Benadryl-- how well tolerated?

[cnvh]

So my OTTB has been having an outbreak of hives over the past couple weeks-- regular little ones, not the big welt-y variety. Dosed him with Benadryl (12 25-mg tabs, 2x/day) and it cleared up after 3 or 4 doses. The hives stayed away for a few days but then returned, so we put him back on Benadryl 2x/day for 2 days.

We had a long dry spell followed by some rain and high/humid temps, so I’m guessing either the bug population exploded, or else some weird weed has sprouted in his pasture… But his other pasture-mates are fine, no issues.

How long can a horse be on Benadryl? Thankfully it’s a cheap treatment and seems to work, but I’m not sure about having him on and off it every few days.

[JB]

Are they actually hives, or mosquito bites?

My thinner skinned mare gets more bite lumps than the thicker-skinned boys do.

[cnvh]

I’m pretty sure it’s hives, based on the coverage patterns.

[JB]

If he’s not itching, I wouldn’t worry about it. Yes, the antihistamine will reduce swelling of bug bites, but if they aren’t bothering him, I wouldn’t use it just for the cosmetics. If he’s itching though, go for it. And I’d just use it when necessary

[hessy35]

I would just ask your vet for some Tri-Hist. A large bottle will last a long time and is better for the horse than Benadryl (and made for your horse).

[islgrl]

I have used benadryl for the better part of a week before with no problems. In recent years I have taken the approach with hives that if they are not overtly uncomfortable I let nature take its course and don’t treat them…

[Wayside]

One of my mares always breaks out in hives once a year in late spring, usually about the time the bugs start getting bad. So every year she gets benadryl three times a day for about a week, and so far it seems to help with the itching and swelling, and then she’s fine for the rest of the year.

While I’m giving it to her she still looks lumpy, but she seems a lot more comfortable.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

It has worked quite well on dogs and horses and owners. Stops hives right away in my experience with dogs and horses.

[fjordmom]

Had similar hive issues with my sensitive OTTB. My vet had me using 7 Benadryl 2x daily, as needed. She said it was fine to just keep him on it all summer long. I was usually able to have him go off it for stretches when he wasn’t itchy. If he just had welts, but no major itching, I’d sponge liberally with witchhazel. That would take welts down quite quickly and stop any short term itching too. He especially liked it if I kept a cold bottle of witchhazel in the barn fridge. In the big picture, I think the Benadryl did more for him than the allergy shots he was on for several years (and they did initially help some).

Currently using the 2X daily Benadryl on a Sweet Itch prone pony I’m leasing. He had a little start of the itch early in the summer, but looks and seems to feel absolutely fabulous right now. Not a lesion on him and his mane and tail are completely intact! Past pictures from the owner showed him with huge bloody/scabby patches on his belly and neck and pretty much just a “rat tail”, he was so uncomfortable in his old environment. (His owner was diligent in his care, fly sheeted, leg wrapped, face masked to the hilt. It wasn’t owner neglect, indeed, she is enough of a true horsewoman to part with this adorable guy so he could be comfortable, even preferring to have me lease to see if I wanted to even deal with his issues. I feel privileged to have him in my care; he’s such a lover.) I tried backing him off to 1X daily Benadryl, but he’d start some rubbing then, so went back to 2X daily. I will keep him on it for the duration of the summer. It is definitely working for him.

I also have my other itchy pony on it this summer. The flies have been horrendous for what ever reason (guessing the hot, humid weather). It hasn’t totally stopped his itching, but I’ve been off an on with him. Thinking I should just keep him on it for the next few weeks until we have a fly-killing frost.

For those that haven’t discovered it yet, Sam’s Club has Benadryl 600 count bottles for $5. Cheap as dirt, but boy do you get the look from the cashier when you buy 4 at a time.

[horsepoor]

Tri-hist (mentioned by one poster) has never been very effective for me and I have yet to find a horse that would willingly eat it. I have used benadryl for my guys as needed and felt it worked pretty well, and is well accepted so I don’t have to jump through hoops to get it in them. The only issue I’ve had is that I did have a horse that would stop sweating when on antihistamines – happened with benadryl and also hydroxyzine – so I’m careful to watch for signs of that whenever I use it.

[hoopoe]

diphenhydramine ( benadryl) is dyphenhydramine, so it does not matter if it is labeled for human use or animal use. Same as Tri-hist ( pseudoephedrine and pyrilamine) , it does not matter if you get from vet supply or from your human drug store. Diphenhydramine grinds well and goes into applesauce or whatever, I never had issues with getting my horse to eat it.

It is well tolerated but will cause a bit of drowsiness. I usually gave one dose. On particularly bad outbreaks a half dose the next day. I always gave my horse a few days off to let the skin settle down

Aveeno Oatmeal soak also helps with drawing the lesions. Spong it on and leave. If you do not have access to this, quick cooking oatmeal can do in a pinch. Place a generous amount inside an old sock and soak well in water.

with both products, Sponge on horse and leave to dry

diphenhydramine is not show legal

[caryledee]

Both of mine stay on 500 mg benadryl 2x a day for spring and summer. I have never had any side effects from it. One of mine is prone to anhidrosis which has been triggered by both Zyrtec and Trihist but the benadryl never has.