Antihistamine for cats?

One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages small enough for
a cat?

"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages small enough
for
a cat?


One of my previous fosters had upper respiratory problems that the vet
treated by giving her benedryl. I'm not sure of the dosage but it was
available in capsules because the adoptive mom had problems giving the cat
the liquid (she hated the taste) but was able to pill the kitty. The
benedryl finally cleared up the snotty nose and weepy eyes.

I love it when the adoptive mom's keep me up to date on my fosters )

W

"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies.

What kind of allergies?


I recall being told years ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label?


Yup. The most common antihistamine used in cats is cyproheptadine
(Periactin). Along with antihistamine/antipuritic effects, it's also an
effective appetite stimulant and its also used in controlling urine
spraying.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is also sometimes used in cats before
vaccinations to prevent reactions to the vaccine.

Antihistamines also have a mild sedative effect in cats.

How do you get dosages small enough for
a cat?

Cut the pills in half or quarters. The 4 mg tablets are scored for easy
cutting.

"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages small enough
for
a cat?


I just went through this with my kitty who has allergies. Please call
your own vet to verify this--but my vet told me to give my cat
Chlortrimeton (that is the brand name but there is a generic). It comes
in 4 mg tablets, and he said I could give her 2 mgs every twelve hours.
I have a pill cutter and cut them in half. This is a 7-lb cat, and she is
on no other medications except quarterly Depo Medrol shots.
Again, do call your vet to verify that this is okay for your cat.

Also: work on removing the allergens.

cybercat wrote:


"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years
ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some
things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages small
enough
for
a cat?


I just went through this with my kitty who has allergies. Please call
your own vet to verify this--but my vet told me to give my cat
Chlortrimeton (that is the brand name but there is a generic). It comes
in 4 mg tablets, and he said I could give her 2 mgs every twelve hours.
I have a pill cutter and cut them in half. This is a 7-lb cat, and she
is
on no other medications except quarterly Depo Medrol shots.
Again, do call your vet to verify that this is okay for your cat.

Also: work on removing the allergens.


I have allergies myself and take benedryl or chlortrimeton (generic
versions). Both put me to sleep so I take them only at night.
Is your cat sleeping more now? 2mg sounds like a lot since the human dose
is 4mg every 6 hours.

"Phil P." wrote in message
...

"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies.

What kind of allergies?


I recall being told years ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label?


Yup. The most common antihistamine used in cats is cyproheptadine
(Periactin). Along with antihistamine/antipuritic effects, it's also an
effective appetite stimulant and its also used in controlling urine
spraying.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is also sometimes used in cats before
vaccinations to prevent reactions to the vaccine.

Antihistamines also have a mild sedative effect in cats.

How do you get dosages small enough for
a cat?

Cut the pills in half or quarters. The 4 mg tablets are scored for easy
cutting.


Phil, I think it important to add that cyproheptadine can have a very strong
and long lasting sedative effect on cats. I've had two cats on it and even
at 1/4 dosage they are zonked for 2 days. Plus, at that dosage it seems to
have no appetite stimulating benefit. It needs to be administered
cautiously and IMO starting at a quarter the dose the vet prescribes. It's
downright scary to see the effect it can have on a cat. I thought mine
would never wake up.

Paul

"5cats" wrote in message
...
cybercat wrote:


"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years
ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some
things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages small
enough
for
a cat?


I just went through this with my kitty who has allergies. Please call
your own vet to verify this--but my vet told me to give my cat
Chlortrimeton (that is the brand name but there is a generic). It comes
in 4 mg tablets, and he said I could give her 2 mgs every twelve hours.
I have a pill cutter and cut them in half. This is a 7-lb cat, and she
is
on no other medications except quarterly Depo Medrol shots.
Again, do call your vet to verify that this is okay for your cat.

Also: work on removing the allergens.


I have allergies myself and take benedryl or chlortrimeton (generic
versions). Both put me to sleep so I take them only at night.
Is your cat sleeping more now? 2mg sounds like a lot since the human dose
is 4mg every 6 hours.


It does sound like a lot, but it does not work the way we might think, i.e.
dosage according to poundage. Call your vet in the morning to verify!
She might get a bit more sleepy but she is a cat, she already sleeps a
lot so who can tell? Best thing is it stops her from scratching and
helps when she has the sniffles.

"5cats" wrote in message
...
cybercat wrote:


"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years
ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some
things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages small
enough
for
a cat?


I just went through this with my kitty who has allergies. Please call
your own vet to verify this--but my vet told me to give my cat
Chlortrimeton (that is the brand name but there is a generic). It comes
in 4 mg tablets, and he said I could give her 2 mgs every twelve hours.
I have a pill cutter and cut them in half. This is a 7-lb cat, and she
is
on no other medications except quarterly Depo Medrol shots.
Again, do call your vet to verify that this is okay for your cat.

Also: work on removing the allergens.


I have allergies myself and take benedryl or chlortrimeton (generic
versions). Both put me to sleep so I take them only at night.
Is your cat sleeping more now? 2mg sounds like a lot since the human dose
is 4mg every 6 hours.


It does sound like a lot, but it does not work the way we might think, i.e.
dosage according to poundage. Call your vet in the morning to verify!
She might get a bit more sleepy but she is a cat, she already sleeps a
lot so who can tell? Best thing is it stops her from scratching and
helps when she has the sniffles.

Phil P. wrote:


"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies.

What kind of allergies?

Don't know. She's overgroomed to the point of creating a small raw patch
on her tummy. (Is that what they call a "hot spot"?)
Considering the time of year it could be seasonal. This also corresponds
to a change in diet from dry K/D to K/D canned. There's also a new cat
bed she uses which smells funny to me. "catnip treated" it said on the
tag. Also, I stopped using my room air filter for my own allergies in the
same timeframe.

I recall being told years ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some
things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just using
human OTC antihistamines off-label?


Yup. The most common antihistamine used in cats is cyproheptadine
(Periactin). Along with antihistamine/antipuritic effects, it's also
an
effective appetite stimulant and its also used in controlling urine
spraying.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is also sometimes used in cats before
vaccinations to prevent reactions to the vaccine.

Antihistamines also have a mild sedative effect in cats.

How do you get dosages small enough for
a cat?

Cut the pills in half or quarters. The 4 mg tablets are scored for
easy
cutting.

Even 1/4 is a larger dosage than I would have guessed for a 12 pound
cat.

cybercat wrote:


"5cats" wrote in message
...
cybercat wrote:


"5cats" wrote in message
...
One of my cats apparently has allergies. I recall being told years
ago
that antihistamines didn't work in cats, but now I'm reading some
things
that suggest that they do work. But I haven't found anything very
specific.

Are there veterinary antihistamines available or are people just
using human OTC antihistamines off-label? How do you get dosages
small
enough
for
a cat?


I just went through this with my kitty who has allergies. Please
call your own vet to verify this--but my vet told me to give my cat
Chlortrimeton (that is the brand name but there is a generic). It
comes in 4 mg tablets, and he said I could give her 2 mgs every
twelve hours. I have a pill cutter and cut them in half. This is a
7-lb cat, and she
is
on no other medications except quarterly Depo Medrol shots.
Again, do call your vet to verify that this is okay for your cat.

Also: work on removing the allergens.


I have allergies myself and take benedryl or chlortrimeton (generic
versions). Both put me to sleep so I take them only at night.
Is your cat sleeping more now? 2mg sounds like a lot since the human
dose is 4mg every 6 hours.


It does sound like a lot, but it does not work the way we might think,
i.e. dosage according to poundage. Call your vet in the morning to
verify! She might get a bit more sleepy but she is a cat, she already
sleeps a lot so who can tell? Best thing is it stops her from
scratching and helps when she has the sniffles.


We saw a vet yesterday, but she's only a temp fill-in and she seemed
really hesitant to make any firm recommendations.
I'll be able to talk to my regular vet on Friday. In the mean time the
steroid/antibiotic cream we got yesterday really does seem to be helping.