Q: Benedryl dosage

Answered by Phiti on 5/6/2005, 8:16 pm

A: Benedryl dosage

Sorry if I sounded condescending, I just couldn't imagine why they would suggest 1 mg per pound in a cat. It's a huge dose even for a dog! The normal dose for a human with minor allergies is only 50 mg, even for a 160 lb person. g

UTBRKK was right to suggest perhaps using a lower dose to start. Since your cat is diabetic, it would be wise to start with the 1/4 mg per lb or even less if possible.

If your cat doesn't like the liquid (lots of cats don't like human flavors and many liquid medications contain alcohol--unless you get the alcohol free children't type), or you can't find benadryl pills (they're usually in caplets or capsules these days) that you can divide accurately you can try a compounding pharmacy. Most compounding pharmacies can crush OTC medications and put them into a suspension or solution in almost any flavor (even perhaps tuna!!).

> > Yes of course I asked for the cat dosage. That was why
> the
> > whole thing was so stupid. And yes I asked to speak to my
> > vet, the receptionist asked why and when I told her was
> when
> > she told me the dosage. I also asked to double check that
> it
> > is safe for a Diabetic cat (in years past my sister and
> I
> > have both been told by different vets to give Benedryl to
> > our cats, but this particular cat is Diabetic), so she
> > checked with one of the other vets who said it is ok.
> > I can call back and ask to have my vet call me. I see
> the
> > dosage posted on various boards but some say 1 mg and
> some
> > say 1/2!
> > I certainly don't want to overdose him!!
> >
> >
> > > illlgalus,
> > > I have a question and some suggestions.
> > > Did you ask the clinic receptionist that you needed a
> > dosage
> > > for a CAT? Why did they give you the dose for a dog?
> > >
> > > Benadryl isn't usually prescribed for cats. The dosage
> > for
> > > benadryl, as well as other antihistamines, has not been
> > well
> > > established for cats. If your vet told you a specific
> > dose
> > > to give, call the clinic back and ask to talk to THAT
> > vet,
> > > get the RIGHT dosage, and be very careful to give an
> > > accurate dose at the right intervals and monitor your
> cat
> > > closely for adverse effects.
> > >
> > > Even at low doses, benadryl can cause depression,
> > > hyperexcitability, vomiting, fever, muscle tremors,
> rapid
> > or
> > > depressed heart rates, disorientation, and seizures in
> > cats,
> > > depending on the cats age, general health, sensitivity
> to
> > > antihistamines and how effectively the cat metabolizes
> > the
> > > drug.
> > >
> > > In addition, it isn't a good idea to take the advice of
> a
> > > vet office receptionist without having them communicate
> > > directly with the vet. They don't generally have any
> > > training in the direct medical care of animals and may
> > not
> > > be giving you accurate information.
> > > You can insist on speaking directly to the vet--even if
> > they
> > > have to call you back at the end of their workday.
> > >
> > > Phiti
> > >
> > > > Several months ago my vet told me to give my cat
> > > Benedryl
> > > > when allergies get bad, I can't remember the dose but
> > > think
> > > > it was 1/2 mg per pound. I called the clinic to ask
> the
> > > vet
> > > > and the receptionist informed me it is 1 mg per
> pound,
> > so
> > > a
> > > > 50 pound dog would be 50 mg. Well I have a CAT. Is
> the
> > > > dosage the same?! Once or twice a day?
> > > > Thank you!
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
> I would always recommend to ask a vet, but since your vet
> has told you it's safe in the past and you're only looking
> for confirmation of what the receptionist told you, I'll
> give you my input. The safe dosage is no more than .5mg per
> pound for cats. Some people even err on the side of safety
> and give only .25mg per pound. It can be given every 12
> hours. If he's 12 pounds or bigger, then giving him a 1/4
> tablet of the standard Benadryl tablet will be okay (make
> sure there is no decongestant in it, only an antihistamine -
> diphenhydramine hydrochloride). If he's 10 lbs or under,
> you should use the liquid and use a syringe to give him
> .10ml (cc's), or slightly less according to his weight.
> That is assuming it is the standard strength - 50mg/ml.
>
> Benadryl is best used for acute allergies (like to insect
> stings or vaccinations) and upper respiratory symptoms. If
> it's a chronic skin allergy you're treating, you should
> consult your vet about something longer lasting with fewer
> side effects, like cortisone.
>