In my last column, I talked about walking your dog on the many paths and hills in our communities. A reader reminded me that I mentioned using Benadryl for allergies, but didn’t talk about the dose. In this column, I thought I would talk about the dosages of over the counter antihistamines you can safely use on dogs, as well as the reasons you might use them.
Bees, wasps, fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks are the most common insects that may cause swelling, itching, pain, or transfer a parasite to your dog.
Dogs often try to bite at, snap at, or eat a bee or wasp. If successful, they can end up with a swollen face or lips depending where the bite or sting took place. You’ll see one side of the face or lips start to suddenly swell after a bee or wasp encounter. Antihistamines may help slow the swelling if given immediately (Caution: Use antihistamines without pseudoephedrine). Diphenhydramine also known as Benadryl may be given at 1 mg per pound orally twice daily. You can also use loratadine, also known as Claritin at half a pill for a small dog and 1 pill for a medium to large dog. Cetirizine, commonly known as Zyrtec, can be used at 5mg for a small dog and 10 mg for a medium to large dog. Antihistamines can also be used for atopy or hay fever in dogs and cats, but make sure to check with your vet for dosages and potential side effects from other current prescribed medication. Watery eyes, sneezing, itching, and paw chewing after a hike may improve after a bath, antihistamines, and some hydrocortisone cream on the itchy skin.
You all know about flea and tick prevention. Ticks and fleas are really common hitchhikers in parks and paths. Advantix (monthly) and Seresto Collars (works for 8 months) are good examples of products known to control fleas and ticks. On the natural side, apple cider can be diluted 50/50 and sprayed on a pet to repel insects. Lemon slices can be briefly boiled and the cooled mixture also used as a repellant. You can also make a natural flea collar by soaking a dogs cloth collar in 1/2 cup alcohol, 10-15 drops Terrashield, 10 drops lavender, 10 drops lemon or lemon grass, 10 drops melaleuca. Mix everything together with the oils for 30 minutes and hang dry. (Email [email protected] with questions about natural flea and tick repellants. Her website is www.mydoterra.com/tiffanymartin).
To remove a tick that is attached, pinch as close to the head of the tick, and slowly pull away. There are myths about certain death by leaving the head in. Tick bites will always look inflamed and may take a couple weeks to heal. Antibiotics may be needed if there is swelling. Make sure it is a tick before you try removing it. One client was very concerned that a large tick would not come off. They were sure the “head” was buried in the skin, and the tick was on its way to the heart. I shaved the hair around the suspicious “tick” and found it was a wart. A very inflamed, swollen wart, and not a tick at all!
If you commonly hike in higher altitudes with your pet, a mosquito bite may carry a heartworm baby worm. This worm may grow to an adult in your dog’s heart. Heartworm infections are not common in native dogs in our valley. Check with your vet for their recommendations on heartworm control.
Of course, you should always be sure the problem isn’t serious before using any drug on your pet. If your pet is extremely swollen, sick, bleeding quite a bit, or painful, consider a trip to the veterinary emergency clinic. The information below is for dogs only. Cats can be very sensitive to over the counter medicine, dog flea and tick medicine, and some natural flea sprays.
Greg Martinez, DVM, has worked at Gilroy Veterinary Hospital with Dennis Harrigan, DVM, for more than 30 years. Over the last 10 years, he has become very interested in the natural role of nutrition in treating chronic medical problems and to prevent future ones.
