# Benadryl I was just wondering how many vets give benadryl during vaccinations? Our vet seems to think it will help with the soreness in Keikos shoulders... it just worries me... This time he seemed to give her quite a large dose of it too - they gave us a card at home for childrens benadryl doses according… ## Thread In Health · started by Kaddy · 8 replies - **Category:** [Health](https://nihonken.org/community/c/health) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## Kaddy · 2008-08-21T22:55:22.000Z I was just wondering how many vets give benadryl during vaccinations? Our vet seems to think it will help with the soreness in Keikos shoulders... it just worries me... This time he seemed to give her quite a large dose of it too - they gave us a card at home for childrens benadryl doses according to weight, and I'm positive he didn't give her just 1tsp. The poor thing never has accidents in her crate, but not too long after she got in it in the car she had a poo AND pee... then had to wait 5 minutes while we drove her home - clearly there was MUCH howling. So after another bath, and another accident after her vaccinations... I just wonder if the benadryl is causing it, if it could be caused by the actual trauma of the visit, or maybe even the vaccination itself? ## MommyofNiko · 2008-08-21T23:11:41.000Z Niko had a very severe reaction to her vaccinations once so I appreciate the benadryl. I dont personally think (but could be wrong) that Benadryl would cause that type of reaction. If it were an adverse reaction I think if would be vomiting. Did you ask home much was given? Niko gets one tablet (she is 17 lb). I think it is prob the trauma of the visit and the shots to have a lower GI reaction. ## TeamLaika · 2008-08-21T23:25:10.000Z Benadryl dose for dogs is high (when compared to people). Dogs are routinely given 2-4 mg/kg twice daily. Sometimes small dogs are administered an injectable NSAID (non-steroidal anti-nflammatory, eg. meloxicam or rimadyl) at the time of vaccines to ward off any swelling or soreness at injection sites. Some dogs need both! How many vaccines did Keiko receive? You might consider staggering them. As far as poo and pee...not a commonly associated response to benadryl so could be overall stress from the veterinary visit. Poor Keiko! ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-08-21T23:25:13.000Z I know we have a number of vet employees her who will likely have a more scientific response to this, and I hope they do post. Benadryl has a sedative effect as I understand it. Perhaps the dose of Benadryl in conjunction with the stress of leaving the vet and then calming down from leaving, she just lost a little control and "let go". My vets have never administered anything but the vaccinations themselves so I have no take on the dosing. Although I would like to think that your vet would be wise enough to not overdose your puppy.... ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-08-21T23:57:36.000Z thats different, for me anyway - like Jessica said, our vet has never administered anything BUT vaccines when that is what we are there for. maybe they thought the shiba would be more prone to a vaccine reaction? odd. ## Kaddy · 2008-08-22T00:27:21.000Z Jess - that's exactly what I was thinking. Kieko has the habit of only going poo once per day on our nightly walkrs - was one of the things we wanted to ask the vet about ... he said it was ok. But maybe she just couldn't hold it anymore, and combined with the stress she just 'let go'. Rachael - he gave her 3cc's (which means NOTHING to me**) - or at least that's what he asked the vet tech in training to get ready for her. Sarah - she actually got two vaccinations today, I was concerned it might be too much. (I'll have to run to car to tell you what they were... I know one was a DHPPL booster) Poor baby still needs a real bath :o( - we just rinsed her off since she was already so unhappy... if she didn't still stink I wouldn't even worry about it. ** Just looked it up and did the math - apparantly 3cc's is about 1tsp which is what my chart says for a 7lb puppy ## lindsayt · 2008-08-22T02:27:28.000Z Shibas aren't a breed known for vaccine reactions, something benadryl should be given for as prophylaxis. However, many Shibas have Veterinary reactions and can be rough customers so most vets are gun shy and assume the dog will scream and bite. Perhaps the benadryl was given as a mild sedative? or to reduce the feeling of itching/burning at the injection site so poor baby wouldn't notice her poke? More common undesired side effect of benadryl is constipation and bladder retention. Your girl was probably terrified and was holding it and suddenly became very relaxed......My girl used to do that when she got scared coupled with her dislike of pooping anywhere in her territory and suddenly we had an overflow out in public places. More than 1 vaccine at a time hurts, also. It sounds like she got her distemper shot at least which she needs every year for first few years. Poor girl, hope she feels better. ## Kaddy · 2008-08-22T02:49:23.000Z Lindsay - most of that makes a lot of sense. He told us he was giving the benadryl because we told him her shoulders were sore from the injection last time... I don't think he was too shy about her, she came in licking his face and being all lovey. We actually got a complimented on how great her disposition was, and how we were 'doing all the right things' with her behavior wise**. Keiko was like 3 seconds away from purring I swear hehe :o) She was shaking a lot before we went into the exam room... something she usually doesn't do. Normally in new places she likes to be down on the ground exploring the place, but today she wanted to be in my arms with her head burrowed under my chin - cute, but kinda pathetic looking ;o) I'm very proud of her interactions with everyone and everything we've encountered, she really is a well behaved girl in public. ... at home... she has her evil side ;o) ** HUGE props and thanks to the people of this forum on helping with that - between your advice and our trainer, it's been pretty smooth sailing so far ## MommyofNiko · 2008-08-22T11:11:05.000Z YAY for me....umm...I mean us! --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)