Benadryl is a medicine that contains antihistamine called dyphenhydramine. Antihistamine in Benadryl blocks histamine and allergens to stop allergic cough, runny nose, sneezing, hives, hay fever, itching, watery eyes, rashes, asthma and other symptoms of allergies in human. Don’t you know that it does the same thing with your dog best friend? Veterinarians approved the use of Benadryl for dogs for the treatment of insect bites, skin irritation, hay fever, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, eye and ear infection, tail irritation and even bites from some snakes.
Benadryl for dogs treats insect bites and rashes.
During an insect bite, insect releases a chemical that irritates the skin. The body secretes an antibody called histamine. The histamine reacts to the infected area by dilating the blood vessels and allowing the release of protein in the muscle and skin cells. This prevents the chemical released by the insect to get into the blood stream. The release of protein causes itchiness and inflammation. Benadryl for dogs blocks the histamine that causes itchiness and inflammation of the skin.
Benadryl for dogs relieves allergic cough, sneezing, hay fever and runny nose.
Dust, pollen, weather change and smoke are the most common allergens. When dogs are exposed to allergens, the antibodies capture the allergen through the release of histamine in the lungs, throat and nasal passages. When the allergen reaches the lungs, histamine causes mucus production that leads to cough. Coughing and sneezing is the body’s way to excrete allergens out from the lungs. Benadryl traps the allergens before it reaches the lungs to prevent allergic cough, sneezing and other allergic symptoms. Severe histamine secretion can contract smooth muscle that leads to inflammation of air passage that causes asthma and difficulty in breathing. Benadryl for dogs soothes asthma and swollen muscle of the air passage thus, promotes better breathing.
Histamine plays an important role in keeping the mind alert and active. Benadryl for dogs can ease anxiety and stress by controlling the release of histamine. It can cause drowsiness, sleepiness and can help your dog to get a better sleep during insomnia attack. Benadryl for dogs can also be used to prevent motion sickness, reaction to vaccination, car sickness and vomiting.
Benadryl for dogs is safe to use as long as proper dosage and administration are followed.
Veterinarians prescribed one milligram per pound of the dog’s weight divided into three equal dosages per day. Example a 30 pound dog requires 30 milligrams of Benadryl a day. However, it shouldn’t be administered one time big time. It has to be divided into three administration a day like 10 milligrams in every 8 eight hours. Benadryl for dogs can worsen dog’s condition with cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism and prostate problem. Benadryl for dogs is better in capsule or tablet form than in liquid which contains alcohol that can harm not just dogs but most animals. Capsule or tablet can be mixed in food or drinks. Benadryl for dogs should not be taken with other decongestant, pain reliever and other medicine that can cause drowsiness. It is always best to consult a veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog for proper dosage, administration and caution.
