Dogs have been known to suffer fron different allergies and conditions and like human beings they require treatment through the use of the right kind of medication depending on what they are suffering from. When it comes to allergies, the most commonly used and most effective medication is Benadryl and it is used for both humans and dogs. For this reason, the answer to the most commonly asked question which is, can i give my dog Benadryl is a strong “yes”.
Benadryl which is a drug approved by the FDA, is highly accepted by dogs and is readily available all across the country from the major to the local pharmacies. It is also not necessary for you to have a prescription in order to purchase it from the pharmacy thereby making it an over-the-counter medication. It is categoried as an anti-histamine meaning it neutralizes the effects of histamine which cause various symptoms such as itching.
It is common to find that a large number of drugs sold over the counter are mainly produced to be used by humans. This is the same for Benadryl whose dosage is mainly dependent on the weight. For this reason, when being prescibed to a dog a few changes have to be made when it comes to the dosage due to the difference in the weight between human and dogs. This is highly so when dealing with puppies and mature dogs with a relatively small size.
Benadryl is usually administered to dogs for the treatment of several conditions. The most common out of all these conditions include allergic symptoms such as:
- Skin irritation
- Ear infections
- Running nose
- Coughing and sneezing
Non-allergenic ailments:
- Vomiting
- Insect bites
- Bee stings
It also works are a sedative is therefore also used when a dog suffers from insomnia, calm tension as well as anxiety resulting from travelling. It should also be noted that Benadryl has sometimes been used to treat snake bites. However, this should be highly avoided since it is not proven. You can always expect fast results from this drug since it has been known to work only 30 minutes after it is administered. However, this may differ from one dog to the next since in some cases although quite rarely it has been to take effect after about a week or so.
Can I give Benadryl to my dog and how safe is it?
Benadryl is quite safe for healthy dogs and has been proven to be so from its track record. A lot of research has also been carried out on this drug with clear results showing only minimal to no side effects when used. Recently there has been an increase in the variation of Benadryl which have different ingredients such as painkillers and alcohol to mention just but a few. When it comes to dogs, it is important to only use Benadryl which has diphenhydramine as its active ingredient.
If your dog is suffering from a pre-existing condition such as high blood pressure, cardio vascular disease, or when nursing it is highly advisable for you to consult with a veterinary before using Benadryl.
