Tavist for Dogs

Tavist is an antihistamine medicine that is frequently used for dogs when they experience allergic reactions. If your pet suffers from regular allergies, Tavist can help him to reduce his overall symptoms and discomfort. Tavist is available through a veterinarian's prescription only; you'll need to have your vet diagnose your dog's allergies before you can provide him with the medicine. Read on for a brief overview of Tavist and how you can use it to help ease your pet's condition.

Tavist Overview

Tavist is a brand name version of the drug called clemastine, which is an antihistamine. When your dog's body comes into contact with an offending allergen, it reacts by producing chemicals called histamines. These chemicals float through your dog's bloodstream and eventually come into contact with receptor cells located throughout his body. When the histamine chemicals bond with these receptor cells, the result is the common symptoms of an allergic reaction, including itchiness, redness and inflammation.

Tavist works by blocking the process by which the receptor cells attach to the histamine molecules. This therefore eliminates a good portion of the results of that bonding, as well as the symptoms of the allergic reaction.

This medicine is actually available over the counter as a human medicine. It is specifically designed for human use only, but veterinarians can recommend it for its extra label functions as well. Do not give your pet Tavist without first receiving a prescription from a veterinarian.

Using Tavist for Your Dog

Tavist should be used when your pet suffers from topical allergic reactions. It can also be used for cases of atopy as well. The medicine is provided in tablet form and as an oral syrup as well, although most vets and pet owners will recommend the tablet form as being the best and easiest to use. It can be ground up and mixed with your pet's food or provided alongside a dog treat.

The exact dosage of this medicine will be dependent upon your pet's allergies, the severity of his reaction, his weight and any other health conditions that he has concurrently.

Side Effects and Risks of Tavist

Tavist is generally very safe for use in dogs. However, if your pet has certain conditions, he should not take this medicine. These include:

  • Glaucoma
  • Lung damage
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Heart disease

The side effects of using Tavist are generally uncommon and mild. The most common of these include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, gastric upset and sedation. However, it's also possible for your dog to suffer from a more serious allergic reaction to Tavist. In these cases, he may have difficulty breathing or lose consciousness. If you notice these or any other symptoms of a reaction to Tavist in your pet, take your dog in to an emergency veterinary center for immediate attention. Inform your vet of any side effects that you notice.

 

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