swelling in the sinuses of dogs. Spring is also when rabbits first start giving off their dander and causing allergic reactions in dogs.
Zyrtec (cetirizine)
Dogs’ seasonal allergies are a significant concern for pet owners. The symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs can include everything from itchy skin and hair to the eye and ear discharge. Fortunately for pet owners, several safe and effective medications can be given to dogs suffering from allergies. Zyrtec (cetirizine) is one of the most reliable medications today.
Owners must follow some guidelines when administering Zyrtec to dogs suffering from seasonal allergies. The first guideline is to give their dog the medication as soon as possible after symptoms develop. The second important guideline is to provide the medicine three times per day as long as symptoms continue.
Thirdly, owners mustn’t stop giving Zyrtec abruptly after their dog has completely recovered from the allergy season. The reason for this is that stopping the medicine abruptly may cause a recurrence of symptoms.
Zyrtec may be especially useful for dogs with a sensitivity to other antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Many dog owners have used Zyrtec to help their dogs deal with seasonal allergies and have been pleased with the results.
What is the Best Allergy Medicine for Dog allergies?
Whether your dog has a seasonal, environmental, or food allergy, you can help alleviate their symptoms with the proper medication. The best allergy medicine for your dog will depend on their allergies and what symptoms they are experiencing.
Over-the-counter medications such as Zyrtec, Claritin, and Benadryl are suitable for most dogs with allergic skin conditions. Talk to your veterinarian about using non-prescription drugs for allergies in dogs and what dosage is best for your dog.
If your dog’s allergies aren’t responding well to over-the-counter medications, talk to your vet about prescription antihistamines and steroids. Prescription antihistamines help relieve itching and swelling, while steroids control inflammation.
Dogs with seasonal allergies may benefit from specific immunotherapy (SIT) injection. Your vet administers the shot, and it helps decrease your dog’s sensitivity to allergens over time.
Keeping your dog clean and healthy is your best bet for treating their allergies. Bathing them regularly helps reduce allergy symptoms and keep their bedding and sleeping area free of allergens. It’s also essential to make sure they’re in a comfortable environment with plenty of fresh air.
Allergy symptoms in dogs can be irritating, but they’re not life-threatening. If you choose the correct medicine for their allergies, dogs can live long and happy lives. Treating allergies in dogs is much more effective than waiting until the symptoms are severe.
Look for therapy that works well with your dog, and make sure that you give them the medicine regularly throughout any allergy season. Adverse Effects of these medications and treatments are rare, but you should be concerned with your dog’s symptoms if they worsen.