Knee Injury & Benadryl

[Tessa]

Our 4 year old Tessa started limping friday night so we took her to the vet Saturday morning. Vet said it's either a knee sprain or partial tear, and said no exercise for 2 weeks, then a follow up appointment to check progress. She prescribed pain medication, and said to give 75 mg of Benadryl twice a day to keep her tired because of her age and activity level. She also said that if that didn't work, to come back for a Valium prescription.

I've read through the threads on here but haven't heard anything about giving Benadryl or Valium during the restricted exercise period after a knee injury. Is this normal/ok? The vet assured me that it is a safe dose, and the only side affect is drowsiness. Tessa seems to be doing great on the Benadryl. We are with her 24/7, carry her up and down the stairs, and her limp seems to be much better already. She wakes up to eat, drink, potty and have a kong or bone, then back to sleep.

I guess I am looking for reassurance that I am not hurting her by giving this much Benadryl.

Thanks!

 

[jskeith]

Slight rupture of the ACL

The benadryl dosage seems appropriate and is not a bad idea to keep a boxer on light duty for a few weeks. I give romeo benadryl in late summer to help with his allergies. If it turns out that it is a slight rupture of the ACL like what we have I opted not to do the surgery I can't imagine going through the recovery period with a boxer.

Please be cautious about what the Vet prescribes for pain. Stay away from Previcox, Romeo takes approx 7mg/lb of body weight of Bayer aspirin in his evening meal as an NSAID and does very well.

Also, it is always good to have atleast two Veterinarian opinions especially if you live in the country.

 

[Gatorblu]

How much does Tessa weigh? Benedryl is usually dosed at 1mg/lb. So if Tessa weighs around 75lbs you're at the right dosage. Are you sure Tessa would be too active without the benedryl? I personally hate giving my dogs drugs if I can avoid it. As for it effecting your by using it for a few weeks, I haven't heard of any side effects attributed to it. I had a highly allergic boxer who was on varing amounts of benedryl for years. I have given my dogs beneryl for long car rides to make them a bit drowsy so they will sleep and not get carsick.

 

[Tessa]

Thank you for the replies. Tessa is just under 60 pounds, and the vet did say it was higher than the normal dose. She is very active, so the Benadryl is definitely helping. The pain medicine is deramaxx and she is getting 37.5 mg once a day (a 75 mg broken in half).

Her limp seems to be almost gone which is going to make not exercising hard!! Right after she gets up she walks a little funny for a few steps, but then is fine. Tucker wants to play with her so bad it is sad. We have taken him to petco and the park just to keep him away from her.

Monday they head to doggie day care for the week. Thank god we have the best place to go! They are all ready for Tessa and will be spending time laying on the couch with her, carrying her around, and laying with her on the grass outside while she is leashed. Tucker goes in another area so he can go crazy. They have a lot of experience with torn acls and other injuries and will take great care of her while we are at work. Can't wait for the follow up appointment and I cross my fingers for positive results!!

 

[chrystel]

Just for info.. Snatch takes benadryl for his allergies, usually between april and october.. and i don't think that tires him a bit! (and he has the max dosage...)