Are there allergy medicines for just dogs?

I talked to my vet yesterday, and they said to try regular benadryl for my AmStaff to see if it would help her watery eyes and snorting. I would rather use something specific for dogs if I could.

They are closed for the weekend, so I can't call them, and it's not an emergency. I'm just curious.

Thank you!!!

there are many medications that work well for both humans and dogs. There are many antibiotics and other medications that are marketed for both use in humans and in pets. Some may be sold under different brand names, but are the same drug.

I never reccommend the use of any medication tho without talking to your vet. You may not know what medications are safe, or what is the safe dose to use.

Your vet confirmed that it is safe to use, and I would assume he also told you the proper dose to use as well.

I suggest using the benedryll for the weekend, at the dose and frequency suggesed by your vet, and call your vet on Monday to ask about other options. I know there are allergy shots available, which may be an option.

Your vet may have suggested the benedryll as a first option because it will be cheapest for you, and may be just as effective, with the least amount of side effects.


Edited to add:
Alot of drugs that are specifically marketed for pets can often cost MORE than the same drug that is marketed for people! People dont know any better and will buy it because they believe that they must have something that is made for pets. One suggestion for keeping the price of pet medications down is to ask the vet for an Rx, then take it to your nearest drug store to see if they can fill it. This is not possible for all medications, but many drugs can be done this way.

I did not even know they made liver flavored benedryll OTC! That is interesting to know! I know that pharmaceuticals can sometimes mix drugs and add flavors to them, but I didnt know it was readily available like that. Report Abuse

I would try the Benadryl to begin with and see how it works. The vet is probably trying to go with something that will be less expensive for you and that you can get any time you need it. There are medicines that are just for dogs but Benadryl will not hurt her and normally works depending on how severe the allergies are.

I got allergy medicine for my dogs when we were hanging drywall in our house. It was a long time ago, so I don't remember what it was. You have to watch benedryl, and not get the decongestant kind. How would you know how much benedryl to give the dog? Does it come in a childrens dosage? Can you call a vet that is open on the weekend? It wouldn't hurt to ask another vet.

There may be, but it won't be safer, more effective, less expensive or easier to obtain.

Benedryl is an antihistamine. Anything that produces histamine can use an antihistamine. It is basic physiology.

Please give the medicine as directed by your vet.

Good luck!

Yes there are that cost twice as much. But my vet has always told me to use benadryl for allergies. It saved one of my dogs when he got bee stung and had a terrible reaction, until I got him to the vet. Now he has to have his very own bee sting kit.

there are dog allergy medicines for dogs who have special allergies that need special medicine for food allergies and such. you usually just use a small amount of human allergy medicine for dogs, according to their weight.
good luck!

We often use human antihistamines for dogs. Benedryl is common and extremely safe. There aren't really any "dog" antihistamines, though there are other medications for dogs that can help with allergy symptoms. Most of these are some sort of steroid.

Benedryl is a very safe drug to use with dogs. It's very hard to overdose using benedryl and very few dogs have any adverse reactions with it.

Again, Benadryl. Good luck. Works well.