Can I give a dog human anti-histamines?

[BitOfFunderthemistletoe]

Our small terrier was treated by the vet last month for mange (nice!), and we are due to pick up her second dose of some drops for the back of her neck just before Christmas. She has finished her antibiotics and anti-histamines prescribed at the same time.

The vet is closed today until Monday. I have just noticed her biting at her back legs again and am a bit concerned she might be incomfortable. Would it be possible for me to give her, say, a quarter of a piriton tablet if it eases any itching until Monday? Or is that a complete no-no?

Hope someone can help!

Not sure, but some of my American friends use their pets' generic drugs as they are the same but a lot cheaper.

The main question would be the dose I would have thought - half a human tablet could be way too much for a little dog.

Hmm, I'm not sure. When I took my fathers Akita to the vets for poorly joints he gave me a choice of giving him doggy vitimins or human omega 3 tablets, which are much cheaper. So some people meds are okay, but I'd be tempted to call some one and check.

My dad also saved my mums bird from dying of pneumonia with next doors anti biotics. The vets said he would have died if my dad hadn't medicated him over the weekend.

I will do some googling- it will have to be a tiny piece of a tablet though, I guess.

Why not buy some piriton syrup so you can be more precise?

Call your vets - there will be a vet on call who will phone you back and talk you through any human drugs you can use.

My dog is on Benedryl, on the vet's recommendation, it's one of the few human antihistamins you can give dogs. She is a boxer and her max dose is 5 tablets. I guess your dog would need 2 a day.

Get the classic Benadryl, not the one a day.

I might do that, I think there's some in the cupboard actually. A google has revealed that the older drowsy type of piriton is ok for dogs. I must say though, in general, that it looks like there are lots of human medications which are very toxic to dogs, so I would definitely want to check first.

The dog seems ok at the moment, so I'll hang fire anyway, but will dig out the piriton as a stand-by.

Please don't go guessing dosages and treating dogs for whom you don't know the implications of any other medications or other health conditions.

Really simple - phone the vet.

I hav rcntly givn my dog priton for a wasp sting, I gave syrup. I googld or may hav looked on hre for the amount.

Vet would only offer to sell me stuff but not advise on using what i had.

Call your vet - they can advise you as will have the notes, weight and breed of dog, and don't necessarily have to see you. It doesn't cost to call.
Some antihistamines are ok, but without your clinical notes I can't advise further, your vet can.

I tried calling the vet before I posted (cos I knew what Bella would say ), but it's just an ansaphone message saying they are closed. There is an emergency mobile though- is it fair enough to try that, or will they shout at me?

They won't shout - that mobile will be in the hands of the vet on call who - honestly- will be very happy to answer your questions.

...and LOL at knowing what Bella would say

Will give it a try then- thanks all

You can give human anti histamines to dogs. My vet told me to do just that, so I'm confident in saying that.

It was piriton by the way and for a skin condition too.

Yes, you can give Piriton in emergencies for stings, etc. but if the dog's already on medication and you're not sure of the dose, then surely it makes a teeny bit of sense to call somebody who knows...

Just ignor m, my vet must b a complt arse (sorry got a dodgy 'e' key) having seen my pup 4 days bfore (puppy jab) wouldn't consult over phon, despit m saying dog was distressed and hated going in the car so I didn't want to put her through it - when I knw full well that human piriton was safe for dogs.

The syrup the sell is the same mg/per ml dos as human stuff anyway.

Good luck with spaking to th vet

LBC - change your vet, honey

The dog hasn't had any meds for a couple of weeks now. I did just speak to the vet on the phone though, and she said to give one 4mg tablet of the old-style drowsy piriton twice a day. Chemist is only a few doors down, so I've nipped out and spent the 99p- bargain! Thanks for the advice, glad I rang.

when our 10.5stone woofa got stung by several bees (daft mutt was investigating the hive ) his head swelled up so much that eyes shut

i rang the vet in a panic and he said to bring down - at the time the stupid mutt wasnt good at getting into cars (but granny solved that) and i rang vet and he said to give him 20mls piraton - hes big and same dose 4hrs later

it worked, and now woofa gets into car, so next emergancy he will see vet

Good news, BOF. Hope little Nipper is more comfy soon

Blondie - your steadfast refusal to use hot dogs as training treats got you into that mess in the first place, you know. Dogs simply don't work as well for organic pork.

i told you i dropped mine from firework night, a sausage in a bun is not a hotdog!!!

woofa works well for cheese or blue/white dish cloths (obv the latter not given to him)

Am about to go bake some liver for my woofas.

Nigella's house smells of cinnamon, cloves, and fruit cake.

Bella's is a little more ripe

ripe or tripe