Meds for STORMY: QUEEN of ALL THAT IS DOG.

for STORMY 

QUEEN of ALL THAT IS DOG.

COMFORTIS (Spinosad) 1620.0 mg

·                1x/month

·                 starts to work in 30 minutes 

·                 Kills adult fleas in 4 hours. 

·                 Kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs.

·                 Interrupts the flea’s life cycle if given monthly

CAPSTAR (Nitenpyram) 57.0 mg

·                 1x/day or as needed.

·                 Starts to work in 30 minutes

·                 Kills adult fleas that cause allergy dermatitis in 4 hours.

·                 Over-the-counter

·                leaves your dog’s system after 48 hours

·                 effective for immediate relief, but not as a long-term treatment option,

·                 you can safely give another dose as often as once per day

BENEDRYL (diphenhydramine) 

Most people using the oral (liquid) form of diphenhydramine are giving their dog WAY TOO MUCH!

Why?

Because a search gives this simple dosage calculation of diphenhydramine for your dog:

        1 mg/lb every 8 to 12 hours (two to three times daily). 

This is all well and good if you are using pills, which have the mg's prominently displayed.

But some folks are using the oral (liquid) form of diphenhydramine,
and  giving their dog 1 mL/lb every 8 to 12 hours (two to three times daily)! 

IMPORTANT! 1-mg does NOT equal 1-mL!

The label on my bottle states:
5ml liquid contains 12.5mg of diphenhydramine 
(Check the label on your bottle. It may be different. )

So here's a
BETTER DOSAGE STATEMENT FOR DOGS: 
       The dosage for liquid diphenhydramine for dogs is 
     2ml for every 5 pounds of body weight, or 
     4ml for every 10 pounds.

       Or you can do this simple calculation 
       on your phone's calculator:
              Weight of Dog * 0.4 = dosage in mL's.

StormyQUEEN of ALL THAT IS DOG

Stormy weighs exactly 90lbs.
So her dosage is 36ml.

Dosage   Dog Weight
   1ml,  3 lbs or less
   2ml,  4-6 lbs      
   3ml   7-8 lbs
   4ml, 10 lbs
   6ml, 15 lbs
   8ml, 20 lbs
  10ml, 25 lbs
  12ml, 30 lbs
  14ml, 35 lbs
  16ml, 40 lbs
  18ml, 45 lbs
  20ml, 50 lbs
  24ml, 60 lbs
  28ml, 70 lbs
  32ml, 80 lbs
  36ml, 90 lbs
  40ml, 100 lbs
Add 4ml for each additional 10 lbs.

2ml for each additional 5 lbs.

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:

• Itching
• Hives
• Swelling and inflammation
• Redness
• Runny nose and eyes
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Anaphylactic reaction

The Merck Veterinary Manual states that diphenhydramine may relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety in pets associated with travel. It also may help relieve motion sickness during car rides and plane rides.

It also helps prevent allergic reactions associated with heartworm treatment therapy.

Before you reach for the Benadryl, consult your veterinarian about your dog’s symptoms. Allergy symptoms like itching and red eyes are also signs of more serious conditions. In some cases, like glaucoma, giving your dog Benadryl can actually worsen your dog’s condition.

When Benadryl is used on a long-term basis, its effectiveness can diminish, so it’s best to rotate through different antihistamines in this case. Cetirizine, loratadine and chlorpheniramine.

other options used for treating allergies: Claritin and chlorpheniramine. 


avoid using liquid mixtures that contain  xylitol - can become toxic to dogs in large 
amounts, avoid formulations with a high alcohol content. The children’s Benadryl liquid mixture is free from both alcohol and xylitol.

• Do not use formulations which combine diphenhydramine with ingredients unsafe for dogs (such as Tylenol)

 dog-safe ingredient: Cetirizine - generally fewer side effects (including less chance of drowsiness)

Natural Remedies:

Anxietrex – A completely safe remedy for anxiety in dogs. Free from side effects and suitable for dogs of all ages.
Derma-Ionx – With zero side effects, Derma-Ionx treats skin irritation (including allergic conditions) and itching in dogs of any age.

You MUST consult your veterinarian BEFORE using benadryl, If your dog has any of the following conditions

• Angle closure glaucoma
• Severe heart failure
• Prostatic hypertrophy
• Bladder neck obstruction
• Seizure disorders
• Hypertension
• Allergic lung disease
• Pregnancy

Topical:

Benadryl cream, gel, stick, or spray, usually containing 1% diphenhydramine (or 2% in the extra strength formula), which can be applied topically 2 – 3 times daily. 

diphenhydramine products made specifically for animals including Atopicream and Benasoothe.

Warning: Avoid the Benadryl “Itch Cooling Gel” which contains camphor, as this substance is poisonous to dogs.

Diphenhydramine (in-depth) 

• Allergies and reactions to vaccines 
Histamine is a type of substance that plays a role in allergic reactions. When the body detects an allergen, it releases histamine which is then picked up by receptors in the body, causing many dreaded allergy symptoms. By helping to prevent the receptors from picking up histamine, the symptoms of allergies can be avoided. 
• Insomnia 
Diphenhydramine doesn’t only block the uptake of histamine, it also helps to block another chemical known as acetylcholine. This is what causes the sleepiness. If the medicine is used very frequently, its effectiveness at promoting sleep can become reduced. Melatonin is more commonly used for this purpose. 
• Vomiting and motion sickness 
Diphenhydramine is very similar to dimenhydrinate, the active ingredient of Dramamine. It can help to prevent feelings of nausea and travel sickness. 
• Stings and bites 
Bites or stings from certain creatures such as bees can also release histamine. Using an antihistamine like diphenhydramine can help to reduce discomfort and swelling. Be careful, though, if a dog is very sensitive to the venom the airway may become constricted. Trying to give him medicines by mouth at this point can be dangerous.

This post by Dr. Jason Nicholas contains more information about treating stings with Benadryl, as well as a few home remedies you can try. 
• Anxiety 
bath time & visits to the vet. 
• Itching (particularly with topicals) 
Diphenhydramine can be used to treat itching related to dermatitis, but cetirizine and glucocorticoids such as cortisone tend to be more effective. Topically, however, the drug has slight anesthetic properties which can help to reduce itching. 

For motion sickness you could also try Dramamine with dimenhydrinate. Dimenhydrinate is almost the same exact substance as diphenhydramine, except it is bound to a mild stimulant to prevent drowsiness while still providing effective relief from nausea.

Cetirizine: 

• Allergic dermatitis
• Atopic dermatitis 

The drowsiness associated with diphenhydramine may reduce over time with continued use. However, the sedative properties may affect the performance of working dogs, making it an unsuitable choice. In rare cases, it could cause paradoxical excitement.

Dogs who receive cetirizine may vomit or salivate excessively, but because it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier as readily, unwanted effects such as drowsiness should not occur.

Overdose:

dogs have survived (with hospitalization) up to 16 times greater than the recommended dose, so if you act fast, recovery is likely. Overdose symptoms may include muscle tremors, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties, extreme fatigue, confusion, and a high temperature. High blood pressure is also possible following an overdose, which could lead to circling, seizures, and disorientation among other signs.

If you suspect an overdose. seek immediate veterinary care or call the ASPCA poison control hotline on (888) 426-4435. Do not attempt to make your dog vomit unless you have been instructed to do so by a professional.

Instead of using diazepam and barbiturates for treating seizures caused by overdose, an IV injection of phenytoin is often recommended. Other treatments for overdose includes inducing vomiting (if the dog is stable), the use of activated charcoal, physostigmine (a drug commonly used to treat anticholinergic poisoning), and intravenous lipids.

As a statistic, out of 621 dogs reported to have been suffering an overdose of diphenhydramine between 2008 and 2013, only 3 cases were fatal.

video by Dr. Greg Martinez: Giving Benadryl to dogs and how it can be used to treat allergies: 

Stormy in the Mississippi River

New Orleans, LA

April, 2019