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If you ’re an allergic reaction sufferer , you are in all likelihood well cognisant of the foiling and misery that allergy can cause . give the impact that allergic reaction have on our sprightliness , it ’s only natural to wonder about allergies in dogs . Do dog develop allergies like we do ? If so , how can these allergies be supervise ? Read on to learn more about canine allergies and domestic dog allergy medicine .
Popular Allergy Medicines for Dogs
Do Dogs Get Allergies?
allergy are arelatively mutual job in dogs , just like in humans . Dogs can be allergic tosome of the same substancesthat trigger allergies in masses .
Where we differ , though , is in the impression of common allergic reaction . While humans tend to get a runny nozzle and watery eyes when we ’re experiencing allergies , our cuspid companions run to developitchy skinandear infections .
There are three vulgar triggers of skin allergic reaction in dogs :
Environmental allergies : Like humans , dogs can become allergic to inhaled allergen , such as dust , dander , and the pollen produce by tree , weeds , and grasses . Allergies to inhaled environmental allergen , also known as atopic dermatitis , are estimated to dissemble 10 - 15 percentage of dog . unnatural wienerwurst often experience seasonal itching and inflammation of the skin .
food for thought allergies : An estimated 1 - 2 percentage of dogs are impress by some form of food allergic reaction . In these Canis familiaris , eat a particular food item will trigger an allergic reaction impact the cutis and ears . The most common food for thought allergens in dogs admit boeuf , chicken , orchis , and dairy farm .
Flea allergy : Fleas are a pain in the neck to any bounder , but some pawl are particularly raw to proteins find in the flea ’s saliva . In these click , just one or two flea insect bite may be enough to trigger a widespread tegument reaction . Fortunately , sign offlea allergy dermatitiscan be prevented through the regular use offlea bar .
Each bod of canine allergic reaction expect a unique approach to diagnosis and treatment . After regulate the underlying suit of your andiron ’s allergic reaction , your veterinarian may order heel allergic reaction medications as a factor of your andiron ’s short - term or retentive - full term treatment .
Why Your Vet Might Recommend a Prescription Dog Allergy Medication
In a perfect humanity , we could prevent symptom of allergies in our dogs by avoiding allergens . In reality , however , that is n’t always feasible . Food allergies and flea allergies may be preventable , but there ’s no direction to wholly protect your frump from pollen , dust , cat dander , or even human dander , all of which can serve as likely environmental allergen . Therefore , allergy medication for dogs often plays a theatrical role in discourse .
Some blackguard , with very mild allergies , can be managed with over - the - counter allergy medications likeBenadrylorZyrtec . Unfortunately , over - the - counter antihistamines are not very strong , and they are deficient to offer significant rest for many dog with allergies . Therefore , veterinarians often urge prescription allergy pills for dogs to help manage their allergic reaction and make them more comfortable .
7 Prescription Dog Allergies Medications
Veterinarians use a sort of tools in the direction of allergic dermatitis . depend on your dog ’s allergies , your treatment plan may admit parasite preventives , prescription diets , injections , medicated dog shampoo for hide allergic reaction , and other treatments . In many cases , prescription dog allergic reaction medication play a role in the management of allergic reaction .
These seven allergy medication for dogs are commonly prescribed by veterinarians to care allergy symptom in dogs .
Zenrelia
Zenrelia ( ilunocitinib tablets ) is a raw role player in the canid dermatology market place . approve by the FDA in September 2024 , Zenrelia is a once - casual medication for dogs with allergic and atopic dermatitis . It is a JAK inhibitor , which means it works by blocking the pathways that spark sensitised itch and inflammation.1In a head - to - head study , 77 pct of Zenrelia - treated dogs achieved clinical remission from itch ( pruritus ) compare to 53 percentage of dogs handle with Apoquel ( oclacitinib tablet ) , the competitive JAK inhibitor.2 *
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thing to Consider
Read the entirepackage insertbefore using Zenrelia , include the Boxed Warning .
Apoquel
introduce in 2014 , Apoquel ( oclacitinib ) is a commonly - prescribed medication for dogs with allergies . standardized to Zenrelia , Apoquel function by forget the output of cytokine , chemical signal that lead to itchy and inflamed skin . With Apoquel , dog are typically get down on a double - daily dose ( to calm down the allergic reaction ) , and then are tapered to once - daily drug for long - terminal figure maintenance .
This drug offers many of the benefit of other medicinal drug like prednisone / Prelone and cyclosporine , with an even low danger of side effects . In comparison to over - the - counter antihistamines like Zyrtec , Apoquel may be more effective at managing austere and chronic allergic reaction in blackguard .
Atopica
Atopica for dogs is usable in capsule form . The active component is cyclosporine , which was introduced as a handling for hotdog allergy in 2003 . This drug was intended to propose the benefits of Orasone / prednisolone , with a low-pitched risk of exposure of short - full term and long - term side impression . Some bounder have GI side gist with cyclosporine , while nearly all andiron have some level of side effects with prednisone / prednisolone .
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Cyclavance
Cyclavance is another cyclosporine pick for deal allergies in dogs . Unlike Atopica , Cyclavance is an oral root that can be given to andiron with a syringe . This could make dosing easier for pawl that have problems taking pill . Cyclavance has the same benefits and side effects of Atopica , but it is a more affordable handling option .
Prednisone/Prednisolone
Prednisoneand Pediapred have long been used to treat supersensitized reactions in a variety of metal money . These two tight related drugs ( Deltasone is metabolized to prednisolone in the trunk ) suppress the immune system , effectively do allergic reaction .
While these medication are highly effective , they can have a phone number of side effect . Veterinarians may use them for short - term relief in highly fretful dogs , but they are not typically advocate for long - term use .
Hydroxyzine
Not every hotdog need a strong medication like prednisone / prednisolone , cyclosporine , or Apoquel . In some case , an antihistamine alone is sufficient to control itchiness . Antihistamines for wienerwurst work by counteracting the action of histamine , an seditious chemical released in supersensitized reactions . Hydroxyzine is a ordinarily - used , ethical drug - strength antihistamine in veterinary music . This drug is like to Benadryl in its actions , but it can be more effective for many pets .
Clemastine
Like hydroxyzine hydrochloride , clemastine is a prescription - long suit antihistamine . It ’s more effective than Benadryl in many cases of canine allergies , but not as good as more target medicinal drug . Still , many veterinarians advocate this medicament in the causa of soft skin allergies , due to its down cost and low risk of side effect .
There is no single best allergy medicament for pawl . alternatively , the in effect discourse for each individual dog will depend on factors specific to that pet . Trial and computer error of different dog-iron allergic reaction medications is often needed to find the best option .
Dog Allergy Medications: Tips and Safety
Do not give any allergic reaction medications to your dog without first consulting your veterinarian . Although some over - the - buffet human allergy medication are safe for domestic dog , your veterinarian is the better informant of reliable information regarding dosing , side effects , and whether a impart medication may be appropriate for your pet .
spill to your veterinary surgeon before combining medication . If your dog is assume over - the - buffet medicament or prescription drug medication hold from another veterinarian , check that that your veterinarian is aware of this before start a new prescription medication . Allergy medications can interact with each other , leading to an increased risk of infection of side effects . Do not combine medications unless apprise to do so by your veterinary .
ultimately , unwritten medicament alone is not effective for every allergic reaction casing . In many grammatical case , your vet may recommend extra treatments , such asparasite prevention , medicated allergy shampoo for dogs , a hypoallergenic diet , allergy testing , or adjunct treatment ( such aslong - act injections ) either alone or in addition to an oral medicament .
Allergies in dogs are managed , not cured . Your dog will in all probability require womb-to-tomb discourse , unless you are somehow able to prevent all photo to their allergens . Therefore , it ’s important to mould closely with your vet , collaborating to determine the most effective treatment protocol for your individual dog .
References
1 Forster S , Boegel A , Despa S , et al . Comparative efficaciousness and safety of ilunocitinib and oclacitinib for the mastery of pruritus and associated cutis lesions in dogs with atopic dermatitis . Veterinary Dermatology . 2025 ; 1–10 .
2 Elanco Animal Health . Data on File .
- ( P≤0.05).The primary sketch endpoint was non - inferiority at Day 28 , with an optional lengthiness phase through Day 112 . extra endpoint P value are not adjust for multiple testing ; therefore , caution should be exercised in rendering .
- Cost may vary depending on andiron weight . [ 2024 Zoetis Petcare Products Veterinary Price List vs. 2024 Elanco Zenrelia Veterinary List Price ]
