Is it safe to give my dog antihistamines for a rash or allergies?

Hello, and I'm sorry to hear about Bella's ongoing skin issues. I'm glad that you are feeding her a hypoallergenic diet. Ensure that it is a strict diet with no other treats, table scraps, or things she picks up on walks (easier said than done sometimes!), for at least 8-12 weeks. As far as the rash goes, she may need anti-inflammatory medications and/or antibiotics to help heal it. This is something your vet can prescribe. You can also bathe her a few times weekly with an antiseptic shampoo. Ensure that you leave the shampoo on for about 10 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. This will help to prevent skin infections from flaring up again. Depending on her allergy profile, she may also benefit from omega 3 fish oil supplementation in her food, which can help strengthen the skin and coat. I hope this helps, and that Bella is feeling better soon!

Those spots on Bella could be several things including allergies, skin mites, flea bites, ringworm (which humans can get) or a bacterial infection. You can try adding in an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, this can help improve the skin health. You may also try changing her diet to something like Royal Canin or Nutro as they are aimed at skin health. The best option is to have Bella examined since the rash is bothering her. This will figure out the cause the fastest and bring her relief sooner. If you cannot get to the veterinarian's office, you can wash the lesions with soap once a day and rinse well (don't wash her whole body, just those spots). Protect the areas from licking or scratching with an elizabethan collar. If they don't start looking better within about a week or if they get worse, have her examined by his veterinarian who may prescribe medications. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

The spots where the rashes are definitely fit with seasonal environmental allergies. They may not have been there before, but would not be due to the Benadryl. It's more likely that it's a progression of the allergies and a sign that the Benadryl is not working well. Dogs tend to not be helped by certain antihistamines, but may be helped better by others. Luckily there are a few alternatives that can be bought over the counter. I recommend calling you veterinarian and asking if they could suggest another antihistamine. As long as they have no other concerns with Riley, they should be happy to give you an alternative. If the second antihistamine doesn't work and you still notice the rash/itching, then he will likely need a recheck exam and stronger medication. One thing you can do for the rash and itchy skin, is give a bath with cool water using an oatmeal or aloe shampoo. You can get these shampoos at the pet store. I hope that helps and Riley gets better soon.

Yes, it looks like an allergic reaction. I suggest you get him to your vet for an exam. In the meantime you can give him some antihistamines to see if that will reduce his symptoms. I have no idea what antihistamines you have available to you in Australia so I will refer you to this link of common ones used. ( https://www.albertnorthvetclinic.ca/antihistamine-chart.pml )

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I cannot give a dose for Benadryl because I have not seen Doobie but I don't think you are giving him enough and often enough to help. If he has a rash, Benadryl may not be strong enough and he may also have a secondary infection and need antibiotics. I recommend taking him to a vet to see his skin and get antibiotics and possible steroids for the inflammation. Good luck and kisses to Doobie!

Most OTC antihistamines can be used in dogs; however you should never give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes (inhaled, food, contact). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss food elimination trials and allergy testing and if antihistamine use is indicated, he or she can give you a proper dose, The medication may provide some relief but your task is to try to determine what your dog is allergic to and decrease or eliminate it. Monitor her for side effects including lethargy and weakness, and if you see those signs, have her seen by a vet right away. Best of luck.

Dogs respond to antihistamines variably just like people. And some work better than others. Zyrtec and Claritin are 2nd generation antihistimaines and general don't have as many CNS side effects such as drowsiness or spaciness. They are safe for daily use. I would recommend giving it a try to see if it works for Bella. If it does antihistimaines have relatively few side effects in dogs so it may be a safe long term solution. If it isn't helping then consider apoquelor discussing further working up her allergies with her vet.