Should I give my dog Benadryl for his itchy stitches?

Question

My dog just come home today from having a bottle cap taken out of his belly. The area around his stitches are red and I can tell they itch him. The vet put him on a pain pill and an anti-inflamatory. Will giving him Benadryl be too much ontop of the other meds?

Answer 1

I would definitely call the vet, first of all to make sure it won;t react with the medications, and second to get the proper dosage. Since I don't know how much your dog weighs or what other medications it's on, I can't really help you there. However, the anti-inflammatory should help with the itching as well. If the incision site gets too irritated, call the vet and see if you should come in. If it gets red or swollen, that's a sign of infection. If the dog won't leave the stitches alone, get an e-collar from your vet (also know as a lampshade;)). I hope your dog recovers quickly, it's amazing what kinds of things they'll swallow. we had a dog in not too long ago that swallowed a really, really big quilting pin!

Answer 2

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RE:
Should I give my dog Benadryl for his itchy stitches?
My dog just come home today from having a bottle cap taken out of his belly. The area around his stitches are red and I can tell they itch him. The vet put him on a pain pill and an anti-inflamatory. Will giving him Benadryl be too much ontop of the other meds?

Answer 3

I give one of my dogs benadryl ontop of anti-inflamatory , but with your dog being on pain meds too I wouldn't it might be to much for him. But if the itching seems to be bothering him, then call the vet and ask them if you can.

Answer 4

You should ask the vet. Normally Benadryl is fine to give dogs, but I'm not sure since he is already on meds if that would be a good idea.

Answer 5

Use an antibioctic cream like bacitrcin to help the sooth the skin, as well as helping in healing. You need to talk to your vet before giving benadryl with the meds he is on could be a bad mix.

Answer 6

They probably aren't itchy yet if he just got them today--the area is probably just sore and annoying to him, and he wants to get them out! They won't start to get itchy for probably another 7 to 10 days when the wound is almost healed.

You can ask your vet about whether it is okay to cold pack the area to help soothe it, but just make sure you keep the incision completely dry. Meaning if you use a cool, damp cloth, make sure you put it in a baggie or something first to shield the moisture. Again, though, check with your vet before you do this.

Answer 7

I know that dogs can be given Benadryl in small doses for allergic reactions and hives, but the redness is probably just swelling from the stitches. I doubt it will help. The stitches are going to bother him regardless, because they are foreign to him. Maybe best to wrap a towel or fabric around his belly so that he cant reach them. Or you could get one of those adorable cones to put around his head. But i dont think benadryl will help. :)

Answer 8

Actually, stitches don't itch until they're starting to heal. You really shouldn't give your dog anything else unless you check with your vet first.

Answer 9

There is usually at least one emergency vet number in your area. Get out the phone and call, even if they are closed one should have a recording about the emergency number. Go to the store and see about any flea powder etc in the pet department that may be able to help.

Answer 10

no of course not, there red and itchy but thats normal there stiches after all banadryl is an alergy medicine not a itch or pain releiver give him his perscribed pain meds they should be enough if not contact your vet : )

try to keep him from itchin i find somtimes a cool cloth helps stop itch.