Please be prepared this summer
 

Please have Benadryl on hand, know when you should use it, how much to give, and know the location of the nearest ER.

I never thought too much about insect reactions and my pups..until last week. We were outside and the kids were sniffing. Out of nowhere, Ellie threw up then went limp. Her gums were very white. She could not stand or even sit on her own. Her back legs would splay when laying down. She had diarrhea involuntarily. I can usually feel her heartbeat with my hand, but could not find one. Couldn't get a femoral pulse either. Picked it up with a steth. It was pretty faint. This is all happening while we are trying to get her to the nearest vet. I was on the phone with her vet so she could talk me through it. We both thought it was very likely she was dying. Started coming out of it on her own. Because of the changes we are seeing in her bloodwork, we are almost certain it eas a reaction to...something. She never cried.

After it happened, I remembered it looked almost exactly like her lepto vaccine reaction. She is very sensitive apparentlu.

Ellie is just fine now. New policy here to keep an eye on her for fifteen minutes after we go outside.

Please enjoy the nice weather with your pups but be careful.

I am so glad Ellie is alright. That had to have been so scarey for you. We have a lot of yellow jackets, wasps and bees in our yard and, of course, Betty Boop wants to chase every one of them. So far, so good, though. I'm going around the eaves of the house today and spraying. These pests are already starting to build their nests. That's a good rule of thumb you are implementing. This time of year we all need to be diligent about keeping an eye on our little ones. Thanks for posting.

Crystal, I'm so sorry! That had to be the scariest moment. I'm glad she is doing better. Good advice, too.

Wow...how terrifying. So very thankful Ellie is ok, what a scare.

Thanks so much Crystal for the reminder, just checked my cabinet and Benie is oh hand:thumbup:

Great post. I lost my Lexi very fast to what I believe was a allergy reaction. Everyone please be very careful. It happens way to fast :(

Good reminder for everyone, wether your dogs have allergies or not...things can happen and change very quickly!

Just curious are you a vet or work in the field?

OMGosh! I'd have been freaking out! So glad she pulled through... tough little cookie you have there!

I'll bet you were near heart failure. What do you think happened to her? Would you have automatically dispensed Benadryl had you had it ready? Would that drug hurt a dog if it were having a heart attack or stroke or something not "reaction"-related?

I'm sure glad she came out of it but wonder what in the world caused this. They sure can go south in a hurry. I know you will be watching that little stinker closely. (I always call them "stinkers" when they scare us so!)

OMG so scary:eek: I am SO glad that your baby is okay:love: I'm glad that you posted this and will definitely take your advice and be prepared:) Thank you!!!

Hugs to you and Ellie:love:

Nope.:)
I am just a pre vet. i do spend a good dealof time in veterinary hospitals.

I'm thinking it would come in handy moreso for the classic swelling reactions. As always, check with your vet. Great question about it making other problems worse if it is not a reaction. I was goingto ask my vet about that.

One of her first concerns was thatit was cardiac tamponade. Thankfully it wasn't. Another possibility was a parasympathetic, vasovagal response to vomiting..because she came out of it on her own. But her ALT came back very high after it happened and then came back down within a few days. reaction is most likely. And because it looked almost identical to the lepto reaction, it makes the most sense. It happened in the grass too.. And even if she was stung I doubt she would cry.

I had Benadryl on hand, but with this type of reaction they really can't swallow. They stare straight ahead and don't even acknowledge their name. She now has injectable Benadryl with her at all times...only because she reacts so severely and very quickly...

That was one of first things my dad told me to when we got Dexter.
His dog swallowed a bee one summer and had to have all his back teeth removed after being stung so badly in his mouth.

I watch Dexter with bees and bugs all the time after that story!

Could you list those classic reactions so we'll know specifically what to look for to differentiate that from something else going on? I know time can be critical during a bad reaction but not sure exactly what happens. Does the BP go low, body parts start to balloon up, dog get lethargic - what happens, if you would. It would help.

Ohhh how scarey, Crystal!

Thank you for posting... i need to make sure I have Benadryl when I am out and about with Riley!!

Dear Lord i would have been in complete heart failure!! How scary...Thanks for posting Crystal, I willl definatley be keeping Benadryl on hand.

Allergic Reaction - Insect - Page 1

This looks good. facial sweling and then airway closure would be something to watch for. But of course only your vet can tell you in what circumstances to give the drug.. It just buys a little time until pup. is seen. Of course if. it takes two minutes to give the drug and two minutes to get to the ER, obviously go to the ER. Our ER is like twnety minutes away in minimal traffic.

Also, a lot of the liquid diphenhydramine. ontains alcohol. I'd get a brand that doesn't.

Always such a good reminder! :)

I keep benadryl in my "Dog Kit", bc you just never know. It's such a benign little med, but it can truly save a life.

Poor little Ellie-Sounds like a horrible experience! Glad you we were on top of it and she is safe!! :D

Oh my gosh, poor Ellie, and thank goodness she's alright now. I can't imagine how stressful this was for you.

Thanks for the reminder to everyone too. Our Maggie got stung by a bee last winter when we were in California and I rushed her right to the vet for treatment. After that I've always kept children's Benedryl on hand for the girls.

And what brand do you suggest?

how scary! i'm so glad that ellie is ok now. thank you for the very important reminder!

wow... I know your heat beat could be found!!! I do admire your reactions to save her

And... thank you for the heads up and the advice

We always have benedryl (well the target off brand) on hand. But I'm unsure how much to give Gizmo if he should ever need it. I should probably contact my vet and ask, especially since he'll be traveling with us alot this summer.

Thanks Crystal!:thumbup::)

Riley is between 8 & 9 pounds and his vet said he could have 1/2 a tablet 2-times a day... They explained what it is per pound, but I can't remember.

Right nowh I ave the pills so it doesn't matter. Probably should get some liquid for Ry. We just end up reading bottles everytime and choosing the pne without alcohol as a personal preference.

Just an update.

Ellie's ALT has returned to normal.
And very recently another doctor at our vet office saw the same thing with another pup. The liver enzyme even went up. It was after being outside. So we're not yet sure if there is something really odd in the area causing a problem or if it's just a coincidence. I would just be careful MI people.

Yikes,
Thanks for the warning. That would be the last thing that I would need.