Question for vets/dog people - sedating with benedryl?

[jerp]

This is Abby.

She's a smart and well behaved dog, but loud noises turn her into a hyperactive and neurotic loon. Thunder is bad enough but this is her worst weekend of the year. Starting tonight there will be almost nonstop fireworks in my neighborhood for 3 days. She goes nuts. If you are sitting down she jumps in your lap and shivers uncontrollably. As you walk around she stays between your feet. I can't even get her to go outside to pee. Once she got so worked-up she yacked on the carpet. My question is about "doggie-downers". Is there a scrip' I should get from the vet or will a couple of benedryl calm her down? I hesitate to use anything designed for humans unless I get the green light from someone who knows. What say you?
Thanks!

[jerp]

Maybe some beer in the water bowl?

[H-D]

I was going to suggest the beer, but you beat me to it.

Of couse this will make her want to urinate, but maybe she'll be buzzed enough to not worry about going outside.

[Mudslinger]

Call the Dog Whisperer. Jerp, she sure is a good looking dog, love the coloring on her. Sorry to hear about the problems with noises. A call to your local vet might give you an answer to what would help. Hope you find something for the girl.

[Sparkles]

My parents have the same problem with their golden retriever and they use benadryl on the 4th and whenever they go somewhere in the motorhome she gets real nervous so she gets it then too. One pill puts her right to sleep.

[DocHolliday]

Benadryl will work, how much does your dog weigh?
1-2 mg/kg is a good pediatric dose.
The vet will be able to give you true sedatives or tranquilizers, but my vet was fine with me giving Benadryl.

[Texas Grown]

My Golden has the same prob and freaks on the 4th. I keep him inside and turn on the radio wich drowns out a lot of the ka-booms. He is OK with the radio on.

On the other hand, Pickles, my lab, is always looking for birds to drop from the sky.

[Captrix]

I give my dogs 1 mg of benadryl per pound and I also give them some stuff called Rescue Remedy, you can get it at whole foods or central market. HEB Plus also has it near all the herbal stuff.

[Buckrider]

Ear muffs!

[Texas Tracker]

I give it to my dog it works well.

[Pistol]

Benedryl can work nicely. One pill for a 40 -55 pound dog works well for about 8 hours. Your vet can give a script for ace, which will KNOCK her OUT for at least 12-15 hours. You will wonder if anything will wake her. It is cheap too. It will get you through the weekend, and then you can start working her into loud noises.

When I have a puppy, it is natural for them to fear thunder, so when it starts thundering, or firecrackers start up, we play really hard and intense. After a while, especially if you get frequent storms, when they hear thunder, they want to play, instead of hide. Since teh behavior is ingrained in an adult dog, it will take a longer time. Start with popping noise and increase the volume, like popping a paper bag.

Surprised more gun dog folks haven't sounded off yet.

[agvet2004]

Pistol and Genevieve are right on with doses. 1 mg/pound up to every 8 hours. Behavioral modification like Pistol suggested is a great idea. If the benadryl does not work, there are other options. Give her a dose tonight to see hoe it affects her.

[xman59]

weve been drugging our chihuahua with childrens benedryl for several years,,she has gotten so worked up a few times she had seizures, thats when we decided to try it ,, it has worked on her and for us... nothing like a spazzed out dog!!

[jerp]

She was not quite a year old when we got her from the shelter - two years ago - and this fear was already well-ingrained at the time. I think it may be too late to desensitize her ?- for now we'll go with the drugs. Thanks for all the advice!

[Pistol]

No, it is not too late to desensitize her, except for this weekend. Like I said just start off with something sorta soft, like popping your lips, and gradually work your way up to louder noises. It all depends on how much time you spend with her, as to how quickly she will come around.
Bear in mind, it takes time for Benedryl to take effect, a good 15- 20 minutes.