Having a dog for a pet can be an incredibly rewarding experience. They will always stand by your side and be there when you need them. They don't judge and they always listen. But having a dog is also a whole world of responsibility.

Dogs require a lot of attention and care. Cats are a little freer to roam, but when you have a dog you need to give it plenty of time. Many dogs develop anxiety issues because their owners leave them in the house all day while they are at work. Hiring a dogwalker to make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise is a great way to help prevent some medical issues with your pet.

The same with people, an active dog is a healthy dog. And if your pet is getting a great workout every day, they will be less susceptible to health issues. Still, in many cases there is only so much preventative care you can do.

Just like humans, many pets have allergies that require medications. It is important to discuss what your pet's symptoms are with your vet before you start any sort of medication regiment though. Here are a few examples of medicine for dogs that you might encounter when treating canine allergies.

Atopica (Cyclosporine)

Have you noticed chronic irritation on your dog's skin? Do they constantly scratch and itch, making matters worse? Then your dog might be suffering from a skin allergy called atopic dermatitis.

If your vet diagnoses your dog with atopic dermatitis then they might prescribe a medicine called Atopica. Atopica is a form of cyclosporine that is taken orally.

Atopica works by forming a microemulsion inside an aqueous environment. Cyclosporine, which is Atopica's active ingredient, is what is known as a cyclic polypeptide. It has 11 different amino acids in it that help to modulate your pet's immune system.

If you have a very small dog though, Atopica might not be the right medication for your pet. This medicine is designed for dogs that weigh at least four pounds. Also, be wary of using this medicine if you dog suffers from kidney or liver disease, or if they have malignant neoplasia.

Clemastine (Rx)

Clemastine is an antihistamine that is prescribed to many dogs and cats and is taken orally. These 2.68mg tablets must be procured through a prescription from your veterinarian.

When storing Clemastine, make sure you keep it stored in a light resistant, tightly sealed, child-proof container. You should also store it at room temperature.

Similar to allergy medications for human beings, Clemastine is not a miracle cure that will magically make all of your pet's allergies go away forever. Instead, it simply serves as a way to treat the symptoms temporarily.

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a versatile prescription drug that is used not only to treat allergies in dogs and cats, but can also be prescribed to help with inflammation as well. It can be used to help ease suffering in the joints, to help with some nonspecific skin conditions, and to benefit a number of different maladies.

There are several things to remember when administering this medication. For one, only use it as your veterinarian directs. Make sure you read the label as well.

Dexamethasone should always be given with food. It occasionally comes in liquid form as well. If that is the case, make sure you take your time and measure. You should try and keep your pet on a regular medication schedule as well. Focus on giving it at the same time each and every day, and strive to not miss any doses.

While some side effects may occur, the best way to reduce the chance of this is to give the medicine with food. A few side effects that you may encounter, however, include panting, weakness, weight loss, hair loss, excessive thirst or eating, diarrhea, or lack of appetite. If any of these side effects worsen or appear severe, consult your vet immediately.

Temaril-P (trimeprazine with prednisone)

Temaril-P is a prescription pet medication that vets often prescribe to not only relieve itching, but also as a cough suppressant. The nice thing about Temaril-P is that it can be prescribed to treat many different reasons for itching. In most cases, the cause does not matter.

Temaril-P can be used to treat many common canine skin disorders, such as eczema, dermatitis, and otitis. Be careful giving this drug to any dog that might be pregnant, suffer from stomach ulcers, have diabetes, or a history of epilepsy or seizures.

Caring for a dog is certainly a lot of work, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. The amount of effort that you put into caring for your pet will surely be returned exponentially. With these common canine allergy drugs, you can make sure your dog stays symptom-free and happy.