Treating Your Pet's Itchy Irritated Skin

Skin irritation is an immune response that can make pets miserable. But much like human allergic reactions, most skin afflictions are easily treated, and luckily, cats and dogs can take a form of the same medication that doctors prescribe to us to combat itchy, red skin. It's called chlorpheniramine, a powerful antihistamine with a high rate of success and it is available in various forms; capsules, tablets and syrup.

Common Forms of Dermatitis

The three most common forms of dermatitis are caused by fleas, inhalation of or direct contact with an allergen, and possible reaction to the ingredients in your pet's food. Each form of stimuli often leads to red, swollen, itchy skin which your loved one will scratch repeatedly and if severe enough, could result in hair loss of the affected area or even a bacterial infection from broken, scratched skin. Some allergic reactions can also lead to coughing, sneezing, and other respiratory issues. The first tell-tale signs that a cat or dog has some manner of skin irritation is excessive scratching, chewing, and/or licking of various parts of the body.

Symptoms Skin Irritation

There are a number of possible reactions your pet can be having and where they may appear on the body: Cat miliary dermatitis is primarily found on the back of the cat and is often related to flea bites, Symmetrical Alopecia generally shows up on the belly, abdomen and legs and looks like the pet's hair is falling out, Granuloma Complex which often reveals itself through itchy, lacerated lesions on the legs, and Head and Neck Pruritus, a reaction centered around the head and neck which is sometimes confused with common food allergies that also reveal their symptoms in the same general areas. Fleas and mites that cause allergic reactions in pets can show their symptoms in similar ways to all four of these common skin reactions and a flea treatment will usually be administered with chlorpheniramine to ease the discomfort from the parasitic bites.

Side Effects and Caution with Using Chlopheniramine

Administering chlorpheniramine to your pet is widely regarded as a safe and effective antihistamine to combat the symptoms of dermatitis and other allergic reactions. There may be some minor side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth and vomiting. It is also important, before starting any kind of antihistamine regimen, to tell your veterinarian if your pet is taking any prescriptions as there could be adverse reactions if chlorpheniramine is mixed with other medications. Pets who are pregnant should also not take this antihistamine, nor should pets with glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart disease or lung disease. Any medical conditions your pet has should be reported to your veterinarian, and it is imperative that your dog or cat receives a full check up to make sure your their irritation diagnosis isn't something more severe or life threatening than a standard allergy.