Buy Benadryl For Dogs ##VERIFIED##
The temptation to reach into our medicine cabinets to treat our pets can be dangerous. Humans and dogs react very differently to medications, which is why veterinarians caution dog owners against making independent decisions about how to medicate their animals. However, some human medications are safe for use with dogs, as long as they are used appropriately.
buy benadryl for dogs
Veterinarians use diphenhydramine, commonly known by the brand name Benadryl, for dogs on a regular basis to treat allergies, travel anxiety, and motion sickness. While you should always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog a human medication, here is what you need to know about using Benadryl for dogs.
Benadryl is a great medication for use in dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites all respond to Benadryl in most cases. Benadryl is commonly used to treat itchiness in dogs caused by skin allergies, and it also reduces many of the other symptoms of allergies, including:
Veterinarians prescribe Benadryl for dogs with mast cell tumors to help mitigate the effects of the massive histamine release caused by mast cell degranulation. Veterinarians sometimes prescribe diphenhydramine during heartworm treatment, as it helps reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to the heartworm treatment therapy. Benadryl makes an excellent addition to your pet first aid kit.
There are side effects associated with using Benadryl for dogs that all dog owners should be aware of. Most side effects occur within the first hour of exposure, so monitor your dog carefully during this time.
If you suspect your dog has overdosed on Benadryl, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Some dogs develop an allergic reaction to Benadryl. If your dog starts having symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek veterinary care immediately.
Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer, warns that you should always consult with a veterinarian before giving Benadryl to a puppy because young puppies can be very sensitive to certain medications. The drug is also not recommended for pregnant or nursing dogs
In some dogs, trying to give them Benadryl to calm them may have the opposite effect and make them more anxious. In addition, Benadryl should not be given to animals with certain health conditions.
Benadryl has some efficacy in the prevention of motion sickness in dogs and as a mild sedative, but the effects are not the same as with people. Some dogs and cats can actually have the opposite reaction to Benadryl, causing hyperactivity instead of sedation.
By and large, Benadryl is very well-tolerated in dogs, with few side effects and a low risk of overdose. It remains one of the safest over-the-counter drugs that veterinarians frequently reach for and recommend for their canine patients.
Oral diphenhydramine is not FDA-approved for use in veterinary medicine; however, it is a commonly accepted practice to use this medication in dogs and cats. The usual dose in dogs and cats is 0.5-2 mg/lb every 8-12 hours. The slow release capsule should not be mixed or dissolved in food.
"Veterinarians can also prescribe the dog a form of Benadryl, Vetadryl, which is the FDA approved form of diphenhydramine for dogs and cats," Price says. Though it is the same medicine and you could technically use any one, Vetadryl has some benefits like:
As a side note, because we now typically give pets vaccines less frequently than we did years ago, and through the use of titers in dogs, dogs who have vaccine reactions have more options than they once did.
It is important to remember that Benadryl is not an anti-anxiety medication. If your dog experiences anxiety related to travel, noises (fireworks and dogs, for example), or other situations, he or she may benefit more from a medication that will address the underlying anxiety rather than just causing drowsiness. Discuss your concerns with your veterinarian, and they can offer appropriate solutions for your pup.
Benadryl may be contraindicated with certain health conditions. It should be used with caution in dogs who have seizures in dogs, heart disease in dogs, or high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension in dogs). Your vet will review what other medications your dog is taking, whether Benadryl could interfere with these medications, and help you determine the proper dosing for your dog.
Finally, the good news about giving dogs Benadryl is that, when used properly, it is a safe medication. However, before administering Benadryl to your dog, I highly encourage you to check with your veterinarian.
Antihistamines. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms or counteract allergic reactions. Antihistamines are usually safe but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive. OTC antihistamine preparations may contain other ingredients such as decongestants that are not safe for dogs. Read the label carefully to ensure that the product only contains antihistamine. Check with your veterinary healthcare team to make sure that the antihistamine you have is suitable for your dog.
Antidiarrheals/Antinauseants. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is commonly kept in medicine cabinets for digestive upsets and can be administered to your dog. If your dog has never taken it before, check with your veterinary healthcare team before dosing. It can be dosed at 1 teaspoon for 5-10 pounds of body weight to treat both diarrhea and vomiting. But if your dog vomits up the Pepto-Bismol, call your veterinarian.Kaopectate is another anti-diarrheal that is typically safe and soothes upset stomachs. But at a dose of 1 ml per pound, a large dog needs a lot of Kaopectate. Your veterinarian can prescribe a medication designed for dogs.
Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine that helps relieve the symptoms of allergies in both humans and animals. It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness if a dog needs to be transported long distances. For most dogs, the appropriate dosage of Benadryl is perfectly safe. It will begin to reduce symptoms like skin rashes in about an hour.
Risks of Benadryl for dogs. While the right dose of Benadryl is safe for most dogs, occasionally a dog may be allergic to the medication itself. An allergy to diphenhydramine will have similar symptoms to other allergies, including:
Alternatives to Benadryl for dogs. If your dog reacts poorly to Benadryl but needs regular allergy treatment for a seasonal allergy, there are some alternatives you can use. Both cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are considered safe for dogs in the right dosage. However, they are also frequently combined with other ingredients like decongestants, which can hurt your dog. Always consult with a vet before giving your dog any new medication.
Antihistamines were prescribed for 178 of 271 dogs with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California, Davis from 1992 to 1998. Fifty-four percent of 166 dogs given antihistamines responded favorably to these treatments, with 27% of the responses rated as good and 27% rated as moderate. Diphenhydramine and hydroxyzine were the most commonly used antihistamines and were the most frequently effective. Chlorpheniramine and clemastine were administered less frequently and had much lower positive response rates. Responses to antihistamines as a group were significantly better in dogs having onset of clinical signs at younger ages (odds ratios for 1-year increase in age = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.57 to 0.91, P =.005).
Benadryl is an over-the-counter human medication you can use for dogs with an allergic reaction, such as from a bee sting. Benadryl, or generic diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine approved for people.
Warning: If using any human diphenhydramine or Benadryl product, check how much diphenhydramine it contains and all other ingredients. Some products contain decongestants, which are dangerous for dogs. In addition, products containing alcohol or xylitol can harm or kill your dog.
Benadryl helps manage mild symptoms of seasonal allergies. For dogs, that often means itching and/or hives. You may see the dog rubbing his face, ears, and eyes, and maybe sneezing. Benadryl helps relieve inflammation and reduce swelling.
Antihistamines can be of significant benefit in controlling skin allergies in dogs. Althoughnot as universally effective as cortisone type medications (prednisone), they have fewerside effects and significantly help up to half of dogs with skin allergies. They are wellworth trying in order to avoid or even reduce the level of prednisone needed to controlitching. In any individual patient, one antihistamine may be significantly more effectivethan another. Therefore, it is important to try several until one is found that does help,before determining that they are not effective in your dog.Please try the following antihistamines for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. If effective, continueto give them if your dog is itchy (frequently needed only certain times of year, but theycan be used year-round). If one is not effective, proceed to the next one on the list.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), you can give the antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to your dog, but you should always check with your vet first. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Benadryl for dogs, it is safe in the appropriate dose, and it is commonly used by vets to treat skin allergies that cause itching and scratching. 041b061a72