Dog people/vets: dog with hayfever - FAO Monkey Mavis!

Personally, and it is up to you, but if you think it is an allergy I would probably try a few days (week) on Piriton (not Piriteze) and see if it makes a difference. What type of dog is it / what does he weigh?

I know that you can give dogs antihistamines - which might help, but I'd be wary of just giving him them without checking as I can't remember which ones are suitable. Would your vet give advice on the phone if you suggested it and explained it's after walks etc? I use cromoglycate eyedrops for hayfever myself, but again, I wouldn't be happy with just giving them withuot vet advice. I know some dogs can get very itchy pads after walking through fields in the summer too, and are given antihistamines for this.

I think the only OTC medicine I have ever given my boy was eyedrops for conjunctivitis, as they too are the same as human ones.

You can give dogs Piriton but not Piriteze (the non drowsy one), My GSD is on it at the moment as we think he may have an allergy.

I was thinking more over the counter at a vets/pet shop, designed for a dog! But maybe I'll call and vets and ask them for some advice first.

Thanks!

You know what, for some reason that didn't even occur to me! I wasn't thinking doggy OTC!

I hope he feels better soon, it must be horrible having hayfever-scratchy eyes when you've only got big old paws with claws to rub them with ☹️

I have customers who swear by honey bee pollen tablets for hayfever in dogs. Probably found in your local health food/supplement shop

L
xx

I am another one that seconds Piriton for dogs. I swear my little Yorkie Scamps suffers from hayfever, often sneezes and always has eye gunk (like me when i am suffering badly!)

My Vet friend said dogs can use Piriton but she didn't say whether a whole tablet or not. Definitely a little call to the vets is in order!

We prescribe antihistamines for dogs for allergies and they are all human products like piriton - there isn't a doggy equivalent (too expensive for the drug companies to do all the testing to get the license).

Antihistamines are safe - the only side effect is drowsiness.

Re needing to sedate him - could a muzzle just not be put on him and get a nurse to hold him. Most scared dogs are much better when taken away from their owners.

Thanks all. Have updated original post with a question about piriton dosage for a 10kg dog.

Only just found this!!

Yes I am a real vet! I need a bit more info - how old is your dog, is he on any other medication and does he have any medical problems?

Thank you Monkey Mavis! He is a JRT cross and is 3 years old. He doesn't have any other medical problems, and is only on these eye drops called Chloramphenicol 0.5%w/v.

Ok then piriton is fine for him - get piriton and not piriteze.

I would try 1/2 a tablet (they should be 4mg) - twice a day - you could try 3 times a day but just watch for sleepiness. The maximum dose for him would be 1 tablet 3 times daily so you have some scope.

They don't act instantly if they are going to help - so keep giving them to him for a t least a week -to 14 days. If they help then he can have them over the summer. It also helps to wipe his face with a damp flannel after walks to remove any pollen.

HTH