Claritin vs Zyrtec

Submitted by onslowsmom on February 22, 2011 - 11:05am

Go Back to Bulldog Medical Health

I am considering putting Onslow on one or the other this year for his allergies. Can you tell me if you are using either/or how much it has helped and the dosage you give your dog? Ofcourse I will talk to the vet before I put him on anything.

Thanks.

__________________

Good Question

Submitted by Katie and Chumlee MN on February 22, 2011 - 12:04pm.

Chum was just put on daily OTC allergy meds the beginning of the month. I got this neat hand out from his vet with three different options of meds to pick. I chose Benedryl because that is what I had on hand at the time and the guy needed some relief asap! It makes him sleepy :(

The hand out states:

"Be sure the medications DO NOT INCLUDE A DECONGESTANT 33-55 lbs

Diphenydramine (Benedryl) 25 mg capsule Dosage: Give up to 2 capsules every 8-12 hours

Chlorpheniramine (Chrotrimeton): 4mg capsules Dosage: Give up to 3 capsules every 8-12 hours

Loratadine (Claritin): 10 mg tablets Dosage: Give up to 2 tablets every 24 hours

Always start with the lowest end of the medication dose range. If there is no effect, dose can be increased."

Looks like Zyrtec can cause drowsiness and Claritin doesn't state that.

Chumlee also is prescribed Opcon-A OTC eye drops found in the contact lense dept for his eyes. 3 times a day during an allergy fit following the directions on the bottle for 5 days then use as maintanance.

I think I am going to try the Claritin with him because I don't like how the Benedryl makes him so sleepy.

__________________

Skasqueeeeeeakaaay!!

Katie & Chumlee

Wow thanks!

Submitted by onslowsmom on February 22, 2011 - 12:26pm.

I was leaning toward claritin because I take Zyrtec so it would be easier to keep them separate - so that is even better. Thanks so much for the info! =)

__________________

I have given Claritin

Submitted by Alicia Jay Deuc... on February 22, 2011 - 12:48pm.

Deuce gets Claritin in the summer. Just be sure NOT to get the Claritin-D or anything with the "D". I am still not really sure if it helps or not because he is still red between the toes in the summer.

Most recently

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on February 22, 2011 - 3:52pm.

for Cleo my sisters new vet recommended Claritin over Benadryl. I have used the Claritin and like it because you can get the tabs that dissolve when you stick them on the tongue. Unfortunately it didn't work for what I was trying it for....but those tabs are very convenient for dogs that hate eating pills.

And yes you don't want the Claritin - D

Question about Opcon-A

Submitted by Sally's Mom on February 23, 2011 - 5:31pm.

Hi! I noticed that you give your bully Opcon-A eye drops. I was wondering if you give these for itchy eyes? My Sally rubs her eyes first thing in the mornings and I am trying to figure if this is because of allergies??? She also gets Cyclosporene 2x day for "Dry eye".

__________________

"Still Plays In the Dirt"

Could just be boogies in the AM but I would consult your vet

Submitted by Katie and Chumlee MN on February 23, 2011 - 6:16pm.

First since she is already on a medicine. Chum gets it for itchy watery irritated eyes after ALL other possibilities were ruled out.

__________________

Skasqueeeeeeakaaay!!

Katie & Chumlee

Does she rub

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on February 23, 2011 - 7:01pm.

before or after you drop the Cyclosporin? The reason I ask is that Cyclosporin can be mixed at the pharmacy and I've heard from an eye specialist that they may use a vegetable oil that may irritate the dogs eyes when mixing. We didn't have good luck with Cyclosporin for Cleo. It was very apparent that it stung when we put it in her eyes. So we use the Poly Bac B for her dry eye and she is much happier.

Sally rubs eyes first thing in the morning

Submitted by Sally's Mom on February 24, 2011 - 5:15pm.

before I put the Cyclo in her eyes. She gets cyclo in the oinment, not drops. Immediately after putting Cyclo in, she wants to rub for about 30 seconds. I have to distract her quickly!

__________________

"Still Plays In the Dirt"

I would consult her vet again for a different med

Submitted by Katie and Chumlee MN on February 24, 2011 - 11:34pm.

she really isn't happy on this one poor girl. There are different options out there as the other ladies have stated. Don't mix the Opcon A with her Rx without consulting her vet :(

__________________

Skasqueeeeeeakaaay!!

Katie & Chumlee

my vet reccommended claritin...

Submitted by kibby5 on February 24, 2011 - 6:39am.

kibby has been on claritan, almost everyday for for a year now... it always seemed like her eyes would get watery and red, and she would get phelgmy, vet finally figured out it was allergies... says benedryl is faster acting, more for emergency allergic reactions, while claritin is more for daily usage. he says he has bullies and humans on it for years and he hasnt seen any bad reactions to it. so far so good with my kibby.. i give her the plain10mg tablet with her lunch or dinner, usually daily. i just bought some more tonite at walgreens, $22 for 60 tabs, on sale now! good luck!

__________________

sincerely, christine

SCORE! Question about thirst

Submitted by Katie and Chumlee MN on February 24, 2011 - 1:32pm.

Thanks for the timing info with the Claritin. I'm definatly going to switch Chum over to Claritin tomorrow night so I can see how he reacts and I will be around incase anything should happen.

Does the Claritin make her thirsty like Benedryl does?

__________________

Skasqueeeeeeakaaay!!

Katie & Chumlee