Ever wonder what’s in your dog’s meds? Do you worry about side effects? Forget to ask your veterinarian and feel rushed when leaving? An obvious question arises each time our dogs are given medications! How do these work?
If your dog has been prescribed Temaril-P or if you think they should be, keep reading to find out more about this antihistamine used to relieve several conditions in dogs.
Table of Contents
What is Temaril-P for dogs?
Your dog’s skin and coat health are indications as to whether your dog is experiencing adverse reactions to an allergen. Itchy and irritated skin in dogs will worsen when dogs scratch and bite the skin surface’s affected area.
This exacerbates skin inflammation and sometimes leads to bleeding. Glucocorticoids like Temaril-P help manage chronic atopic dermatitis in dogs.
Temaril-P is composed of two active ingredients that work together:
- 5 mg of trimeprazine tartrate (USP) 10-[3-(Dimethylamino)-2-methylpropyl] phenothiazine tartrate (2:1) equivalent to trimeprazine
- 2 mg prednisolone.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis
Temaril-P, also known as trimeprazine, is a medication used to manage itching in dogs and other histamine-related reactions. It also contains prednisolone, an antihistamine that helps alleviate inflammation by controlling the inflammatory pathways.
To address the inflammation issue, you’ll need to consult with your veterinarian, who will most likely prescribe Temaril-P for your pup. It is a very beneficial aid in reducing and treating itching and inflammation in dogs with chronic atopic dermatitis.
Temaril-P is a corticosteroid and helps suppress most coughs in dogs, including kennel cough, but does not help with any cardiac origin coughs. Temaril-P helps lessen the duration of kennel cough and the chances of your dog infecting his friends in the vicinity. It also makes dogs feel more relaxed and sleeping because they are not coughing as much.
How does Temaril-P work?
When it comes to helping your pup, Temaril-P works in three ways:
- Antipruritic
- Antitussive
- Anti-inflammatory issues
Antipruritic
Temaril-P is used to alleviate itching regardless of the cause. The formula is exclusive and only used by veterinarians. It combines the antipruritic and antitussive action of trimeprazine with prednisolone’s anti-inflammatory effect (a corticosteroid).
Prednisolone helps reduce inflammation and itchiness and helps with pain from the swelling associated with inflammation by being:
- an effective anti-itch medication, Temaril-P, is prescribed by your veterinarian to relieve itching, regardless of the cause.
- A drug that reduces inflammation is usually associated with many canine skin disorders like eczema resulting from internal disorders, otitis, and dermatitis.
- Highly effective in relieving itching that is caused by allergic, inflammatory, and parasitic dermatoses.
Your veterinarian will first have to determine the cause of the pruritus and then attempt to treat it. If a correct diagnosis is not reached, the itch is likely to return when treatment is discontinued.
Temaril-P can be given to dogs with acute or chronic bacterial infections if they are on antibiotics or chemotherapeutic medications.
Antitussive
Studies indicate that Temaril-P works in treating various cough conditions in dogs. Besides treating all sorts of itching, it is also used to treat kennel cough or tracheobronchitis, including allergic bronchitis, coughs, and infections.
Your veterinarian will typically first determine the cause of the cough and then prescribe medication as a treatment. If a correct diagnosis is not reached, the cough will return as soon as the medication treatment is discontinued.
Anti-inflammatory issues
Antihistamines block receptors are involved in the processes that cause itching and inflammation. Prednisolone in Temaril-P acts as an anti-inflammatory and is beneficial in reducing swelling associated with inflammation. It is a corticosteroid that also is beneficial in disease management when the immune system is affected.
Cortisol, a natural corticosteroid, is usually made by the body. It is essential for life and affects a dog’s metabolism and all cell and organ function. Corticosteroids regulate various actions at a cellular level, and their inflammatory benefits are enormous.
Prednisolone is made when the liver metabolizes Prednisone. It is easier to absorb than Prednisone and is a better option for dogs with pre-existing liver conditions. Prednisolone also inhibits the duplication of lymphocytes.
Works together with antibiotics
When combined with antibiotics to prevent inflammation, Temaril-P can be given to dogs with either chronic or acute bacterial infections. That said, the condition needs to be controlled with the right antibiotics or chemotherapeutic medications.
Benefits of Temaril-P for dogs
When our pets are feeling ill, we naturally want only the best medical science offers. Temaril-P has been shown to help with three primary conditions: Dermatitis, Pruritus, and bronchial issues. We’ll have a quick look at these diseases.
Dermatitis
Most dogs will probably suffer from dermatitis at some stage in their lives. There are numerous causes of skin inflammation in dogs, including:
- external irritants
- burns
- allergens
- trauma
- infection (bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal.)
Dermatitis is the result of the skin’s response to an irritant and can manifest itself as:
- scaling
- itching
- redness
- skin thickening
- hot spots
- hair loss and scabbing.
Pruritus
Pruritus results when the skin reacts by scabbing and crusting. The inflammation will progress, and if it reaches both the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) and the deepest layer (dermis), there will be a fluid discharge combined with pain and skin shedding.
If the dermatitis is left untreated, secondary bacterial and yeast infections develop. Temaril-P helps suppress and reduce inflammation and prevents self-trauma from the itching until your veterinarian can diagnose the underlying cause.
Bronchial issues
Temaril-P is also used to treat allergic lung problems. It can also be used in the management of chronic bronchitis and helps dogs feel more comfortable. By managing a persistent cough, your dog can benefit from some rest.
Temaril-P dosage for dogs
As with any veterinary treatment, it’s always necessary to follow your veterinarian-prescribed exact dosage. Temaril-P is an oral tablet that consists of two active ingredients mixed with fillers.
Tablets are more physically and chemically stable than liquid medication. That said, tablets can have a low absorption rate of poorly water-soluble drugs and can irritate the stomach or digestive tract lining.
Temaril-P dosages are given twice daily with food. The dosage is based on the dog’s weight accordingly:
- half a tablet twice daily for dogs up to 10 pounds
- one tablet twice daily for dogs weighing 11-20 pounds
- two tablets twice daily for dogs weighing 21-40 pounds
- three tablets daily for dogs weighing over 40 pounds.
This medication’s usual duration is four days, but if further treatment is needed, the dosage is reduced by half. Consult with your veterinarian in this regard.
Side effects of Temaril-P for dogs
While being a very effective treatment for various ailments, Temaril-P works by suppressing your pet’s immune system, making him susceptible to secondary infections and other alarming side effects.
Possible side effects of short-term use
If your dog is prescribed a short regimen of Temaril-P, you can keep an eye out for the following reactions:
- sedation
- exposed third eyelid
- tremors
- weakness and lethargy
- blood disorders
- excessive thirst
- excessive appetite
- excessive urination
- weight gain
- panting
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- behavioral changes.
Possible side effects of long-term use
The longer your dog needs to be on the medication, the more severe and prominent the side effects might be. If you observe the following reactions, please contact your vet, who might reconsider the treatment schedule.
- muscle Loss
- weakness
- development of diabetes
- Cushing’s Disease
- thin skin
- potbelly
- unhealthy hair coat.
Acute reactions
If your dog shows any signs of a severe allergic reaction to Temaril-P, contact your veterinarian immediately. Symptoms include:
- hives
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of face, tongue, and lips.
When should Temaril-P not be prescribed?
Pregnant or lactating dogs should not be given this medication. Dogs that have severe fungal or bacterial infections should also not be given Temaril-P. Furthermore, dogs that have diabetes or any other chronic health conditions should not be prescribed this drug.
Temaril-P’s interaction with other drugs
You will need to let your veterinarian know what supplements, medications, and vitamins your dog is taking before getting a prescription for Temaril-P since interactions may occur with the following:
- Organophosphates
- Procaine hydrochloride phenytoin
- Digitalis
- Epinephrine
- Phenobarbital
- Amphotericin B
- Rifampin cyclosporine
- Estrogens
- Erythromycin
- Mitotane
- Quinidine
- Sedatives
- General anesthetics
- Pain medications
- Pepto- Bismol
- Other antidiarrheal mixtures
- Antacids
There is also an increased possibility of your dog getting ulcers if Temaril-P is used together with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAID’s) These include the following:
- Aspirin
- Carprofen (Rimadyl),
- Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
- Etodolac (EtoGesic)
Dogs should also not be given live vaccinations when on high doses of corticosteroids. Consult with your veterinarian about your dog’s history, vaccination schedule, and current medications.
Final thoughts on medicating with Temaril-P
Sooner or later, your dog will need to take medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Understanding how these veterinary medications work will help both you and your pup! There will be some medications that can only be taken with food or some on an empty stomach.
Always consult with your veterinarian if you have any doubts regarding dosage or interactions with other medications. If your veterinarian does not discuss the side effects and possible allergic reactions to Temaril-P, inquire about them so that you’ll know what to look out for. As always, continue giving your pup the medications until completed or otherwise instructed by your vet.
