Hydroxyzine is a common antihistamine used for dogs. This Buzzle article will tell you how to use hydroxyzine for dogs, its various applications, and the side effects you need to look out for.
Did You Know?
The chances of hydroxyzine side effects are more if the drug is administered intravenously to a dog.
The chances of hydroxyzine side effects are more if the drug is administered intravenously to a dog.
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine drug that reduces allergic symptoms
such as hives, atopy, and dermatitis, both in humans and pets like dogs
and cats. This drug is known by several other names, like Atarax,
Hydroxyzine HCL, Hydroxyzine pamoate, and Vistaril. It is not an
FDA-approved drug for use in veterinary medicine, but is legally
prescribed by veterinarians for dogs and cats.
Whenever an allergen such as pollen grains or dust particles enters the body, the immune system kicks into action and secretes chemicals called histamines. These histamines travel to the blood vessels, smooth muscles, respiratory tract, and heart, and get attached to certain structures called 'histamine-receptors' located on the cells. This causes the blood vessels to widen and become more porous, leading to the fluid leaking from the vessels into the tissue. This is the common reason why histamines cause a runny nose and teary eyes. Histamine also affects nerves, causing an itchy sensation in the skin and eyes. Antihistamines are chemicals that block the histamine receptors or the histamines and reduce the itchy sensation caused during allergic reactions.
Normally, there are two types of histamine receptors: H1 and H2 receptors. While attachment of histamines to H1 causes allergic symptoms such as itching and runny nose, the H2 receptors modify the heart rate and rate of breathing. Hydroxyzine is called a H1 antagonist, which means that it acts by blocking the attachment of histamine molecules to the H1 receptors. Hydroxyzine does not affect the H2 receptors, which is why its uptake does not influence heart rate and breathing. So basically what happens is, when substances like pollen grains come in contact with the body, it mistakes them to be harmful substances, and initiates an allergic response to them. Using hydroxyzine for dogs will alleviate these allergic symptoms.
Whenever an allergen such as pollen grains or dust particles enters the body, the immune system kicks into action and secretes chemicals called histamines. These histamines travel to the blood vessels, smooth muscles, respiratory tract, and heart, and get attached to certain structures called 'histamine-receptors' located on the cells. This causes the blood vessels to widen and become more porous, leading to the fluid leaking from the vessels into the tissue. This is the common reason why histamines cause a runny nose and teary eyes. Histamine also affects nerves, causing an itchy sensation in the skin and eyes. Antihistamines are chemicals that block the histamine receptors or the histamines and reduce the itchy sensation caused during allergic reactions.
Normally, there are two types of histamine receptors: H1 and H2 receptors. While attachment of histamines to H1 causes allergic symptoms such as itching and runny nose, the H2 receptors modify the heart rate and rate of breathing. Hydroxyzine is called a H1 antagonist, which means that it acts by blocking the attachment of histamine molecules to the H1 receptors. Hydroxyzine does not affect the H2 receptors, which is why its uptake does not influence heart rate and breathing. So basically what happens is, when substances like pollen grains come in contact with the body, it mistakes them to be harmful substances, and initiates an allergic response to them. Using hydroxyzine for dogs will alleviate these allergic symptoms.
Uses
✔ Remedy for allergic reactions like hives (utricaria), itching, and rashes
✔ Given as a sedative for anxious dogs
✔ Remedy for allergic reactions to
snakebites
vaccination
blood transfusion
insect stings
inhaled allergens
✔ To treat motion sickness due to its anti-nausea effect
✔ To be given in combination with corticosteroids, when hydroxyzine alone doesn't work
✔ Given as a sedative for anxious dogs
✔ Remedy for allergic reactions to
snakebites
vaccination
blood transfusion
insect stings
inhaled allergens
✔ To treat motion sickness due to its anti-nausea effect
✔ To be given in combination with corticosteroids, when hydroxyzine alone doesn't work
Side Effects
- Sedation
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Depression
- General lethargy
- Anxiety
- Coordination problems
- Fine/whole body tremors
- Weakness
- Overly excited behavior
- Dehydration
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vision problems
- Confusion
- Loss of appetite
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