Symptoms of antihistamine poisoning in dogs include: Rapid heartbeat. Irregular heartbeat. Hyperactivity.
Yes, you can give loratadine to dogs, it is usually well tolerated and is unlikely to produce side effects such as drowsiness that tend to happen with some of the older antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (also known as Benadryl).
Generally, loratadine is well tolerated by dogs because it does not produce side effects like the older antihistamines can, especially drowsiness.
Recommended Dosage
Fiona, Loratadine can be given to dogs at a dosage of 0.12 mg/lb to 0.22 mg/lb (0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg) to relieve allergy symptoms.
In living animals, hyperactivity, depression, hypersalivation, tachypnea, and tachycardia are the most common signs reported with ethanolamine-based antihistamines, usually occurring within 1 h of exposure (10). With overdose, dogs may also exhibit mydriasis, dry mucous membranes, disorientation, and fever (10).
The typical dosage for Benadryl in dogs is 2-4 mg/kg of body weight every 8-12 hours. Higher doses greater than 5 mg/kg can have toxic side effects such as seizures, respiratory depression and cardiovascular effects.
In overdose symptoms can include dizziness, tachycardia, headache drowsiness or agitation. While the current generation of lesser sedating antihistamines do not affect the QT interval at normal doses (unlike the previous generation of medicines), there are concerns there may be some effect in overdose.
loratadine (Claratyne®) – also second gen. It is available as 10 mg tablets. The dose is 5–20 mg/dog once daily.
Loratadine is dosed in dogs at 0.1 mg per pound to 0.55 mg per pound of body weight (0.25 to 1.1 mg/kg) once daily or divided twice daily.
Loratadine (Claritin): ¼ mg per pound (half of a 10mg tablet per 20 lbs) once daily.
Contact 111 for advice if: You've taken more than your usual dose of loratadine and: you get a headache, have a fast heartbeat or feel sleepy.
Second generation antihistamines such as loratadine have very few adverse effects; however, insomnia, headache, fatigue, drowsiness and rash have been reported. Symptoms of loratadine overdose include gastrointestinal side effects, agitation, drowsiness, tachycardia, and headache.
If you are taking loratadine to treat hives, and you develop any of the following symptoms, get emergency medical help right away: difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing; swelling in and around the mouth or swelling of the tongue; wheezing; drooling; dizziness; or loss of consciousness.
The dosing schedule is also much more convenient, with dogs weighing over 10 lbs getting a single 10mg tablet once daily. Dogs weighing less than 10 lbs can have half of a 10mg tablet once daily. Chlortrimeton is another excellent antihistamine for dogs, and is the drug of choice for kitty allergies as well.
Loratadine is used to treat allergy symptoms, including runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching of the eyes, nose or throat.
If a healthy adult takes only a slightly higher dose of antihistamine, such as accidentally taking two pills instead of one, their symptoms may not be serious, or they may not have any symptoms. However, a larger overdose, especially in children or older adults, may cause serious symptoms.
In adolescents, adults, and geriatrics: 10 mg by mouth daily: generally dosing should not exceed 10 mg in 24 hours. However, some patients may benefit from higher doses - clinicians should weigh the risk vs. benefit. In pediatrics over the age of 6: 10 mg by mouth daily as needed.
Fexofenadine is available over the counter but should not be administered unless under the supervision and guidance of a veterinarian. This drug is not approved for use in animals by the Food and Drug Administration but it is prescribed legally by veterinarians as an extra-label drug.
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—One tablet every 12 hours. Each tablet contains 5 milligrams (mg) loratadine and 120 mg pseudoephedrine. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours. Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the standard dose for Benadryl® is 2–4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.9–1.8 milligrams (mg) of Benadryl® per pound. Therefore, a simple and practical dose is 1 mg of Benadryl® per pound of your dog's weight, given two to three times a day.
This medication will take effect in one to two hours and improvement of your pet's symptoms should follow.