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Did Diego get stung/bit? (pics included)

Posted : 9/21/2008 8:31:02 AM

Hello everyone- It look like Diego might have been stung or bit by something, and I wanted your advice. On walks he has his noise in the groung 75% of the time, so he could have easily been stung/bit. I first noticed the redness around his nose yesterday, and yesterday morning he killed some kind of small animal (mole?) that was in the ground because I heard it squeeling.. the first picture is what his nose usually looks like, the second and third are each side of his nose this morning. He didn't itch his nose last night, but this morning I caught him itching it with his paws and on the carpet. I started him on benadryl last night (1mg per pound of body weight) Is there anything else I can do? Does this require a trip to the vet? If it doesn't, how long should I wait if it doesn't improve until we visit the vet? Thank!!

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/21/2008 9:34:36 AM

If you think it's a good possibility of a sting increase the Benedryl to the 2mg/lb dose and give it every 6 hours (gives the body a chance to cope with the histamines in it). Keep that up at least all of today. If it doesn't diminish by tomorrow take him to the vet.

It may not have been a sting, but it surely could be a reaction to something he stuck his nose in. Usually a sting will swell, and a bite by a spider will swell. The mole would have left teethmarks (shouldn't be equally red on both sides like that usually) which is why I'm saying maybe something he rooted around in with his nose like a plant that irritated it. the Benedryl should help. Do you have any aloe plants? Aloe juice would calm that down.

DiegosMom

Posted : 9/21/2008 10:00:35 AM

I will increase the dosage of the Benedryl for the next dose, and give it every 6 hours instead of 8 hours. I don't have an aloe plant, but is there anything I can buy at the store to help him? He hasn't itched it since the dose of Benedryl this morning, but its still just as swollen/red. Thanks for your help!

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/21/2008 5:42:44 PM

Sorry been gone all day. You might try a bit of Neosporin "Pain" on it -- would reduce some of the inflammation and fight infection.