Itchy dog needs help!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't mean to nit pick, but- a Jack russell must weigh about what, 12 pounds?
A human weighs about ten to fifteen times that much. If you give a 1/2 tablet of Benedryl to a dog that size I'd think it would be a huge overdose. I would ask the vet first.

[Aggie_Ama]

I don't mean to nit pick, but- a Jack russell must weigh about what, 12 pounds?
A human weighs about ten to fifteen times that much. If you give a 1/2 tablet of Benedryl to a dog that size I'd think it would be a huge overdose. I would ask the vet first.

That is the recommended dose for my 7 lb Schnauzer but only once a day. The 19 lb miniature schnauzer can have one pill whole. I am not at home, maybe the box is kids benedryl but I think it is adult.

I am not a vet, I did not mean to imply she should give that dosage. I won't even listen when the groomer tells me to administer something to my dogs without checking with the vet. Heck I called the vet when my schnuazer sat in fire ants and I was worried. My vet is on speed dial in my house.

[kermit]

If you have concerns about the benedryl, next time you go to the vet ask for some prednisone, its a steroid. My K9 (police dog), occasionally gets the itches, like just red skin all over. One pill takes the itch away. I keep them on reserve.

[Tuckervill]

I used to give my Jack Russell a 25 mg tablet of Benadryl for her sinus issues. That's a regular size dose for an adult human, and the recommended dose for her by her vet. She was sleepy but not coma-like!

It didn't work for her sinuses, really. We never figured out why she had gobs of snot every day.

My dad gives his Jack Russell doggie vitamins and that helps her skin. Also, I've heard that Omega-3s are good for their skin, too.

Karen

[Andrea]

I worked at a vet's office for a while- they can safely take 1mg of diphenhydramine per pound of bodyweight (Indy gets the 12.5mg kid's dose).

I am going to try and just rinse him really well before I add more soap of any type into the equation. Poor thing is laying on his back on the floor, twisting back & fourth, and growling. I know he's uncomfortable

[sundial]

Poor thing is laying on his back on the floor, twisting back & fourth, and growling. I know he's uncomfortable

Aw, poor baby! If the rinse job doesn't work, maybe try the Aveeno oatmeal bath stuff. It's very useful for people who suffer from sunburns or poison ivy.

[Aggie_Ama]

If I have a choice I keep my dogs off predinsone as long as possible, it makes them very thirsty and therefore the have to potty often. With indoor dogs and no doggie doors it is an awful time for puppies and mommy! But that is what my vet prescribes if the allergies get too out of hand.

My vet also recommends giving the dogs the fish oil capsules from the store. It helps add oils into their skin but it does give them fishy breath.

[coyote]

I don't mean to nit pick, but- a Jack russell must weigh about what, 12 pounds?
A human weighs about ten to fifteen times that much. If you give a 1/2 tablet of Benedryl to a dog that size I'd think it would be a huge overdose. I would ask the vet first.

We have a dog with allergies. The first time the vet said that we could give him a couple of Benadryl a day I was freaked. He said that dogs metabolize it differently.

[makbike]

Andrea is correct it is 1mg/lb. If you Jack Russell weighs 12 pounds give him 1/2 a 25 mg table 2 - 3 times daily. You can also add in tagament (it will help block the histamine receptors in his stomach - sounds strange but it does work). An oatmeal bath may help too. I personally would only use steroids if it is a severe reaction and your buddy is extremely uncomfortable. If you have any concerns/questions it is best to contact your vet.

[OakLeaf]

Dogs can have chlorpheniramine maleate also. 4 mg twice a day seemed to be plenty for my 60 lb dogs, although I think a higher dose would've been safe. I don't know how the efficacy and side effects compare in dogs - but in my own body, chlorpheniramine works much better, diphenhydramine just puts me to sleep