Aonther Benedryl question....sorry

Typically the over-the counter Bendryl has 12.5 mg per teaspoon and 25 mg per otc capsule.

 The dose is 1-2 mg per pound which is a pretty wide range.

A *minimal* dose would be a full teaspoon of the liquid elixer (that's a bit under dosed) given two to four times a day.

A pretty max over the counter dose (and a vet can and will exceed this if need be) is either 2 teaspoons or one capsule.  That's as close as you can come without breaking it into microns.

 Try ALSO brewing a pitcher of regular black tea.  Make it strong.  When she comes in from having been in the grass, take a 1/2 cup of tea and swish her paws in it and then blot on a turkish towel (not paper).  Do that *every* time she goes out.  The tannic acid helps neutralize the allergens.  Yes, it's just topical but it *does* help. 

The Benedryl needs to be given **at least** twice a day and three times is better.  Yes, it will make her sleepy for a while but after a few weeks the dogs actually do learn to deal with it.  The body needs a steady supply of the anti-histamine during peak allergy seasons so you aren't just giving it 'after the fact' but giving the body what it needs on an ongoing basis to deal with the histamines as they enter the body.

 Frequent bathing helps a LOT.  Wipe the entire dog down with a damp washcloth upon coming back in the house (in addition to the tea) and actually bathing once a week REALLY helps an allergy dog (pollen goes right thru their skin). 

The hysteria about not bathing a dog "too often" is truly just an over-reaction -- vets are starting to recommend this now that it's known how much pollen is absorbed thru the skin. 

Just use a very gentle shampoo -- and I don't use a conditioner (it can honestly trap allergens).  I might add 15 drops of lavender essential oil and maybe 5 drops of tea tree essential oil to the final rinse water -- it conditions the coat beautifully but won't make it sticky.  I'm saying to add those drops to maybe 2 gallons of water to just pour over the dog as a final rinse (don't just sprinkle the oil on the dog -- that's too intense). 

It will keep the coat from drying out and condition it nicely.

 ok, so what you are saying is I can give Zoe 1 teaspoon (5ml) 2-3x/day?  I've been giving her 2mls just to be safe, cause I wasn't sure.

I've got the tea brewed, and I've put it into a little spray bottle and have it in the fridge.  Is this alright? or do I have to brew up a fresh cup every day?  I' ve been blotting on paper towel.  Why not paper towel, and what is turkish towel?

Thanks for the help! 

Yes -- a teaspoon is a **minimal** dose at her weight. (it's not really even a minimal dose so DO give it at least twice a day).

With the tea -- don't spray it on.  Actually draw a small bowl (maybe half a cup of tea) and swish each foot in it. 

Paper towels have paper dust -- you don't want to add an irritant.  A turkish towel is a terry towel -- like a bath or hand towel.  Just use an old one because the tea will stain but this will absorb better.

You're partly removing allergens that may cling to the feet, but just that brief soak actually helps calm the skin down -- will do a far far far better job to swish each foot in the liquid than just a small squirt.  You want to really get in between the toes, etc -- which actually swishing the foot around will do -- but just squirting it on the surface won't accomplish it.

You can refrigerate leftover tea -- no problem.  But don't stick the foot in cold tea (dog will not like that *smile*).  Generally I make a whole sun tea jar full (one with the little spigot at the bottom) so it's easy to draw off a small margerine tub with enough tea to accomplish all four feet.

A small treat after each foot as you play the 'swishy foot game' will ensure this is a happy time.  Billy hated to have his feet touched when we first got him -- and David did this after his walks and he soon couldn't WAIT to get to the front steps and the tea knowing he was gonna get a tiny bit of string cheese for his foot bath!!

 ok, will do the swooshy thing.  I have lots of old bath towels so will use them.

Thanks again, callie! 

Interesting. Never thought of the tea :) My Golden has terrible allergies....to everything....*sigh* and when he's at his worst he gets 4 pills 4x's a day. He has  gotten so bad a couple of times as to need Cortizone injections :( despite medicated (prescribed) baths, benadryl (or claritin), and anti-itch sprays  

The tea trick really does help, and fortunately, most dogs don't seem to mind it. I also found that Nu Sal T shampoo worked best for keeping the itchiness down. In addition to giving benadryl, I also give fish oil caps daily.

cakana

The tea trick really does help, and fortunately, most dogs don't seem to mind it. I also found that Nu Sal T shampoo worked best for keeping the itchiness down. In addition to giving benadryl, I also give fish oil caps daily.

He gets Fish Oil I've never heard of Nu Sal T?? He uses ResiCORT and Histacalm....