Can I give my dog Diphenhist for an itchy, swollen paw? Is it safe?

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

Benadryl can be given to dogs to treat allergies but it is always best to check with your vet before giving medications. Since your vet knows your dogs complete medical history, he/she would know if there is a contraindication to giving any medications. Dogs with allergies can also develop secondary bacterial infection that may require an antibiotic, corticosteroid, and/or an anti-histamine to treat. If her signs persist or worsen then she should be seen by a vet to determine the best way to treat. There is also an allergy medication called Apoquel that works very well in controlling allergies in dogs. You could also switch to a completely hypoallergenic diet, like z/d, and see if that helps, too. Bathing her with a medicated dog shampoo, like Epi-Soothe, may also help.

Yes, there is an OTC in the form of antihistamines, but legally I cannot recommend it for you to use on her, nor can I give you the dose. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, I cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. I would give your vet a call to get the name of the OTC option as well as the dosage.

I am sorry to hear about Toffy! Chamomille tea is not toxic or harmful to dogs but I don't think it will likely provide much relief in these situations. The skin looks as if it is raw/ulcerated here (though it is a photo so difficult to say for certain). If that is the case then I would recommend a topical antibiotic ointment and if it is not improving then a trip to your vet. If the lesions is not actually ulcerated/raw then you could try a colloidal oatmeal shampoo and creme rinse such as Episoothe or the Duoxo Calm line of products https://www.douxo.com/us/douxo-solutions/douxo-calm as well as starting him on an omega fatty acid supplement such as Welactin, which can decrease inflammation in the skin.

Antihistamines are used routinely in dogs, but if Bella has a rash it's best to have an exam done by your veterinarian. Rashes can be caused by allergies but also bacterial and fungal infections, mites, immune suppression and other causes so it's important to get the right diagnosis.

Most OTC antihistamines can be used in dogs, however you should **never** give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Legally though, we cannot direct you to medicate your pet in the absence of a physical exam and a VCPR (veterinarian-client-patient-relationship). [Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies) can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes ([environmental](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-allergies-vs-environmental-allergies-whats-the-difference), [food](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies), [flea bites](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/flea-allergy), etc.). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss [food elimination trials](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect) and [allergy testing](https://www.petcoach.co/article/allergy-testing-immunotherapy-in-dogs) 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.

That scrubs is fine to use on the feet as a cleaner daily. You can also apply cortisone cream or medicated powder in between the toes to help keep them clean and dry. If it continues you may want to talk to your vet about a food trial for food allergies or environmental allergens to prevent further occurrences.