Dosages Of Benadryl For My Jack Russell

[Oiverbotel]

My four-legged pot roast has recently developed some sort of allergy. Since birth he has had the same cereal and wet food - all chicken based. However, I'm suspecting he may have developed an allergy to chicken. He's now 11, but in rather good health.

Recently the vet prescribed Apoquel. However, setting the outrageous cost aside (£45 per prescription), I've read some rather distressing things from people who have used this on their dogs.

After a month, I've decided I might try using Benadryl as an alternative. The Pot Roast weighs 10Kg and the recommended dose is 1mg per pound.

However, I'm not certain whether 8mg is a total daily dose or a dosage which I'm supposed to administer either twice or three times daily.

I'd be very grateful for any advice. This evening was the first time I've given him the Benadryl and he has tolerated it rather well. I know Benadryl is a long-standing reliable antihistamine. But what matters most is ensuring that he's receiving the best of care.

I'm sad to say that my confidence in our vet has plummeted recently. They charge £15 for a prescription and have recently been bought out by some national group who've purchased virtually all of the vets in the area. Consequently, they're controlling the prices. The polite, but sometimes challenging to understand vets from Romania, Slovakia, or Albania seem almost too quick in deciding that it's essential for me to buy food products from the vet, use the most expensive antibiotics, and subscribe to regimens that ensure I'm having to bring my dog back to their office every eight weeks. I'm not alone in voicing this concern.

I'd be most grateful for any advice. I hate that my wee friend is uncomfortable and I'm as distressed as he is when the itch attacks overwhelm him suddenly to the point he's whimpering.

Many thanks!

Ollie+

[seekeerz]

Hi Ollie and PR ....good to hear he's doing a bit better...do keep us posted, oh and good luck keeping your wallet from self-emptying at the vet :))

[EDDIE51]

My dog ,Labrador, got a bad case of hay fever a few weeks back. A single piriton tablet in a bit of meat stopped the sneezing very quickly and did not make him drowsy.

[DTCwordfan]

why would you want to tip into your animal a medication for humans - for all you know, it could be like tipping chocolate into him.......I am left gobsmacked as dogs do not have the same physiology as us. Let's hear from a vet and have some common sense here.

[EDDIE51]

I looked up 'Dogs Hay Fever' on the net and it recommended antihistamine and mentioned 'Pirton' by name as being suitable. I always have Piriton in the house in case I get hay fever. Just used 1 tablet for the dog and it worked very well.

[EDDIE51]

I was sure my dog had hay fever and it looks like I was right. But your 'pot roast's' problem sounds much more like dermatitis to me. Not sure antihistamine is the correct medication.

[Oiverbotel]

DTCwordfan - Thanks friend for your thoughts. I assure you, with every fibre of my being, I would not under any circumstance simply choose to pop any sort of medicinal detritus into a cherished and beloved pet without first having made exhausted enquiries, and seeking consultation.

I know some people aren't aware that a large number of prescription and non-prescription medications that we, among the human variety, consume are prescribed (in appropriate dosage levels) for our pets.

This is the case in virtually all of the antihistamines discussed among contributors in this this thread. Medications such as Piriton, Cetrizine, Benadryl, AKA diphenhydramine are virtually all acceptable for canine usage - with the important proviso that the dosages are accurately adjusted to the animals weight and that all cautions are taken should there be any particular contraindications, such as heretofore known allergies, or biological challenges, such as Renal or Liver challenges.

Only one antihistamine discussed herein - Apoquel, is contraindicated for human consumption. In fact, there are some rather strong, if not ominous caveats about this rather innocuous looking tablet (frighteningly, the tablet looks far too similar to Cetrizine and therefore demands close attention and caution when placing these medications nearby!). Furthermore, anyone who administers Apoquel to their pet is admonished to immediately wash their hands after touching. Just that warning alone prompted my initial rise in concern about administering it to my beloved Four-Legged Pot Roast.

On the counter-balance there are some medications on the WHO list of essential medications which are unavailable in parts of the world. I can't tell you how many packets of Tetracycline I bought in Aquarium shops during the eighties to take to Africa for children suffering from a range of broad-spectrum bacterial infections. Sadly, Tetracycline is no longer the most viable medicine available. However, when nothing is available you do what you must when it comes to saving a child's life.

DTC, I'm quite glad you made this point as it's an extremely valid one. No one should EVER simply administer a medication for human consumption to a pet without having an informed understanding of that medication and how it interacts with your pet, as well as ensuring you've administering and appropriate dosage.

Thank you for asking this. I was pleased to be able to respond to it.

Ollie+

[Oiverbotel]

Eddie51 - Thank you! Indeed, the vet this afternoon did a comprehensive extraction of my wallet. In exchange I now have another's month's supply of this insipid drug.

However, as I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping that the worst has now passed and I'll be able to slowly reduce the administration until the Pot Roast no longer needs any. I still can't get over how much my cupboard looks like a wholesale distribution centre for Pets at Home now. I have a vast collection of various foods and meds. The Pot Roast and I have planned a visit to the Battersea Dog and Cats Home this Saturday.

For those who are not aware, Battersea are always in need of donations: not just monetary, but food items, and clean, unused, pet supplies are always warmly received.

It's difficult to understand how people don't realize that pets are a gift to mankind!

Thanks again!

Ollie+