Update to post: Things that Fly and Sting!

The phrase "allergic reaction" means lots of different things. As I mentioned in my previous post about things that fly and sting, allergic reactions of bees and wasps are fairly common things to see on emergency. The patient above doesn't usually look like a shar pei. He's actually a pyrenees, and usually has a much thinner nose. His lips are swollen and his eyes are very puffy.

About half an hour after getting steroids and Benadryl, he looked much better, although still puffy. We may never know what happened, but this appearance is typical for allergic reactions to insects and vaccines. As the reaction becomes worse there will be hives, vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, respiratory distress, and death.

This IS an emergency and needs to be treated. First aid treatment begins with diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at about 1mg/lb. This means a 25lb dog gets a 25mg caplet. 12lb dog gets half a tablet or gets 1tsp of the liquid stuff.

If you're not sure - DON'T GIVE IT and call your doctor or local ER.

AMH

Things That Fly and Sting

'Tis the season for all the bees and wasps to start coming out. We're seeing them in droves here in Texas and soon the entire country will be warm enough.

Bees and wasps do the same things to our pets that they do to us. Most pets will experience a little bit of swelling, pain, and maybe even some fluid weeping from the site of the sting. Wasp stings can HURT like a son of a gun! Remember, wasps don't leave the stinger behind. Bees do.

First aid for bee stings are the same for our pets as they are for us. Remove the stinger, keep it clean. Cold compress can help. You can use products like Benadryl spray or cream to help with the swelling.

Dogs and cats can have severe adverse reactions. Facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, or vomiting/diarrhea can all happen with severe reactions. These are the exception, though. Most pets only suffer localized pain and swelling.

As a good rule of thumb, you can give Benadryl (diphenhydramine) at about 1mg/pound of weight as a first aid drug. Benadryl comes as a 25mg capsule or caplet and also as 12.5mg/tsp liquid. 25 pound dog gets one tablet. 6 pound dog gets 1/2 tsp. Pretty much any time you suspect an allergic reaction, you can give diphenhydramine. You should also call your primary care veterinarian or local veterinary emergency room if you suspect ANY kind of significant reaction outside of a little pain and swelling.

AMH