Zeke Scare

[ZdogZ]

Had to rush Zeke to the vet awhile ago. He got bit by something (probably a wasp) and his whole face was swollen. His right eye was swollen shut. This was a vet whom we hadn't ever seen before. She was really nice. We had given him 2 cc of Benadyl and she gave him 2 steroid shots. He already looks much better and is playing with Zia right now.

[corgimom]

Had to rush Zeke to the vet awhile ago. He got bit by something (probably a wasp) and his whole face was swollen. His right eye was swollen shut. This was a vet whom we hadn't ever seen before. She was really nice. We had given him 2 cc of Benadyl and she gave him 2 steroid shots. He already looks much better and is playing with Zia right now.



So glad to here that Zeke is okay Kristi; that is very scary to have happen. Sometimes those buggers are in the grass and the dog can stick his nose in there and get stung. Had that happen to my previous Corgi one summer and her muzzle swelled up and had to rush her to the vet. I just bought some Childrens benedryl tablets the other day to have on hand in case something like this happened to cody.

Give Zeke a hug from me.+WUBCLUB+

[Dillydoodle]

Poor zeke!! that must have been scarey, i know i would have been having a bit of a freakout! poor little guy. Glad he is feeling better already and i hope that he continues to feel better.

Emilie

[Jespah]

Poor Zeke and what a scare for you Kristi!! I think Tana had that happen to Rhys last year if I recall. You folks have those Benadryl strips in the States - they are good to have so that if the dog or person can't swallow a tablet you can get the meds in fast. I had someone from the US give me a pack when I was in Jamaica. I must remember to get some when in NY State this summer.

Hugs to Zeke from Rupe and Jem and Me!

[dcole]

Poor Zeke! That's really scary - so glad he's doing better!

[corgimom]

Poor Zeke and what a scare for you Kristi!! I think Tana had that happen to Rhys last year if I recall. You folks have those Benadryl strips in the States - they are good to have so that if the dog or person can't swallow a tablet you can get the meds in fast. I had someone from the US give me a pack when I was in Jamaica. I must remember to get some when in NY State this summer.

Hugs to Zeke from Rupe and Jem and Me!


Where I have I been; they have the dissolving Benedryl strips? Guess I have not paid enough attention to see those. I will have to pick those up, I wonder though if the animal would spit it out; Maybe if you plastered it to the roof of their mouth it would be gone before they had the chance to.

[ZdogZ]

I didn't know they had dissolving Benadryl strips either. Will get me some! I was scared to death when that happened with Zeke. My BIL, SIL, and I had gone into town to get some groceries (the dogs were here with MIL). My SIL noticed Zeke's face was swollen. I scooped him up while MIL gave him the Benadryl. Doug was out on the lake and we called him on the walkie-talkie and he came right in. Of course, we don't know any vets around here so my SIL went to the marina to find out the nearest best vet. It was about 30 minutes away. They kept Zeke for 1-1/2 hours to make sure he didn't have a reaction to the shots. Here are some pictures of him.

Sad Zeke
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q243/zipandzia/100_0115.jpg

Zeke laying on his "vent."
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q243/zipandzia/100_0121.jpg

Zeke and Zia
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q243/zipandzia/100_0119.jpg

Zeke's ear is standing up now! I think he must have gotten bit on that ear.

[ZdogZ]

I think Tana had that happen to Rhys last year if I recall.
I knew someone had gone through this not long ago, just couldn't remember who.

[sutulu]

I too was in the dark about the Benadryl strips. I keep a bottle of pdiatric bennedryl in the cupboard. Any time Tuck (lulu has not been stung yet, thank God) gets a sting I give him a dose for good measure.

My Vet says if there is any swelling in the face, get them to a Vet immediately.

Sure glad Zeke is doing better. It is very scary and one of those things you can't prevent.

[CorgiMum]

Poor little Zeke! So glad to hear thar he's better now, and you must have been terrified, I know that I would have been.

I must get some Benadryl, thanks for the heads up on that.

[MrsGrace]

SO SCARY!!! Glad to hear he is doing better!!

Now that you know he has a bad reaction, your vet should be able to get you a "kid size" epi pen to have for your dogs/cats. (depending on size) They may recommend the Benadryl instead, but it's worth asking!!! I had a Shepherd/Akita mix that was 100 lbs at least, so we had an adult epi for him, again, just in case.

I carry Epi pens for my family on me at all times. 1 in the car and 1 in the house, plus the Benadryl in liquid form.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WH4-45V7X2M-3X&_user=10&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2002&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=7956b06aaf35e9ca10b188e9b13e9c6a

It all goes by weight, so just as an "in case" thing.... but please (obviously) ask your vet first.

I know I will probably never need the EpiPen, but I am one of those "armed to the hilt" ladies. Carries the huge purse with everything in it's place, all but the kitchen sink, if I don't have it - I'll need it, people.

[MrsGrace]

Sorry, the link to the article was for kids, so here's the one for animals!!!

http://www.2ndchance.info/anaphylaxis.htm

I like this one as it explains the allergic reaction process in it's entirety, was written by a Vet and gives you a step-by-step (hard to read) what to do.

From the article, " When a pet has developed an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting or bite, I phone a prescription in to the owner’s pharmacy for an EpiPen®. This pen-shaped device is an auto-injector that administers epinephrine when tapped against the skin. I prescribe the junior size for cats and small dogs and the adult size for larger animals."

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

KRISTI: So glad that Zeke is OK, and I hope that he had a peaceful night.

[corgimom]

I carry Epi pens for my family on me at all times. 1 in the car and 1 in the house, plus the Benadryl in liquid form.


My sister in law has one of these - it has literally been a life saver for her. She has terrible allergies to several things, one being to latex - she had a terrible reaction after blowing up a balloon and had to use her EpiPen, but still after needed to go to the ER.


Great idea to suggest to carry them for pets also.

[Merlincorgi]

How scary! Glad to know Zeke is doing better though... he's such a cutie... real red color to him in the pictures too, pretty!

[Jespah]

I would speak to your vet about using an Epi pen on an animal - there could be potential life threatening consequences if used inappropriately. Liquid Benadry and a syrynge, or the strips are good things to carry - but again, dosage is crucial.

[corgimom]

You are absolutely right Deb, anyone considering this needs to talk with their vet. I didn't think you could get an EpiPen without a doctors permission anyway - but I may be wrong here.

[MrsGrace]

You are absolutely right Deb, anyone considering this needs to talk with their vet. I didn't think you could get an EpiPen without a doctors permission anyway - but I may be wrong here.

You have to get EpiPens via prescription ONLY. And absolutely, talk to your vet first. (oh shoot, hope I didn't forget to mention that originally) And Deb, they have pet safe doses, usually meant for toddlers and children.

But once you or your animal has a severe reaction to a sting or bite, the likelyhood of another more severe reaction goes up.

[sutulu]

My Vet told me if there is going to be a severe reaction, time is critical.

She told me if it is severe, benydril won't necessarily help because by the time it gets into the system, they could die. Get them to the Vet immediately.

I thought... that's great. The nearest Vet to me is a 20 minute drive.

An epi pen may be the way to go. I never thought of that but I will definately ask my vet.

[ZdogZ]

I will be informing my vet about Zeke's reaction and see what he has to say. He is a 30 minute drive from me and the vet here at the lake is 30 minutes away. I am also going to discuss the rattlesnake vaccination with my vet. My in-laws killed a rattlesnake the day that we arrived. We also have rattlesnakes at home.

[Penutsma]

I will be informing my vet about Zeke's reaction and see what he has to say. He is a 30 minute drive from me and the vet here at the lake is 30 minutes away. I am also going to discuss the rattlesnake vaccination with my vet. My in-laws killed a rattlesnake the day that we arrived. We also have rattlesnakes at home.


If you have rattlesnakes in your area - YES - be sure to either keep the vaccine on hand (has to be refrigerated) or make sure your vet has it available. We almost lost Sampson, the black lab, to snake bite about 4 years ago. His face was swollen (the snake struck him on the side of his nose) and his blood was not coagualating so we knew what had happened. After an emergency run to the local emergency vet (30 minutes away), we found out that he only had ONE dose left! It was over $500 by the time everything was done. The one dose was alone was $350. As you can see from the picture, we still have him, but it as a close call.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r150/penutsma/Sampson/Sampson2.jpg

[LaRositaMonita]

I have plenty of experience with Epi-Pens...my brother and close family friend both have severe peanut allergies, and as a teacher/former camp counselor and nature camp educator, I've taken on lots of kids with lots of medical problems. I've luckily NEVER had to actually use an Epi-Pen on anyone, but as part of my CPR certification I had to use a trainer Epi-Pen on myself and about ten other people (basically, it's the plastic casing without the medicine or the needle.)

As has been stated, it's not a cure for a severe allergic reaction. Basically, the medicine inside is synthetic adrenaline (epinephrine..might have gotten that spelling wrong), which is designed to counteract the reaction someone's body has to the histamines released when they're exposed to an allergen. If a reaction occurs, you should give both the Epi-pen (which needs to be injected directly into a muscle.. you should ask what to do with a dog, but on humans right in the middle of your thigh is the best place) and a dose of Benadryl or other anti-histamine. The combo of both of those is only designed to last up to an hour (preferably less) until the victim can receive emergency medical attention. However, since the Epi-Pen is very good at buying you time in an emergency, it is a HUGE life-saver.

[ZdogZ]

If you have rattlesnakes in your area - YES - be sure to either keep the vaccine on hand (has to be refrigerated) or make sure your vet has it available.

Our vet will give them a ratttlesnake vaccination to protect them if they get bit, we won't have to give it to them. They get a series of 2-3 shots over 2 months. If they get this vaccination and then get bit, they are protected.

[MVons]

FYI the homeopathy remedy for allergic reaction is Apis. I have a British friend who's mum got me the 1M dose to have just in case.

Merrie

[Fluffypants]

Poor little Zeke! He looks so sad in those pictures Kristi. Bet he got some extra lovins that night! Glad he is ok now!

[zephyr9779]

Glad to hear that Zeke is ok and all the other inputs on allergic reactions in dogs.

Also a bit jealous you guys get vets who prescribe Epi-pen over there. Fat hope of that from vets here in Singapore i think. Not as "unconventional". :(

In fact, I myself have a serious allergic reaction to prawns but the doctor I saw (who had to inject me with a dose of adrenalin and gave me steriods tablets) said I didn't need an Epipen. I was surprised cos if I didn't see him within the 20 mins of the reaction, he said I would've probably ended up in the hospital.

So, anyway, good for the dogs there. And i'm going to buy Benadryl in liquid form too...just in case. You never know right? :)

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Thanks everyone for pointing out the strips, I've ended up in the emergency room four times with severe allergic reactions, so found them this weekend and I'm keeping the strips in my purse, and some in the doggy bag that always goes out the door with them.