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#1
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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? |
#2
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Antihistamine for cats?
"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 |
#3
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Antihistamine for cats?
"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. |
#4
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Antihistamine for cats?
"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. |
#5
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Antihistamine for cats?
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. |
#6
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Antihistamine for cats?
"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 |
#7
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Antihistamine for cats?
"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. |
#8
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Antihistamine for cats?
"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. |
#9
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Antihistamine for cats?
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. |
#10
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Antihistamine for cats?
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. |
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