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  Discussion on Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Author Message
New Member:
mbchapma

Posted on Friday, Feb 29, 2008 - 10:20 pm:

Good news! }Benadryl is now avaliable in quick dissolve strips. Each strip is the same dosage (25 mg)as the tablets or capsules. I sandwiched 10 strips (they are very small) between two flat treat cookies and they were gobbled up! The strips are vanilla mint flavored, Stormy nodded his head and wanted more! What a time and hassle saver, beats "hiding" tablets or emptying 8-10 capsules!
Member:
dove2

Posted on Friday, Mar 7, 2008 - 7:24 pm:

So what did you use the Benadryl for?
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Friday, Mar 7, 2008 - 9:47 pm:

A long time ago my mare Sweetheart had hives, I called my vet and he told me to give her 10 benadryl. One for each 100 lbs. Cleared the hives right up, he was always really nice about helping me save a vet call.

Cynthia
New Member:
mbchapma

Posted on Saturday, Mar 8, 2008 - 8:36 pm:

Past 4 years Stormy has had an allergic reaction to some thing, in some pastures, beginning early Spring. Lymph nodes, especially the parotid, in the throatlatch area swell. I usually use hyDrOxyzine for symptoms, but he had an episode last week (which was seasonally early), and I had none on hand. This event was more severe in that his breathing was also somewhat affected. Vet suggested that I try Benadryl for relief until she could take a look at him. The Benadryl did help some.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Sunday, Mar 9, 2008 - 7:51 am:

Mary Beth thanks for the tip the strips sound very handy!

Does/could benadryl make a horse DrOwsy? It knocks me out for a day and wondered if it can have the same effect on horses?
New Member:
mbchapma

Posted on Sunday, Mar 9, 2008 - 9:49 am:

DrOwsy, yes, but doesn't "knock him out". I've used Benadryl only at night and he is stalled nights. I won't use it and then turn him out in a herd situation. I've observed that the strips are much faster acting than pills/capsules.
New Member:
texaslsc

Posted on Monday, Mar 10, 2008 - 1:18 pm:

Mary Beth, I know this is somewhat old post but are you still there? Where do you live and did you find out what was causing the allergic reaction? I live in the Austin area and until my friends son fell in what is called a Stinging Neetle (latin name is Urtica) did I know that this bad weed is in full swing.
When I have touched this weed, now located in pasture and yard, it stings then throbs for hours. Both horses are off their water and I know when water applied to the area that is affected, it intesifies 10 fold. A friend of mine said ammonia can be applied to the area. I have not tried this yet but I will if I can stand the pain if it doesn't work. I have contacted A&M and they didn't have a solution for horses that consume this bad weed. My miniature stallion has been coughing and his nasal passages are swollen. I was given SMZ's for the coughing and drainage but he is still coughing. The other horse won't drink but very small amounts of water and had to have several litres of saline for dehydration. I asked about Benadryl with a local vet and she had no comment. Sorry for the long post but I thought you might won't to see if you have that weed and if Dr. O has any suggestions. Thank you for your time.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008 - 6:20 am:

Welcome Linda,
Benadryl will not be an effective treatment for the primary effects of stinging nettle, though it may ameliorate secondary inflammatory reactions.

It has several different substances, usually small acids, that cause direct irritation to the skin. Some species do contain histamines but antihistamines do not work by blocking the effects of histamine. They work by preventing the release of histamines from inflammatory cells. If you would like to discuss your coughing pony you should post a new discussion in the Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System. We have several articles on coughing so review the topics titles and choose the one that best describes your pony. Review the article and discussions and if you do not see answers to your questions, post a new discussion. You will find the button at the bottom of the list of discussions already present.
DrO
New Member:
chewning

Posted on Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 - 9:04 am:

My horse gets very itchy this time of year (starting in February) and loses the hair on the top of his tail by May. Nothing has worked - kenalog from the vet, aloe vera, etc. I heard the benadryl may work. How much benadryl would I give to an 1,100 lb horse and how many times a day?
Member:
tamarag

Posted on Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 - 2:13 pm:

Have you considered going natural with Herb's in the grain instead of a product that sedates?

If you are interested let me know and I can give you some idea's. Does not have to cause a arm and leg.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 - 4:41 pm:

Hi Angela,
If you read from the top of this thread you will see how much to use. My vet told one 25mg tablet for each 100 lbs, Marybeth used 10 quick dissolve flavored strips for her horse.

Cynthia
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Feb 15, 2009 - 8:26 am:

Welcome Angela,
Let me help you get started off right. Rather than placing questions about your horse at the bottom of another member's discussion, you should "Start a New Discussion". There are several advantages to keeping discussions separate:
  • there is no confusion about which question is being discussed
  • it will help keep Horseadvice more organized
  • you review the Article and "ALL" the existing discussions
  • more folks are likely to see your post and so you will receive quicker and more responses
You will find the "Start New Discussion" button at the bottom of the parent page to any particular discussion. It is beneath the article and list of already present discussions.

Looking at your post let me suggest a better place to post your question. Starting at the homepage follow these menu options: Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Overview of Pruritis: Scratching & Rubbing. It includes a discussion of antihistimines but I would like for you to try and get a diagnosis so you might treat the cause.

Before posting you should review the article as you will find helpful information. If it does not answer your question and you don't see a related discussion that answers your question you should "Start a New Discussion" with your question. For more on this and other important information see Help & Information on Using This Site » Welcome to The Horseman's Advisor. Thanks for helping us stay organized.
DrO
PS, by copying your post you can easily paste it into a new discussion.
PPS, many members prefer not to display there full name in their posts. You can edit this in your profile to display your chosen moniker.
New Member:
chewning

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009 - 4:29 pm:

Thanks for the quick response. I am interested in natural options for my Paint's itchy tail, chest and knees. Thanks
New Member:
chewning

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009 - 4:35 pm:

Dr. O,
I finally found your article on itching. I'm getting used to this site. I saw that you recommend Benadryl 1-2mg/kg every 8-12hrs. My horse is approximately 1,100lbs.
An earlier post said to use 25 mg for each 100 lbs which would mean 11 tablets twice a day. I figured your dosage would be about 15 twice a day (However, I'm not good at Kg/pound conversions). Which is correct?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 - 6:55 am:

Hello Angela,
You should repost your question in a new discussions at Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin » Overview of Pruritis: Scratching & Rubbing.
DrO
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