Fire Ants!

[richards6402]

KazzyK,

Just curious....what would you use the vaseline for?

You have an excellent First Aid kit. I am going to use yours as a guideline for what I need to get to make a kit for us.

Thanks for the info.

[KimInMD]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Yes, thank goodness for your mom....now, she may need to carry an Epi pen because if she is allregic to fire ants and has had this severe a reaction, I think they get worse and worse with each exposure.....she may even have a horrible reaction to wasps or bee stings also.......does she need to be carrying an Epi Pen now???

No, she has never carried an epi pen before, but I'm thinking maybe she should now. Thank you for telling me. We will definitely talk to the doctor about it. She went back to the doctor because she was swelling up again today, and more welts are coming out. Oh heavens, I will be forever grateful to that wonderful woman.

Judy- I read your story about the irresponsible owner, and just sat here shaking. The way you described it, I could just see that horrible scene in my mind's eye, like something out of a horror movie. I'm just beating myself up for not knowing about any of this.

Linda, the doctor mentioned again today about not breaking open the blisters because they get infected. They also put mom on an antibiotic today for that very reason. Thank you so much for the info.

Karan, your kit is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I'm going to get to work on one right away. The only thing I don't know about is a pet clot pack.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and wonderful wishes. I'll pass them all on to mom. Hugs to each of you.

[ilovejoel]

So glad your mom and Allie are okay and that your mom acted so fast
Shoot my mom would have been screaming for me to come get the ants off Joel, hehe

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by richards6402

KazzyK,

Just curious....what would you use the vaseline for?

You have an excellent First Aid kit. I am going to use yours as a guideline for what I need to get to make a kit for us.

Thanks for the info.

Vaseline has many uses:

1). It eases insertion of a rectal thermometer.

2). It's great at stopping crawly things in their tracks. A glob of vaseline on a flea, ant, spider, etc, will stop if moving quickly, so you then have time to comb the hair aside & pick it off.

3). It's a great lube for many things. Say if a dog's paw or head was stuck...like between a railing or something...you could slather it up with vaseline to help it slide out. Many people would use butter in such a situation, but vaseline is easier to transport in the heat/cold extremes of a car. Variable car temperature is also the reason I have things like benadryl pills in the car instead of the liquid. I do have liquid at home though.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

Vaseline has many uses:

1). It eases insertion of a rectal thermometer.

2). It's great at stopping crawly things in their tracks. A glob of vaseline on a flea, ant, spider, etc, will stop if moving quickly, so you then have time to comb the hair aside & pick it off.

3). It's a great lube for many things. Say if a dog's paw or head was stuck...like between a railing or something...you could slather it up with vaseline to help it slide out. Many people would use butter in such a situation, but vaseline is easier to transport in the heat/cold extremes of a car. Variable car temperature is also the reason I have things like benadryl pills in the car instead of the liquid. I do have liquid at home though.

Love it!

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by KimInMD

Karan, your kit is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I'm going to get to work on one right away. The only thing I don't know about is a pet clot pack.

You're welcome

The PetClot stops bleeding. It's made by the maker's of QuikClot. It's a pack, that you open & hold against a cut or abrasion and quickly stops bleeding.

[msyorktown]

Karan your kit is wonderful, thank you for posting this....I will use yours as a guide for when I put mine together.

OP I hope your brave mother gets well soon....I have been bitten by fire ants, they are nasty. It never occurred to me that these things can kill our precious babies. Thank you for sharing.

[My guy Charles]

I am sooooo happy to read and learn from this!! I just had ants ruin my electric drive gate.... They made a nest in the electric box and between the gate man, the electrician, the bug man AND $500 later I have learned to watch for fire ants! Now I have had my whole yard sprayed and will be more diligent patrolling my yard for ants!! I am going to Walgreens tomorrow to make Charlie an medical emergency kit!
How much Benadryl would I give to Charlie, if needed? He's 4.6 lbs.
In Texas fire ants can be anywhere.... So I need to be prepared!!
Thanks for all the good tips!! This is why I love all of you so much.... Your all so smart!! :-)

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by KimInMD

No, she has never carried an epi pen before, but I'm thinking maybe she should now. Thank you for telling me. We will definitely talk to the doctor about it. She went back to the doctor because she was swelling up again today, and more welts are coming out. Oh heavens, I will be forever grateful to that wonderful woman.

Judy- I read your story about the irresponsible owner, and just sat here shaking. The way you described it, I could just see that horrible scene in my mind's eye, like something out of a horror movie. I'm just beating myself up for not knowing about any of this.Linda, the doctor mentioned again today about not breaking open the blisters because they get infected. They also put mom on an antibiotic today for that very reason. Thank you so much for the info.

Karan, your kit is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I'm going to get to work on one right away. The only thing I don't know about is a pet clot pack.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and wonderful wishes. I'll pass them all on to mom. Hugs to each of you.

Dont beat yourself up because you were not familiar with just how aggressive and vicious these ants are. They are very aggressive and if their hill is threatened, they pour out of that nest in force, with nothing on their minds but stopping the "invader" dead in its tracks.....they can completely swarm over an entire little Yorkie is just a matter of seconds....and they wait until the object is completely covered before they start stinging in unison! I have heard they have killed newborn calves and little fawns that have laid down on a fire ant hill.....I am a hunter, so that is why I knew if they could kill a fawn or a calf, they could kill a small dog or puppy. You know now and you are taking steps to avoid ever being in this position again! Your poor momma.....I hope they are getting her symptoms under control.....I would go to the health food store and get some milk thistle for her...help clear the toxic ant serum from her system, help her liver manage the shock of the ant toxin. You would want to check with her doctor first.....he will probably tell you "it wont do any good"....we are looking for "it wont hurt her" sentence!

[lovespandp]

Oh my goodness! How horrible!! Your Mom is just wonderful. Praying that she feels better soon!!

[MandiesMom]

Kim, I am so sorry your mom is hurting and so happy she was quick acting!!

Fire ants are all over here in Alabama. I'm always on the lookout for new mounds in my yard.

KazzyK - great first aid kit!

[KimInMD]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Dont beat yourself up because you were not familiar with just how aggressive and vicious these ants are. They are very aggressive and if their hill is threatened, they pour out of that nest in force, with nothing on their minds but stopping the "invader" dead in its tracks.....they can completely swarm over an entire little Yorkie is just a matter of seconds....and they wait until the object is completely covered before they start stinging in unison! I have heard they have killed newborn calves and little fawns that have laid down on a fire ant hill.....I am a hunter, so that is why I knew if they could kill a fawn or a calf, they could kill a small dog or puppy. You know now and you are taking steps to avoid ever being in this position again! Your poor momma.....I hope they are getting her symptoms under control.....I would go to the health food store and get some milk thistle for her...help clear the toxic ant serum from her system, help her liver manage the shock of the ant toxin. You would want to check with her doctor first.....he will probably tell you "it wont do any good"....we are looking for "it wont hurt her" sentence!

Milk thistle? hmm, We'll call the doctor today. Thank you! You are incredibly smart about so many things, Judy. I so appreciate you and all the wonderful advice you give us daily.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Kim I am so very grateful that your Mom saved Allie from being bit. I am also very sorry that she did. I hopr she starts feeling better soon. I do have a alternative to the epi pen though. I am allergic to any stinging insect and a few other things but I know for me I would not be able to use an epi pen , so my Doctor recommended alavert. they have the ones that dissolve right away once you put it in your mouth. My doctor recommends putting it under the tongue.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by KimInMD

Milk thistle? hmm, We'll call the doctor today. Thank you! You are incredibly smart about so many things, Judy. I so appreciate you and all the wonderful advice you give us daily.

Amen to what Judy said about milk thistle for the liver. I've been reading about it since it was mentioned on the liver shunt/MVD material I've been researching lately for Tibbe. Ask her doc and see if he doesn't agree with Judy that it can help the liver. There has even been one thread on it here on YT I think.

[Buster Brown]

God Bless your Mom she is a true hero and sacrificed herself to protect Allie. I hope she is feeling better. How scary I really do need to carry benadryl.