Kate and Kloever
Member Since 2015
Hi ALL!!! Was wondering if anyone has given their sugar babies any allergy medication that doesn't raise BG? Any info would be greatly appreciated! 
Thanks!!! I will definitely check with my Vet!Hi Kate,
I treat Saoirse with Piriton. It hasn't affected her BGs adversely. (Dose 1/4 of a 4mg tablet BID for a 10lb cat - prescribed by our vet.) Even though it's an OTC medication, if you are interested in giving it to Kloever you should speak with your vet first to see if it is suitable for her.
Mogs
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This makes perfect sense. Chlorphenamine maleate (and diphenhydramine) are first generation antihistamines, meaning that they usually can cross the blood-brain barrier (that's why they make you/your cat sleepy). Zyrtec is a 2nd-generation antihistamine (doesn't cross blood-brain barrier as much), but my experience has been you have to build up a certain load of it before it starts working; so if you don't take it every single day, it's less effective when you do take it. I do think it might start to work less well if you take it long-term though, but I don't have evidence to back that up.I had been using chlorphenamine maleate on my cat but I thought it was making him sleepy - so I switched to zyrtec 5 mg/twice a day - I used that for at least 6 months and worked like a charm until very lately - it seemed to be having less of an effect so I switched back to chlorphenamine maleate. My vet said you can also use loratadine (Claritin) but I haven't done that.
Zyrtec was really working well, and for some reason, during the height of fall hay fever season, my cat was very stuffed up again. Switched to chlorpheniramine a few days ago, and there is marked improvement ---maybe I'll just switch them out every couple of monthsThis makes perfect sense. Chlorphenamine maleate (and diphenhydramine) are first generation antihistamines, meaning that they usually can cross the blood-brain barrier (that's why they make you/your cat sleepy). Zyrtec is a 2nd-generation antihistamine (doesn't cross blood-brain barrier as much), but my experience has been you have to build up a certain load of it before it starts working; so if you don't take it every single day, it's less effective when you do take it. I do think it might start to work less well if you take it long-term though, but I don't have evidence to back that up.
Loratidine is generally less strong compared to cetirizine (aka, Zyrtec); so I'd be surprised if that worked if the cetirizine doesn't... but there's probably only one way to know for sure!
Your cat sounds like me! This is basically my regimen too. LOLZyrtec was really working well, and for some reason, during the height of fall hay fever season, my cat was very stuffed up again. Switched to chlorpheniramine a few days ago, and there is marked improvement ---maybe I'll just switch them out every couple of months
My cat also has liver issues - I specifically asked my vet if it is safe long term and she told me yes, but you should check with your vet regarding Mr. Biddless zyrtec safe to give long term? why am i thinking i saw somewhere it shouldnt be?
mr b has liver issues. would it be safe?