O.K. so I drugged my dog

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by lexi43

hey sportschick: I can really understand how you feel i had hip surgery a few years ago and i also fractured my knee quite a few years back. Now i was diagnosed with osteo. I know the pain. We have 5 small dogs and they are all young and love to play. The only good thing is that they have each other to play with and don't demand too much attention from me. My friend lives with me and she is home most of the time to help me but on the days when she has to work in the city it's murder. I actually have to throw their food down because i can't bend. Also zach is a real lap dog and loves to be held. When my friend is home she holds him but i can't even bend down to pick him up. I never had to drug my dogs because most of time they play with each other but i can really understand you. You're doing what you can and don't let anybody tell you different.

thank you.

[sportschick]

O.K., so I am back after being banned for calling BUFFY512 a "bad name" for insulting me.

First off, I would like to thank the member who suggested the claw idea. It is working GREAT!!! I am able to pick up her ball and fling it down the hall way more accurately then if I was doing it with my hands!!

Second, I did get a cortisone shot in my hip, ahhhh, I thnk it made it worse, but I guess it can take up to 5 days for it to work.

Third, I had a wellness checkup with my vet this past week. I made the apt. as Beanie had been sneezing and itching constantly due to the pollen. He prescribed, WAIT FOR IT, Benadryl. Can you imagine??? He said that you already know that she will get sleepy since I told you to use it when I had to pull her nail out to keep her calm. I told him that I actually used it on her when my back hurt to keep her calm for a night and I felt terrible about it.

Anyway, I don't want to have to use the Benadryl to control her allergies every night so I am trying to wipe her down with baby wipes. I wipe her face, ears, paws, etc. I am hoping that helps to get the pollen off her.

[Magnus]

Welcome back?... I'm glad things are working out with a different method. I'm not sure about sneezing but.. is your puppy's skin dry? I've seen people suggest adding fish oil to the kibbles or whatever dog food you feed. Also, perhaps spritzing might help? I use Kalaya Emu Oil.

For your back... have you tried getting a massage? Or perhaps acupuncture? Doesn't work for everyone but for some, it works wonders.

I hope your back feels better soon.

Originally Posted by sportschick

O.K., so I am back after being banned for calling BUFFY512 a "bad name" for insulting me.

First off, I would like to thank the member who suggested the claw idea. It is working GREAT!!! I am able to pick up her ball and fling it down the hall way more accurately then if I was doing it with my hands!!

Second, I did get a cortisone shot in my hip, ahhhh, I thnk it made it worse, but I guess it can take up to 5 days for it to work.

Third, I had a wellness checkup with my vet this past week. I made the apt. as Beanie had been sneezing and itching constantly due to the pollen. He prescribed, WAIT FOR IT, Benadryl. Can you imagine??? He said that you already know that she will get sleepy since I told you to use it when I had to pull her nail out to keep her calm. I told him that I actually used it on her when my back hurt to keep her calm for a night and I felt terrible about it.

Anyway, I don't want to have to use the Benadryl to control her allergies every night so I am trying to wipe her down with baby wipes. I wipe her face, ears, paws, etc. I am hoping that helps to get the pollen off her.

[nanahas3]

Welcome back glad things are going better for you. Our Laddy has allergies and we have to give him benedryl every day. Doesn't seem to slow him down much at all. We also mix hydrocordizone cream with water and spray it on him to help with his itching.

[jeane]

hope you feel better// I have had one knee replacement and looking at another in the near future

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by Magnus

Welcome back?... I'm glad things are working out with a different method. I'm not sure about sneezing but.. is your puppy's skin dry? I've seen people suggest adding fish oil to the kibbles or whatever dog food you feed. Also, perhaps spritzing might help? I use Kalaya Emu Oil.

For your back... have you tried getting a massage? Or perhaps acupuncture? Doesn't work for everyone but for some, it works wonders.

I hope your back feels better soon.

I actually do mix the fish oil into her food every day. I will check into the Emu Oil to spritz her with. My question is though, does that make her coat greasy? I know Emu Oil is very good for people skin so I would imagine it would be good for doggie skin as well!

Acupuncture never worked for me for my back. Has worked for other ailments though. Yes, I actually am going to get a massage. There are tons of Groupons and Living Social type deals for massages, so I can get a couple for very short money. Massages have helped me in the past!

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by jeane

hope you feel better// I have had one knee replacement and looking at another in the near future

Oh you poor thing!! I would imagine that a knee replacement keeps you down for quite awhile, although I know that they do wonders for people.

That is all I could think about last week, when my hip was so bad, that I would need a freakin hip replacement!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by sportschick

Anyway, I don't want to have to use the Benadryl to control her allergies every night so I am trying to wipe her down with baby wipes. I wipe her face, ears, paws, etc. I am hoping that helps to get the pollen off her.

Why don't you want to use the Benadryl? It may really help her. Allergies are so miserable...I've been there w/ my dogs and know what you're going through. We have a Vet Derm we see, and they are utterly amazing. As far as the wipes...it may help, but it's kinda like putting a band aid on a burst artery. Pollens are microscopic, and they're EVERYwhere...so wipes can help only a tiny bit.

If her quality of life is affected, I'd really suggest treating her. Start w/ OTCs (like Ben./Zyrtec/Claritin) - you have to give them for 2 weeks solid before judging efficacy. Those usually don't work well for most allergy dogs, but you never know so they're worth a try. If those don't work, then you start thinking of Atopica or allergy testing if they allergies are mostly year round. If seasonal, then you consider Temaril P or steroids.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Why don't you want to use the Benadryl? It may really help her. Allergies are so miserable...I've been there w/ my dogs and know what you're going through. We have a Vet Derm we see, and they are utterly amazing. As far as the wipes...it may help, but it's kinda like putting a band aid on a burst artery. Pollens are microscopic, and they're EVERYwhere...so wipes can help only a tiny bit.

If her quality of life is affected, I'd really suggest treating her. Start w/ OTCs (like Ben./Zyrtec/Claritin) - you have to give them for 2 weeks solid before judging efficacy. Those usually don't work well for most allergy dogs, but you never know so they're worth a try. If those don't work, then you start thinking of Atopica or allergy testing if they allergies are mostly year round. If seasonal, then you consider Temaril P or steroids.

Yes, I know what you are saying. I just don't like to have to give her something every day, even though it is such a small amount and it actually does help her, although she conks out from it.

Thank you for actually validating what I had been saying earlier in this thread. I got killed here for giving Benadryl to her to make her a little sleepy one night because my hip and back hurt so much, I just couldn't walk her or play with her. (Hence the title to the thread) I mean there was one poster who absolutely eviscerated me, insinuating I shouldn't have a dog because I actually gave her Benadryl. I tried to tell people that vets prescribe it all the time for allergies and that my vet had told me to use it.

Anyway, I might have to go with the Benadryl for a couple of weeks. I just got home from being out with her and she is itching and itching and making sneezy noises so I know the pollen is getting to her even though I wiped her down and combed and combed her with the flea comb to try and get as much of it off as I can.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by sportschick

Yes, I know what you are saying. I just don't like to have to give her something every day, even though it is such a small amount and it actually does help her, although she conks out from it.

Thank you for actually validating what I had been saying earlier in this thread. I got killed here for giving Benadryl to her to make her a little sleepy one night because my hip and back hurt so much, I just couldn't walk her or play with her. (Hence the title to the thread) I mean there was one poster who absolutely eviscerated me, insinuating I shouldn't have a dog because I actually gave her Benadryl. I tried to tell people that vets prescribe it all the time for allergies and that my vet had told me to use it.

Anyway, I might have to go with the Benadryl for a couple of weeks. I just got home from being out with her and she is itching and itching and making sneezy noises so I know the pollen is getting to her even though I wiped her down and combed and combed her with the flea comb to try and get as much of it off as I can.

It's the drugging your dog for your relief and not the dog's that I think everyone was objecting to. OTC medications can have unintended consequences for anyone and to give a dog un-needed medication for your own convenience rather than training it or working out another solution is what is unethical. It's a line most people just won't cross with pets or children. There is nothing wrong with giving medication to an animal for its own medical needs, such as Benadryl for itching or allergies but doping for convenience sake when there are other workable solutions is not something a group of doglovers will ever condone.

[yakkwak]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

It's the drugging your dog for your relief and not the dog's that I think everyone was objecting to. OTC medications can have unintended consequences for anyone and to give a dog un-needed medication for your own convenience rather than training it or working out another solution is what is unethical. It's a line most people just won't cross with pets or children. There is nothing wrong with giving medication to an animal for its own medical needs, such as Benadryl for itching or allergies but doping for convenience sake when there are other workable solutions is not something a group of doglovers will ever condone.

Above, adding all caps and highlight to the operative word "YOUR" in the first sentence above. Hope you keep getting better.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

It's the drugging your dog for your relief and not the dog's that I think everyone was objecting to. OTC medications can have unintended consequences for anyone and to give a dog un-needed medication for your own convenience rather than training it or working out another solution is what is unethical. It's a line most people just won't cross with pets or children. There is nothing wrong with giving medication to an animal for its own medical needs, such as Benadryl for itching or allergies but doping for convenience sake when there are other workable solutions is not something a group of doglovers will ever condone.

O.K. so wait, I gave my dog Benadryl ONE night because my back hurt as opposed to my vet telling me to give it to her EVERY night with the same side affects and the same consequences is somehow different? SO you you CONDONE giving her Benadryl EVERY night, again with the same side affects, but don't condone giving it to her for ONE night. As I said, I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE IT TO HER EVERY NIGHT for her allergies. I did, however, with MUCH guilt, give it to her ONE night. I haven't given it to her for either situation because I DO NOT AGREE with giving myself OR my dog drugs on a daily basis.

Giving her the freakin Benadryl to calm her down had NOTHING to do with me training her. She IS trained. It had to do with what was best for ME so that I could put myself in the best position to continue to take care of HER. My back and hip need a break for ONE DAY. So I did what a lot of parents of human kids do, I gave her something to calm her down for that day. And YES, parents actually do give their kids things to calm them down. And Benadryl is one of the most benign things that parents have given kids.

I just cannot believe what I I am reading. I have gotten so much good info from you guys, but after this thread, I don't really know anymore. The ridiculousness of this is boggling my mind.

Does anyone else here see this??

[kimp5]

I hear you sportschick. I am the one who said I know of many parents of human kids who have done that on more than one occasion.
Have a kid who never sleeps and your at your wits end and are afraid you may be more of a detriment to your kids because you are sleep deprived. I know sleep deprivation (I had an 18 month old then had triplets)I didn't use the Benadryl because one sleeping didn't help and I couldn't give it to all four (besides the older one actually got wired on Benadryl the one time I gave it to her for actual allergies, yikes!) so what was the point, but trust me there were days when I was a walking zombie, I slept about 45 minutes in a 24 hour period so that if it was feesible I would have tried about anything. (many many people told me to try it, many in the medical field)
The same can be said of someone who is ill and are afraid that you may not be able to provide adequate care to your pup and are told by your dr. to give it a try. I can tell your a caring mom. I will say yorkietalkjilly is really kind and she has given me great advice. Some people are just really passionate about their pups and don't mean to be unkind. I find that emails or posts can come across differently than intended sometimes so I prefer the old fashioned voice to voice.
Go RED Sox!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by sportschick

O.K. so wait, I gave my dog Benadryl ONE night because my back hurt as opposed to my vet telling me to give it to her EVERY night with the same side affects and the same consequences is somehow different? SO you you CONDONE giving her Benadryl EVERY night, again with the same side affects, but don't condone giving it to her for ONE night. As I said, I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE IT TO HER EVERY NIGHT for her allergies. I did, however, with MUCH guilt, give it to her ONE night. I haven't given it to her for either situation because I DO NOT AGREE with giving myself OR my dog drugs on a daily basis.

Giving her the freakin Benadryl to calm her down had NOTHING to do with me training her. She IS trained. It had to do with what was best for ME so that I could put myself in the best position to continue to take care of HER. My back and hip need a break for ONE DAY. So I did what a lot of parents of human kids do, I gave her something to calm her down for that day. And YES, parents actually do give their kids things to calm them down. And Benadryl is one of the most benign things that parents have given kids.

I just cannot believe what I I am reading. I have gotten so much good info from you guys, but after this thread, I don't really know anymore. The ridiculousness of this is boggling my mind.

Does anyone else here see this??

Medication was created to treat illnesses and painful or irritating conditions and should only be used to treat a medical condition - otherwise giving medication to any creature is not to be condoned or is even considered ethical - especially for the giver's own convenience when other pet/child-friendly methods of handling a pet or child are available. As a person disabled by a bad back, I can tell you all about it. I cannot believe that people would drug or dope their pet or child - it is unthinkable to most parents of dogs or little humans.

It is unconscionable to give an animal a medication with side effects - drowsiness/sedation/loss of consciousness, lethargy, rapid heart rate, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, etc., just for your own personal convenience. If a vet prescribes the medication for a dog's own symptoms such as itching, that use of medication is ethical and benefits the actual dog himself - relieving him from symptoms. But to dose/drug a dog and gork his head out so that he passes out while you rest up is beyond the pale to many doglovers.

If you dog or child was inconvenient for any reason, such as you had missed a couple of night's sleep and needed a nap one evening, the neighbors who dislike dogs are coming to visit or you needed to study - would you drug the dog or child for that, too? Why even have a pet or child if you put them to sleep when they become inconvenient to you? That animal or child is looking to his owner/parent for love, his total care and well-being and dosing him when times are bad is not in the little one's own best interest ever. And any vet that agrees with you - and no doubt some will - should be drummed out of business. It is unthinkable to drug little creatures in our charge to the point of losing consciousness when they are inconvenient to our lives.

[dalady25]

Hi Sportschick,
I am really sorry to hear about all your back problems & I can certainly empathize. My husband has had bad back problems for years. I am so glad that you have found a solution for your sweet puppy.

The reason I'm writing is that if you don't know about the bad side effects of Cortizone shots, please read up on them. My husband & a brother in law that has bad hip problems have both had to resort to them from time to time. They are great for a short-term solution but so BAD for you in the long term.