Cetirizine for Pets: Effective Allergy & Itch Relief Antihistamine

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Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cetirizine is an antihistamine that can be used to help lessen seasonal allergy symptoms. It is sometimes used in dogs with some efficacy- works for some dogs and not so well for others. Please be sure to obtain all dosing information for this drug from Barney's veterinarian. I hope this helps!

Antihistamines, like cetirizine, don't often work well in dogs. It is worth a try to use them but dogs metabolize them so quickly they just don't have the effect you would expect in most cases. Also, remember, if his scratching is not due to an allergy then that may be why it is not working. After 4 hours you should have noticed it working already.

The only medication is the amoxicillin, and itching is not a common side effect. The other are supplements, and I cannot find information on their side effects, you should talk to the vet that prescribed them. My concern with lymphocytosis would be lymphoma, which could possibly cause the itching. Cetirizine is an antihistamine, and it would only help if there was a mild allergic reaction. https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/lymphoma-1/

You should see an improvement of symptoms within a few hours of administration. If not, you can discuss a different antihistamine, OTC or prescription, with your veterinarian. Just as in people, different antihistamines may be more effective in different dogs. Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose, so discuss allergy testing, hydrolyzed diets and food elimination trials with your veterinarian in addition to antihistamine use.

It should begin to work within a couple hours of administration. The half life allows for once daily dosing in cats. That said, not all antihistamines are effective in every cat. You must find the one that is most effective for your cat.

Legally, we are prohibited from providing doses, even for OTC medications, in the absence of a physical exam and VPCR ( Veterinarian-Patient-Client Relationship). A true and valid VPCR cannot be established in an online forum. Additionally, the itching and scratching may not be due to allergies, in which case the cetirizine will be ineffective. Ideally, Suki should be seen by your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking or chewing. Confirm she is on a flea preventive and check her over for any stray fleas. Discuss allergy testing, food elimination trials and hydrolyzed diets with the vet.

Benadryl capsules can be used as long as it is not the Extended Release formula. Claritin (loratidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) can also be used in dogs. Contact your veterinarian for an appropriate dose. Do not combine antihistamines. Use just one and switch if it does not seem to be effective.