Dear Katharine:
 
Dr. Wiliams posted:
>>A better preventative would be Benadryl - as histamine is released
>>during anaphylaxis, and mediates most of the reaction including airway
>>constriction and blood vessel leakage, an antihistamine like Benadryl
>>(2 mg 10 minutes prior) is at least a logical step.
 
>2mg per what?  kg?  pound?
 
Actually, per ferret - Usually averages about 2mg/kg.  Benadryl has a very
high margin of safety so I prefer to err on the high side than on the low
side.  And the 10 minutes applies to IM injection.  (Remember, I say that
it works anecdotally - there are no real studies that have proven the
utility of the antihistamine, but it certainly doesn't hurt. )  I would
suggest 30 minutes prior at least if given orally.  Now I can't give you
a dose for your particular bottle unless you can give me a concentration.
Who makes it - perhaps we can find it in the PDR....
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3201]