Baby Benadryl for kitties?

[Hermein]

Back story: While picking up dog from groomer, saw cat on table just laying there while being clipped. When I asked, groomer said they never gave sedatives to those animals in their charge. Then I asked what would they give to cats in order to keep them calm on a road trip. He said a little baby strength Benadryl.

Really? What do you think about that?

[Louise]

I would fire any groomer that gave my cat or dog any medication as a sedative, and that’s exactly what they were doing to that cat if they were using Benadryl in this case. No medication like this should ever be used without consulting that animal’s vet. Benedryl can be used in the case of allergic reactions but dosage may vary according to size and weight. Plus, they don’t know if the animal might have an adverse reaction to the medication.

[Zu_Zu]

[QUOTE=Louise;8710063]
I would fire any groomer that gave my cat or dog any medication as a sedative, and that’s exactly what they were doing to that cat if they were using Benadryl in this case. No medication like this should ever be used without consulting that animal’s vet. Benedryl can be used in the case of allergic reactions but dosage may vary according to size and weight. Plus, they don’t know if the animal might have an adverse reaction to the medication.[/QUOTE]

THIS !

[Marshfield]

I think the owners probably gave the Benadryl before putting the cat in the carrier before the ride to the groomers

[Zu_Zu]

I add … I would never have a nervous cat given Baby Benadryl for any reason without a vet’s professional expertise.

I have had a vet administer some antihistamine … feral cat had an allergic reaction to vacs but the vet had given shots and same vet administered the antihistamine … yes two vet trips for saftey.

[B]Never for a road/ relocation … as in driving away from the vet help !

Just prepare the carrier correctly and drape a towel over the front … so the cat feels hidden and safe … while being able to peek out … cats will settle into the road trip in most cases.

This is IMHO … having relocated ferals, derals, and domestic cats safely without any side effects. * and annual vet apts.

I have a baby scale at home for weighing cats accurately … most people do not …

One should always know the cats weight before giving any medication
and
have vet guidance in what and how much according to CURRENT weight IMHO

Why risk the life of your cat ? Honestly ?!

[/B]

[Hermein]

Easy there, ZuZu. Easy. :winkgrin: The cat groomer told me that they NEVER sedated an animal they were working on. BUT, groomer obviously knew what to use to knock them out, so maybe . . .

My dog wasn’t sedated, just highly offended that I thought he needed a bath.

I’ll try the towel over the carrier. The last time I moved a cat cross country was a disaster–I was serenaded from Philadelphia to Denver, plus he peed on my leather upholstery.

[Hermein]

Easy there, ZuZu. Easy. :winkgrin: The cat groomer told me that they NEVER sedated an animal they were working on. BUT, groomer obviously knew what to use to knock them out, so maybe . . .

My dog wasn’t sedated, just highly offended that I thought he needed a bath.

I’ll try the towel over the carrier. The last time I moved a cat cross country was a disaster–I was serenaded from Philadelphia to Denver, plus he peed on my leather upholstery.

[horsenut_8700]

I give my cats Gabapentin as a light sedative for anything stressful (this is ok per vet). Much less stress involved for all of us!

[Zu_Zu]

[QUOTE=Hermein;8711009]
Easy there, ZuZu. Easy. :winkgrin: The cat groomer told me that they NEVER sedated an animal they were working on. BUT, groomer obviously knew what to use to knock them out, so maybe . . .

My dog wasn’t sedated, just highly offended that I thought he needed a bath.

I’ll try the towel over the carrier. The last time I moved a cat cross country was a disaster–I was serenaded from Philadelphia to Denver, plus he peed on my leather upholstery.[/QUOTE]

^ ok … never mind … I’m as stupid as a stick :lol:[B]

ETA - I did not say the groomer sedated that cat … I agreed with Louise’a post and added a post that said …
‘I would never have a nervous cat …blah blah blah … WITHOUT A VET’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE.’
This was just my ‘stupid as a stick’ opinion …IMSAASO

Let’s just … DELETE MY ACCOUNT [/B]

:lol::lol::lol:

[Horsegal984]

Benadryl can actually make cats hyper/more excited and is generally not a vets reccomended sedative.

There are however, oral sedatives that owners could give at home (prescribed by vet) before going to be groomed which could certainly explain why kitty was so calm. It’s also possible that kitty gets groomed frequently and doesn’t mind it.