The Difference a Day Makes

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

18 Mar 2009 12:32 PM

Spring is... well... springing, and that usually means allergy trouble for my dogs Moose and Lally. Lally is more sensitive than Moose is -- especially as she ages.

A few years ago, the vet suggested giving the dogs Benadryl when they need it for allergy problems. I've almost always got a bottle on hand and can dole out doses with dinner as needed. It's worked really well for my furry pals.

Lally's been itching like crazy for the last week or so -- especially on her face. She's been rubbing her head and muzzle against everything for relief: the couch, the bed, me. She's scratching like crazy, leaving little scabs along her mouth. The area around her eyes is raw and irritated. (And I have medication for treating hot spots, but I don't want to use it so close to her eyes!)

Dispite all the itching, she's been her normal, funny self. We play ball. She boxes my roommate. She gives Moose a hard time about getting into bed.

Until today. Today there's a marked change in her behavior. While I was at work at the cats-only boarding facility, she threw up all over the living room and my bedroom. She also scratched an area underneath her left eye open -- she was bleeding when I walked in the door. When I got home, she didn't greet me with her regular enthusiasm (and squeaky ball). While we were out walking, she threw up again. She walked very slowly with her head down, staying close to my side.

It's pretty obvious that she's really not herself. So I've called the vet and we've got an appointment this afternoon. In the meantime, I've offered her a few kibbles soaked in broth (she declined) and made sure there was plenty of fresh, clean water around the house. Hopefully, some medicine can take care of the barfing and the itching, and I'll have my regular Lally Bee back soon!

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Dale Harcombe (10142) 19 Mar 2009 02:55 PM

Why Benadryl? I thought that was only a cough and cold suppresant.

Aimee Amodio (11972) 19 Mar 2009 07:52 PM

Benadryl is an antihistamine -- which means it works against the things that cause allergy reactions in the body. It's generally safe for dogs and cats (and people!) who are having allergy problems.

Dale Harcombe (10142) 20 Mar 2009 11:42 AM

thanks Aimee for answering that. So how much would you give a small dog - Maltese terrier size? Our dog has an allergy and the vet has given tablets but they don't seem to be doing a lot of good and they're not cheap.

Aimee Amodio (11972) 20 Mar 2009 11:54 AM

Generally, you can give 1 mg of Benadryl per 1lb of weight. Most of the Benadryl I've seen at the store is 25mg, so you may need a pill cutter to get an appropriate amount for your dog. The liquid version might be easier to work with, but it's also flavored (bubble gum, grape, cherry) and I don't know how much your dog would like it. My Lally is fussy enough as it is, so I've been stuffing the pills into bits of meatballs and she gobbles them that way! :)

Dale Harcombe (10142) 20 Mar 2009 08:14 PM

Thanks Aimee. I didn't know it even came in pill form. Maybe it doesn't in Australia. Our doggy isnlt fussy at all., If she saw me take it, she'd want some. She thinks she's a human in fur.