It may be cute to see your chihuahua sneeze uncontrollably or curl its body due to some itching. Then, you reach for your medicine cabinet and get some medications. You got Benadryl in your hands, but you don’t have an idea how to administer it. So, what should you do??
This special article will discuss the safe administration of this featured drug and how much you must give your chihuahua to relieve its symptoms. But before that, don’t forget to invite your friends to read this article and share your stories in the comment section.
BENADRYL INDICATIONS FOR CHIHUAHUAS
Benadryl is a common non-prescripted medication that you can use to treat your chihuahua’s allergies, swelling, and itching. It’s also effective in treating colds and flu symptoms such as headaches and body aches. Chihuahuas can use Benadryl, but you need to be careful when dosing them with it because they are small dogs with very fragile bodies.
🟪 Relieve the symptoms of allergies
Benadryl, an antihistamine, is also used to relieve the symptoms of allergies and itching in chihuahuas. You can also utilize it to treat your chihuahua’s hay fever and insect bites.
Benadryl contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride. It works by blocking histamines that are released in response to an allergen or irritant that contacts your chihuahua’s skin or mucous membranes, such as when it’s bitten by an insect.
When giving Benadryl to your chihuahua for allergies, it’s important to note that there are many different types of allergy symptoms. So you may test two or three different medications before finding one that works best for your chihuahua’s specific symptoms!
🟪 Aid in sleeping
Benadryl can be used to help your chihuahua sleep. As mentioned, the drug is a common antihistamine that’s also used to treat allergies and other conditions.
Benadryl is formulated in many different types, including an oral suspension and chewable tablets. If you choose to give your chihuahua Benadryl as a sleep medication, follow the directions on the label carefully and consult with a veterinarian before administering this medication.
🟪 Reduce motion sickness
If your chihuahua is prone to motion sickness and vertigo, Benadryl can help. And if your pup is already experiencing symptoms, you give 1 mg per pound of weight every four to six hours as needed. The typical dose for a 20-pound chihuahua would be 0.25 mg per pound every four hours, with no more than 6 mg in 24 hours.
It’s best to administer the meds orally and not as an injection or suppository because you can’t be sure that they’ll get into the bloodstream with those methods. And if they don’t, there’s nothing else you can do except try again later with a different method!
🟪 Treat colds and flu symptoms
Benadryl is a familiar over-the-counter medication that can also be used to treat colds, flu symptoms, and allergic reactions. Benadryl is NOT A CURE for the common cold or flu, but it can help your chihuahua feel better by reducing the symptoms. The recommended dose varies depending on your chihuahua’s age and weight. If you are unsure how much to take, always talk with your vet first before giving your pup any medication.
BENADRYL FOR CHIHUAHUAS (Dosing)
If your chihuahua is experiencing allergies, then he might need a dose of Benadryl. The dose of Benadryl will vary depending upon the type of Benadryl product being used and the weight of your chihuahua.
🟪 Severity of symptoms
Benadryl is a medicine that is administered to treat allergic reactions. It comes in tablet form, liquid form, and as an ointment. In chihuahuas, it is most commonly used to treat skin allergies and flea bites.
Benadryl is available over the counter at many drug stores or through your veterinarian’s office. If your chihuahua has mild symptoms from an allergic reaction, then you should give 1 mg of Benadryl per pound that the chihuahua weighs every 12 hours until symptoms subside. If your chihuahua has moderate symptoms, you should provide 2 mg of Benadryl per pound that the chihuahua weighs every 8 hours until symptoms subside. Lastly, if your chihuahua has severe symptoms, then you should give 4 mg of Benadryl per pound that the chihuahua weighs every 6 hours until the symptoms have gone.
🟪 Type of formulation
The dose of Benadryl will vary depending upon the type of Benadryl product being used and the weight of your chihuahua. Vets advise 1 mg per pound of chihuahua’s body weight, two to four times a day for regular Benadryl and 5 mg per pound every eight hours for Benadryl D.
If your chihuahua has an allergic reaction that is not life-threatening but causes discomfort, such as hives or itching, then Benadryl can help. This can be provided orally or by injection, depending on what his symptoms are. Still, most vets recommend giving it orally if possible. This is because it means he won’t have to be sedated in order for the medicine to take effect quickly enough.
🟪 Tolerance
If your chihuahua cannot tolerate Benadryl, there are other ways to treat skin and stomach allergies. Some vets recommend starting treatment with steroids or allergy shots, but these are not long-term solutions. They are best used in attacks and emergencies only with your vet’s advice.
You can use salmon oil! This type of oil is higher in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation. And this can be added to your chihuahua’s food or given as a treat. It’s essential to be careful when feeding this to chihuahuas, though. This is because it can cause diarrhea if too much is provided at once or if it’s mixed with other things that upset the stomach quickly, such as onions or garlic.
SIDE EFFECTS OF BENADRYL
Benadryl is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications in the United States. It’s a popular choice for treating allergies, colds, and other minor ailments because it’s safe for chihuahuas. But does Benadryl have any side effects? And if so, how serious are they? In this section, we’ll answer those questions and more.
🟪 Sleepiness
If your chihuahua is sleepy, it’s important to know how long this side effect will last and whether he or she can still be awake enough to eat. Benadryl can cause sleepiness in chihuahuas for up to 12 hours after taking the drug. Your veterinarian may suggest that you keep your chihuahuas inside your house during the day so they don’t hurt themselves while sleeping.
The amount of sleepiness that is normal can vary from dog to dog, depending on their size, age, and metabolism. It’s also possible for a person or animal who has never taken Benadryl before to be more sensitive than usual if they take too much at once (overdose). Suppose your chihuahua seems unusually tired after taking Benadryl. In that case, you should reach your veterinarian as soon as possible so they can evaluate them further, even if it’s been just a few minutes since their last dose!
🟪 Loss of appetite
It’s important to know that Benadryl is an antihistamine, which means it can make your chihuahua feel sleepy and drowsy. When taken in large doses, Benadryl can cause loss of appetite. This side effect doesn’t apply to all dogs who take Benadryl. Some dog owners report no change in their pups’ appetite. While other dog owners say that their dogs feel like eating less than usual after taking the medication.
🟪 Vomiting
You’ll want to watch your chihuahua carefully after giving him Benadryl. If he vomits, take him to the vet right away! Vomiting is a common side effect of Benadryl in chihuahuas and can happen shortly after taking the medication. For some chihuahuas, vomiting happens as soon as 30 minutes later. Other chihuahuas may even vomit within an hour or so of taking Benadryl.
Suppose your chihuahua vomits once after taking this medicine (and isn’t showing other signs of distress). In that case, a possible reason is that his stomach is upset from something else and had nothing to do with the drug itself. But if your pup keeps throwing up consistently for hours or days at a time, or if his throwing up turns into diarrhea, it’s time for another trip to see the vet!
🟪 Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Benadryl. However, you should contact your vet immediately if your chihuahua experience diarrhea with other symptoms such as sore throat, fever, or vomiting. Diarrhea may be an indication of an infection that needs treatment with antibiotics.
If your chihuahua’s diarrhea doesn’t go away after taking over-the-counter medications for several days, talk to your vet about how to treat it.
🟪 Increased thirst or urination
Increased urination and thirst are common side effects in chihuahuas after taking Benadryl. Your chihuahua may have a reaction to the drug and need emergency medical care for this sign. This is not usually serious unless your chihuahua has some underlying health issue that makes it more serious for him or her to go into kidney failure, such as diabetes mellitus or having too much calcium in the body.
BENADRYL OVERDOSE MANAGEMENT
The first thing to remember when dealing with a Benadryl overdose is that it’s not an emergency situation. The most noteworthy thing you can do for your chihuahua is to remain calm and contact your veterinarian for treatment recommendations.
🟪 How it happens
A Benadryl overdose typically occurs when your chi took too much of the medication at once. Benadryl is a common medication that you can use to treat allergies in both humans and pets. It’s an antihistamine that blocks the body’s natural reaction to allergens, including pollen, dust, and pet dander.
This drug should only be taken as directed by your vet, who will work with you to determine what amount is most suitable for you based on your chihuahua’s medical history and current condition. Giving your pup more than the recommended dosage can lead to unintended side effects like:
- Sleepiness or dizziness
- Trouble breathing
🟪 Management
If your chihuahua has overdosed on any medication or substance, contact your veterinarian as soon as it’s discovered. And if you think your chihuahua has accidentally ingested a toxic substance, call your local emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Please furnish as much information as possible about what occurred to the chihuahua and where it was when it ate or drank the substance.
🟪 Prevention
The best way to prevent a Benadryl overdose is only to give the amount of medication that your veterinarian recommends. Do not give additional doses or extra doses to make up for a missed dose.
Another tip to prevent accidental overdose, be sure to use only one type of Benadryl (either tablets or liquid) at a time. So you don’t miscount doses or confuse the two medications.
Benadryl is available in many different forms: tablets and capsules for dogs; liquid for cats; chewable tablets for children. Consult your veterinarian before giving any form of Benadryl to dogs, cats, or rabbits because certain formulations can be toxic to these species.
🟪 What to expect
While it may appear like a formidable task to manage your chihuahua’s toxic exposure, it is important to know what to do in the event of accidental ingestion. Since chihuahuas are unable to communicate their symptoms, it’s up to you and your veterinarian to determine if they’ve overdosed and how best to treat them.
It is critical that you contact your vet immediately after recognizing signs of overdosing on your chihuahua. They will evaluate your chihuahua in person or over the phone and assess its condition based on clinical history, physical examination findings, lab results, and radiographic studies (if applicable). Your vet will also let you know if additional treatment beyond supportive care is needed.
If possible, bring any remaining contaminated food or water with you when bringing your chihuahua into the emergency clinic so that they can test this substance for the presence of a drug as well. This will help them decide whether your chihuahua needs further testing before starting treatment options such as IV fluids or emergency surgery.
BOTTOM LINE
Sometimes, the most uncomplicated way to solve a problem is simply to make it go away. And in this scenario, Benadryl is the key to relieving the hardship of your chihuahua. Though Benadryl seems harmless, you still need to be aware of the possible effects. And you need to obey the instructions from your vet exactly. But if you don’t have any other options to treat your chihuahua, it’s still better not to self-medicate your pup. Always reach your vet before giving your chihuahua anything, especially when it comes to medicines.
If you’re looking for reasons why your chihuahua whines for no reason, click here.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
