If your dog suffers from allergies, you may wonder if Piriton can help. Piriton is a type of medication that can relieve itching, sneezing, and other symptoms caused by allergic reactions. However, before you give Piriton to your dog, you should know how it works, when to use it, and what risks it may pose.
Key Takeaways
- Piriton is an antihistamine that can treat allergic conditions in dogs.
- It should be given with a vet’s prescription and in the right dosage to avoid side effects or poisoning.
- There are alternatives to Piriton that may be more suitable for some dogs.
How Much Piriton Can I Give My Dog?
To give your dog Piriton, you’ll need to consult a Vet. Because if given randomly, it can have severe side effects. Generally, vets suggest giving the medication 3 times a day. The dosage can vary as per the allergy or symptoms.
So, when is Piriton given to the dog?
Piriton is given to dogs under the following circumstances:
- When the dog is suffering from hayfever
- Has an allergic reaction
- Bitten by insects
These discomforts and symptoms irritate your dog, make them anxious, and they start behaving badly. Giving them a dosage of Piriton will help improve their condition because it contains active ingredients such as chlorphenamine.
This active ingredient halts the reaction to a specific substance i.e. food allergies, reduces risks of curating symptoms leading to reactions, and provides relief from the itchiness of such reactions.
Piriton Dose For Dogs
A small dog who weighs 20 pounds can take 1/2 a Piriton tablet i.e. 4mg. And bigger dogs weighing more than 20 pounds can take between 1 to 2 tablets which is the maximum dose of 8mg. Hence, a regular dose is between 2mg and 8mg for a bigger dog.
Likewise, if you are using the syrup, the prescription from the Vet is to give 5ml to small dogs and 10-20ml to bigger ones. Both tablets and syrup need to be given orally maintaining a time buffer of 8 or 12 hours.
Once you give the medication, you will observe the changes. Your dog’s health will surely improve in the next 24 hours. However, you may see them feel drowsy but, gradually they get back to normal. If the drowsiness is persistent you need to consult a vet as it could indicate a side effect of the medication.
Side effects of Piriton in Dog
If you are giving your dog an excessive amount of Piriton tablets, then it will cause some health issues. Even if you provide in small amount, the breed of dogs also respond differently to the medications and chances are they will exhibit side effects as well.
Following are the side effects to look for:
- Drowsiness
The content of Piriton tablets for dogs also retains sedating antihistamines. Hence, dogs get sleepy after consuming the medication. So, it’s crucial to manage the dosage otherwise the drowsiness will continue and may lead to other medical complications, especially in smaller breeds. However, the second-generation antihistamines are in non-drowsy form so you can ask the vet if giving such medicine is possible.
- Diarrhoea or Constipation
Your dog may suffer from diarrhoea if they ingest too many Piroton tablets. Different dog breeds react in different ways. Some may just have minor constipation while others may have diarrhoea. If the symptoms prevail for more than 2 days you need to visit the nearest vet clinic and get your dog checked.
- Vomiting
Whenever you introduce a new food or give your dog medication, their instinct is to not ingest that item. They will vomit. Check the vomit and see if the tablet is present. If the vomiting continues, and you see them rejecting the tablet, immediately stop giving them the medication.
- Dry mouth
When your dog has Piriton, they are likely to show signs of a dry mouth. The dog will feel constantly feel thirsty. Make sure you have enough supply of fresh water to keep your mouth moist in such a situation.
- Changes in behaviour
Once you give your dog a dose of Piriton, you’ll see a significant shift in their behaviour. The most common one is – difficulty sleeping. The dogs will not get enough sleep and will feel dull. Also, dogs tend to get aggressive after taking the medication. In such cases, it’s important to continuously monitor their behaviour.
To minimize the impact of the medication you will need to consult a vet and get the prescription accordingly. Chances are your dog will not suffer from these side effects.
Now, there is a common confusion surrounding the three medications – Piriton, Piriteze, and Benadryl. Many dog owners have the misconception of all of them are the same. Piriteze and Benadryl have cetirizine hydrochloride as the ingredient and this is not safe for dogs. An overdose of the Piriton tablet can cause antihistamine poisoning in dogs.
Antihistamine Poisoning In Dogs
Apart from the active ingredient i.e. chlorphenamine, the antihistamine also retains combination ingredients such as aspirin, caffeine, codeine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine. The poisoning occurs when there is an overdose. Following are the symptoms to look out for:
- Rapid or Irregular heartbeat
- Hyperactivity
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Confusion
Handling the antihistamine will require medication or treatment. So, whenever you observe the symptoms suggesting poisoning you need to visit your vet. After monitoring your dog’s condition a vet will suggest treatment or prescribe medicines.
Alternative of Piriton
Some dogs may not ingest the portion tablets or have an allergy towards them, in any case, having an alternative is crucial. Here are some of the alternatives you can try:
Zyrtec
This medication is one of the well-known alternatives. This is mainly because of its convenient dosing schedule. Dogs that weigh over 10 pounds receive a single 10mg tablet once daily. And the dogs who are weighing less, simply have to take half of a 10mg tablet. Side effects are very minimal, and the one that will happen is that your dog becomes drowsy, apart from this there are no critical side effects.
Chlortimeton
Clortimeton is another ideal alternative to Piritone. This antihistamine is useful for dogs and cats as well. Your furry friend will only need two doses a day because the average dog would get ¼mg per pound.
Other such alternatives include Atarax and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid). Atarax is considered one of the most effective antihistamines but, is a prescription only. The dosage of this medication for dogs is 1mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times a day. In addition, EPA retains Omega-3 fatty acids which are effective in dealing with allergies.
FAQs
Can you give Piriton to Puppies?
Piriton for puppy is not a bad idea. The vets do suggest this medication to tackle the allergies in small pups. You can give them half tablets, so, if a bigger dog is having about 1mg per pound, you can give puppies 0.5mg.
Is Piriteze the same as Piriton?
No, they are not. Piriton’s active ingredient is chlorpheniramine and is safe for dogs. Piriteze retains cetirizine hydrochloride as the active ingredient and is not safe for use as medication.
Are pharmacists allowed to sell Piriton if they know it’s for a dog?
No, pharmacists cannot legally sell Piriton if they know it’s for a dog or any other animal. So, if you wish to use the medication, it’s crucial to get a prescription from the Vet or written permission to buy it from the pharmacy.
Final Take On – How Much Piriton Can I Give My Dog?
In concluding remarks, we will say that giving Piriton tablets or syrup is safe, but, you need to cautiously approach your dog with these antihistamines. This means, getting proper consultation from the vet and making sure the dosage is accurate, leaving no scope for side effects post-ingestion.
Remember, buying Piriton from a pharmacy without a Vet consultation is not a good idea. Having said that, giving this medication to your dog without your vet’s advice can cause some severe health issues. For more assurance, you can also check the medicine license using the UK government’s site.
