My dog took Claritin. Can I give Benadryl for itching & bleeding paws?

Hello, benadryl will definitely treat an allergic reaction, however, if your dog is also bruising and bleeding then that is not a characteristic of an allergic reaction that could be treated with just benadryl. I would recommend having him evaluated for this bruising and bleeding as benadryl will likely note treat this on its own. Hope this helps and best of luck!!!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could certainly be allergies. In reality, Benadryl probably would not help much in this case. Medications to decrease the itch that could help him include prednisone or a medication called Apoquel. The possible secondary infection would have to be treated as well. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Poor Maxx. Allergies are no fun, you can try a few at home remedies, but if he doesn't get relief he honestly may need a veterinary visit. Antihistamines can be hit or miss in dogs but you can certainly try Benadryl twice daily if it gives him some relief. You can also soak his feet in lukewarm Epsom salt solution once or twice daily. Malaseb shampoo may help if there is any yeast or bacterial infection component to his itching. When using the medicated shampoos I typically recommend lathering them up, especially affected areas and allowed to soak for up to 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing. If you have a crate or someplace Maxx can hang out while sudsy that helps. And for dogs that will not leave their feet alone I strongly recommend getting an E collar. Sometimes you have to break the cycle of the scratching and licking before seeing any improvement. If there are open sores or very raw areas I would recommend trying to do a veterinary visit as that indicates secondary infection and will likely need systemic treatment as well. I hope Max gets some relief soon thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

While Benadryl can be given to dogs in specific circumstances, by law it is illegal for the experts at PetCoach to recommend using any drug, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. I would give your vet a call to see if it's safe to give Dustin Benadryl, and the vet can give you the correct dose for it. I would also wash him in warm water and Dawn dish soap to get rid of the ants, and you can make a home soothing salve to help with the bites from the ants if he has them using baking soda and water. To make this salve, mix one tablespoon of baking soda and add enough water to form a spreadable paste. You will have to keep him from licking it off, so put an Ecollar on him, which you can make at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

It is a little unusual to see gum bleeding secondary to allergies in a dog. Gingivitis most often occurs from infection beneath the gumline and a dental cleaning is probably needed, although bleeding gums can occasionally also be a sign of a clotting disorder. The red, inflamed paws sounds more like a seasonal allergy to me, and there is thought that dogs may absorb allergens through their paws when they're outside. If the steroids are finished, you may need to recheck with your vet to discuss a more long term plan for the allergy. Sometimes there is a secondary infection present that needs to be treated, and sometimes a long term allergy medication like Apoquel or Cytopoint or even allergy testing is recommended.

Benadryl doesn’t usually make dogs very sleepy, but you could try it. I would do your best to keep the paw covered or have her wear the cone while you give her lots of reassurance. It can take a few days for them to adapt to the change in sight and hearing while wearing the cone, but after that they should go on like normal. I would also talk to your vet about other sedative options to be used as needed.

Benadryl is not going to work until you get the infection under control. I recommend bringing Buddy to a veterinarian to have them check his ears and skin. They can treat with antibiotics and topical medication for his ears. Then your veterinarian can discuss reasons for the infection to have started. It can be allergies or even water getting inside of his ears. If Buddy has a history of itching and allergies is a concern there are great new options to help Buddy. You can discuss this with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.