analphylactic shock
 

http://www.cooldoghalloffame.com/dog...-reactions/678

I haven't posted in a long time but after what happened to Shelby this week, I wanted to warn all of you. I had heard of this before, so I knew what was happening. Fortunately, I have a Vet Hospital 2 min. from my house. It happened so fast (10 min.) there wasn't time for Benedryl. I didn't even have time to find the sting! I just saw a bee walking on the fur of her back hip while we were on a walk. She was acting strange so I took her home. I put her on the counter to check things out and within minutes I was losing her. She stopped breathing and barely had a heartbeat.

I have to find a way to carry a bee sting kit for a little dog. EpiPens are for kids over 20 lbs. If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know. I won't even let her outside unless I know that Vet is open! (One more reason I am glad she is potty pad trained)

I hope this never happens to any of you, but it is good to know about just in case.

Shelby is 2 1/2, 4.5 lbs. and hasn't been sick a day in her life.

How frightening! I've heard of other cases of dogs almost dying from a bee sting. Good thing you knew what was happening and were able to get her to the vet so quickly!

As far as Epinephrine goes, ask your vet to prescribe it in a little vial instead of an Epi Pen. I give myself my allergy shots and that's what I have here. Mine is a 1 mg/mL. vial. You would have to only draw what your vet prescribes for her with a syringe, then inject her. It's very easy to do and less painful than an Epi Pen.

How scary!!! Thanks for the warning.

Thank you! Her vet has offered to premeasure a shot for her but our concerns are this has to be kept dark and refrigerated? Do you keep it in an ice chest when you travel? What kind of container to keep it out of light? I REALLY appreciate any insight. This is sort of a life changing experience since Shelby goes everywhere with us and we love (loved?) hiking :(

Oh wow! Thanks for the warning. :eek: I am glad she's okay!!

Lady is a diabetic, so I know all about this stuff! :D

They make really nice carrying cases for insulin and syringes with little ice packs for travelling. Most pharmacies should have them in with their diabetic supplies.

Here's a nice one that would work for you:

http://hocks.com/hocks_com_on_line_p...y/4093365.html

This is very scary! I have 2 DS (12 & 9) that have life-threatening food allergies. So, I have experienced what you are taking about. The only difference... is it was my son! I did not know that a dog could have life threatening allergies.

Both my boys carry epi pens, two each plus benadryl. We call them their "emergency kits". They are never allowed to leave home without them!!If we are going to be away from the house for a long time, on a hot day. I just put them in a small lunch box with an ice pack. I also keep one in my purse and one in my car at all times, as an extras.

It is very scary to live with!! Your best defense is to always be prepared. Educate yourself on what to watch for in a reaction. You can find great information online about what a reaction looks like. I have this printed up and placed it with my boys "emergency kits". I also give it out to every person that deals with my boys.

Don't let the fear of your dog having a reaction take over your life! It is manageable. When my boys were first dignoised with food allergies...I was a wreck. I could not see how we would get through life, living with this. Now 11years later, we have learned to take life on day at a time and deal with things as they come.

Lots of hugs!!

I'm really sorry this has happened to you, and hope she'll be ok.

That looks perfect! Thank you so much. I will get one and have her vet make a kit for me.

[/QUOTE]
Don't let the fear of your dog having a reaction take over your life! It is manageable. When my boys were first dignoised with food allergies...I was a wreck. I could not see how we would get through life, living with this. Now 11years later, we have learned to take life on day at a time and deal with things as they come.

Lots of hugs!![/QUOTE]

I know, I am lucky it wasn't one of my boys. My guys are all grown up now so Shelby means more to me than a dog probably should?

I hope someday I can get the memory of that morning out of my mind. I really thought she was already dead. She is doing well now. We will have bloodwork done in a couple weeks to be sure there isn't any permanent damage.

thanks for your response.

Thanks for the warning. And no, she probably does not mean more to you than she should. My son is also all grown up and let me tell you, if something really bad had to happen to my Yorkies, I KNOW I would note cope.:eek:

My heart goes out to you! This is so scary!
My first baby Meah died due to an anaphlactic shock, I too did not have a epi pen or anything to reverse the shock. We raced to the ER Vet and they were able to revive her only to lose her later that evening! It was terrible I feel for you!

awwww poor little sweety, sometimes dont you think they should stay in a plaastic bubble so nothing can harm them.lol. i hope you get this a figured out, here to if its really hot i keep mine in a cooler and carry benadryl in the epi-pen kit. i dont know if you can do both on the dogs though.

Wow, that's good to know that they have things like this...it's a good thing to have around

Wow
 

I am so sorry Shelby (and you) went through this! Thank you for sharing, so the rest of us can be better informed/prepared!!

Very useful thread :thumbup:

I know how scary this can be and I agree that is manageable for dog or human , you just gotta act quick and know what to do.
My 13 yr old daughter has these awful reactions to fruits (most of them) plus pollen,grass ,some trees so if she ate a fruit and excersice outside it will trigger the reaction, we were having a hard time controlling it to prevent this reactions until the Dr. put her on Xolair monthly shots.

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful posts. Shelby is doing well, wish I could say the same for me. We went for a "walk" this morning. She was in the front pack with a hooded sweatshirt on. Her little paws never got to touch the ground. I am just too scared.

My friend suggested one of those plastic hamster balls :eek:

I am definitely going to get her some shoes! Maybe have a beekeeper suit made?

See how my mind works all night?

I am so sorry to hear about your Meah. It is horrible how fast this happens.

I know how lucky we are to have a Vet Hospital so close. He let me see her after he revived her, then she was there all day on IV. It took her a couple of days to fully recover and we still have to take her in for follow up blood work to be sure none of her organs were affected.

It's just awful that one tiny bee could do such damage.

Shelby update
 

Shelby had her check up and bloodwork done this week and she is 100% okay. yay. I have gotten brave enough to take her for walks again but I don't let her walk on the grass very much, just the sidewalk so I can see any bees. I also keep Benedryl with me at all times AND a dispenser so I can give it to her immediately if needed.

Her vet also made up an emergency kit for me that she hopes I never have to use. Very scary learning how to give her a shot of epinephrine IN HER MUSCLE if I can't get her to the vet!!! The vet said the only reason she is giving me this is because my little girl will die anyway if I don't have the option. Not a great feeling but we will do the best we can.

Get some liquid benedryl, a dispenser and find out the dose your dog needs. Keep it where you can get to it in a hurry. If you know your dog is stung, don't sit and watch it for symptoms...or come on Yorkietalk and ask. Go sit in the vet office or in the parking lot to watch :) You can't believe how fast they can die if they are allergic.

Thanks again everyone.

My heart goes out to you. I worked with a lady whose son had severe peanut allergies. The child had epipens and benedryl either on his person or in the possession of his teachers/caretakers at all times. The thing is, don't ever hesitate to give the shot -- the few seconds you buy to get Shelby to the vet can save her life.

The mother was given "lessons" on how to use the epipen and even practiced on an orange -- she did in fact have to use one, and she was greatful for having had some practice.

I wonder if there is such a thing as an epipen for small dogs -- seems like there would be :)

Her vet talked to specialists and I did an online search, no epipen for little dogs. They make them "junior size" for kids that work for a bigger dog, but too large of a dose for Yorkies. Her vet put a Shelby size dose in a regular shot which I have to keep dark and refrigerated. (epipens are much easier to carry) This is all a hastle and incredibly frightening but I will do it if I have to.

Good idea about the orange. The vet gave me a couple of empty injections so I will fill them with water and practice with the orange.

The worst part is in an emergency (while I am freeked and crying and she is dying) I will have to inject this into the muscle that runs next to the spine, located between the hips and ribs. Can you imagine?:eek:

I am extremely thankful that she is okay, but our life has definitely changed.

take care and thanks for your thoughts.

It is good that you were able to get the medication. This way you will be prepared incase of an emergency!

I have never had to use an epi-pen on my boys...thank goodness. But, I know that I am as ready as I can be, if something was to happen. This gives me piece of mind. Otherwise I would walk around, a nervious wreck!

Enjoy your walks...

Oh my goodness!! I never knew about this.. In the summer Riddick always tries to nip at them when they flew by.. I won't let him do that anymore!! That is so scary!! I would die inside if I ever lost one of my babies!!
Big Hugs!!