Re: OT - Itchy cats antihistamine and other treatments

[Lernermichelle]

the side effects lists for both of these are kind of scary. It's odd. I almost always do side effects research before starting them on anything, but it never even occurred to me to research the benadryl.   She is on a very small dosage (I think it's equivalent to 1/6 of the smallest over the counter pill, twice a day), transdermally.  At this point I think I am more afraid to stop it than continue it, as it makes her so much calmer and happier. She gets really agitated when not on it. When Simon was alive, if I skipped a few doses, because I ran out or something, she would start hitting him on the head.  He was always happy when I refilled her prescription!   Michelle   In a message dated 7/5/2006 8:30:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Yes it does.  I haven't read anything about long term side effects, I was just researching to be sure.  Here's a link about chlor from that same article I posted earlier: Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine used to control itching in animals with allergies. It may also be used as a mild sedative. May see vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or inability to urinate when used at higher doses. Do NOT use products in which chlorpheniramine is combined with other drugs or compounds such as caffeine or acetaminophen. I've seen Diphenhydramine used in sleep aid tablets, so I'm sure it does make one drowsy.  Here's what they have to say about Diphenhydramine, (the ingredient in Benadryl): Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. It is used for the treatment of allergies and atopy, primarily to stop itching. (Atopy is an allergy to something that is inhaled, such as pollen or house dust; also called 'inhalant allergy.') It may also be used to control vomiting and motion sickness, as a mild sedative, and to treat muscle tremors due to certain toxins or medications. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences sleepiness, agitation, a rapid heart beat, depressed respiration, an inability to urinate, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite while being treated with diphenhydramine.