Diphenhydramine for Dogs
Diphenhydamine for dogs is used principally to treat allergies and atopy. Diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine inhibits histamine binding at the H1 receptors. Although categorized as antihistamine, diphenhydramine does not block the release of histamine but rather compete for the uptake of it at the receptors on the sensitive cells in the dogs respiratory tract, intestines, blood vessels and skin.
For a dog with atopy, diphenhydramine for dogs can control pruritis and agitation associated with allergic symptoms with the drugs sedative effects.
Being categorized as antihistamine, diphenhydamine for dogs has several uses aside from treating allergies and atopy. The product can likewise be recommended as an antiemetic and for the prevention of motion sickness in dogs. Since there are sedative effects established in the intake of the product, diphenhydramine for dogs can cause some depression in the central nervous system and sedation, which helps as an oral treatment for motion sickness in dogs. If you are giving diphenhydramine for dogs for motion sickness, be sure to give the product 30 to 60 minutes before traveling.
Precautions and Side Effects of Diphenhydramine for Dogs
The use of diphenhydramine for dogs should be well consulted with the veterinarian as this may cause several health problems if given to dogs with bladder-neck obstructions, prostatic hypertrophy, severe heart failure, angle-closure glaucoma and pyelo-duodenal obstruction. In addition to these precautions, proper use of diphenhydramine for dogs should likewise be carefully planned especially for working dogs since the product has known sedative effects and can affect the dogs performance.
Based on clinical studies, the common side effects of diphenhydramine for dogs are sedation, dry mouth and urinary retention. Other rare side effects may include diarrhea, vomiting and decreased appetite. It is important that before you administer the product to the dog, you have already learned the established side effects of the product. The knowledge of which will be helpful in knowing the right time of when to seek medical care if your dog has been manifesting suspicious behavior. If you have observed that the dog has been exhibiting the rare side effects of diphenhydramine for dogs, the recommendation would be for you to consult your veterinarian to see if the product has caused something wrong.
Overdose of Diphenhydramine for Dogs
As stated earlier, using diphenhydramine for dogs should be first consulted with the veterinarian as a wrong dosage can cause mild to severe health problems. Moreover, in case of a mild overdose, the dog can manifest signs of sedation and clumsiness; the drug can cause signs from stimulation to depression of the central nervous system; and more specifically, severe overdose can cause more serious health conditions such as seizures, respiratory depression, coma and worst – death. That is why it is really important to pay attention on what medications you give to your sick pet dog as special kinds of products also need special attention for them to work positively and give you benefits rather than risks on the lives of your dogs.
To learn more about diphenhydramine for dogs, continue reading this website!
Related posts: