Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treating dog allergic reactions with diphenhydramine alone
By Helgeson, Megan E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2021·Department of Emergency and Critical Care, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective review of diphenhydramine versus diphenhydramine plus glucocorticoid for treatment of uncomplicated allergic reaction in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with allergic reactions were treated with either diphenhydramine alone or diphenhydramine combined with a glucocorticoid (a type of steroid). The study found that both treatments worked similarly well, with no significant difference in how quickly the dogs improved or if they needed more help after going home. This suggests that diphenhydramine alone is effective for uncomplicated allergic reactions in dogs.
People also search for: dog allergic reaction treatment · diphenhydramine for dogs · glucocorticoid use in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of treatment of uncomplicated allergic reactions in dogs with diphenhydramine vs diphenhydramine plus glucocorticoid and to determine the incidence rate of uncomplicated allergic reactions DESIGN: Retrospective study between January 1, 2012 and August 15, 2018. SETTING: Privately owned, 24-hour emergency and specialty referral veterinary hospital. ANIMALS: Eight hundred and eighty cases of dogs treated for uncomplicated allergic reaction with diphenhydramine alone or in combination with a glucocorticoid. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-nine dogs were treated with diphenhydramine alone, and 581 were treated with diphenhydramine plus Dex SP. There was no difference between the 2 groups for response to initial therapy, need for additional veterinary intervention after discharge, or persistent signs at follow-up. The cumulative incidence of emergency department presentation for uncomplicated allergic reaction in this hospital was 1.2%. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in measured outcomes between dogs treated with diphenhydramine alone vs those treated with a glucocorticoid in addition to diphenhydramine in this population of dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33749168/