Zyrtec, Claritan, or Benadryl?

[brobertson]

My 9 month old Boxer girl has what have become pretty bad allergies. She chews her paws and has "crusty" hives. She had a yeast issue with her ears which has cleared up with an antibiotic. Our vet put her on 50mgs of Benadryl 2 times/day, but I don't feel that is working. She is on Taste of The Wild Salmon formula, and I honestly don't feel that it is a food allergy and that its environmental. I have heard that some owners give either Zyrtec or Claritan. What is the dosage for pups? Do you find that this works?

Our other Boxer, Riley, doesn't have allergies and neither did Bentley... this is all new to me! Thanks SO much for your time and help!

 

[samsons]

FYI .... DO NOT USE CLARIDIN D !!!!!!! THIS WILL CAUSE A TOXIC REACTION !

last week i was out of binadryl and used the claridin ~ called vet after the fact ( we had hives ) to see if we needed a steroid shot. when she found out i have given the claridian , we spent 20 mins not knowing if we needed to rush her to the er , or if we where ok !

had to call home to find out what was on the box !!!! its all about the "D"

so PLEASE check with your VET before you make any changes !!!!! its not as simple as we would like to think with these allergies !

you can most def do your own research ~~ but pls clear it with your vet before you make any changes !!!

it was really scary spending 20 mins thinking i might loose my foster over a grass allergy !! and being at work & unable to do anything more then make frantic phone calls !!!!!!!

 

[TinksDream]

I was wondering if it was ok for dogs to have claritin as well. Tink has been sneezing and had boogie eyes for the last month or so and I think it is an environmental thing. Benadryl gives Tink hives so we can't use that, plus that can make them sleepy.

 

[johann]

My parents give their Bernese mountain dog Zyrtec (regular version with NO decongestant) once a day. They've noticed a huge difference in her itchiness and allergy symptoms with it. I don't know what dose they give, but their vet was who told them the amount to give.

 

[BoxerRiggo]

Riggo is 70lbs and gets 3 Zyrtec pills (over the counter 10mg each) once a day.
It has been ordered by his Veterinary Dermatologist/Allergist.
I would see if you have a specialist in your area and ask for a referral if you feel it is truely environmental allergies.
Best of luck,
Courtney and RIGGO!

 

[MonaC]

I give Delilah a loratadine (generic over the counter claritin) daily. It works well. And if you buy the Loratidine instead of regular Claritin it'll be much cheaper.

 

[WillsFLWoman]

Meds

Rocky gets 1 Zyrtec, or Claritin or their generics a day. I buy them in bulk at Sams... Loratadine is very cheap. If he starts itching again at night, i give him a benadryl. On the weekends I will give him a benadryl every 6 hours or so...if the others wear off. He is 65 to 70 lbs.... Ive also been using Dermagic lotion on him if he does get a rash or raw skin. He has his allergys under control now. Not gone, but under control.

 

[brobertson]

Thank you all for your help! Stella and I really appreciate it! My vet told me to switch from the Benadryl to Zyrtec since the Benadryl seems to give her hives and doesn't work very well. We will see how that goes, and I pray that it brings her relief! Thanks again, everyone!

 

[Caney Creek]

I have given Caney Benadryl and Loratadine, and Benadryl seems to work best for her -- though it has to be the Dye Free version.

Hope you can find something that works for Stella.

 

[Cleo's Mom]

We took Cleo to a specialist and he switched her from Benedryl to Zyrtec. Cleo takes 1 10 mg of Zyrtec in the AM. She can take a 2nd in the PM if needed. Usually the 1 works but a few times we have had to do 2. Cleo is a little over 70 llbs.