Dog Community

Need help with Willow

Posted : 5/23/2007 7:40:13 PM

Hi everyone. I'm upset and hoping people will see this and respond.

Earlier today I took Willow to see the vet because she was pacing and itchy and her eyes lids were swollen a little. Also, she was vomiting but I'm not quite sure that was related.

Anyway, the vet checked her out. Her physical exam as far as her belly was fine. She is on antibiotics for a UTI so we thought possibly that could be causing the nausea or maybe not.

For the itching she gave her a Benedryl shot and some ointment for the eyes. She said to give her another 50mg of Benedryl tonight too.

Well, tonight she's worse. She's still pacing and scratching. Her skin especially underneath and on the legs is all pink/red and warm. She can't keep still at all. And, on and off she's panting.

I'm not sure if I should just give her the Benedryl. Or, take her to the ER?? Is this an emergency?? I don't want her to suffer but I also don't want go all the way to the ER and tie them up for something that's not really an emergency.

She did eat and hold down her food tonight. So, I think that GI issue might have just been something else.

What should I do? What would you guys do if this was your dog?

Thanks.
Lori

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 5/23/2007 7:45:37 PM

From your description it sounds like somewhat of a severe allergic reaction to something. If it were one of my dogs, I would call the ER Vet or just bring them in.

glenmar

Posted : 5/23/2007 7:53:53 PM

Agreed. Isn't Willow about 50 lbs anyhow? That's only 1 mg of benedryl per pound of body weight and with an allergic reaction it NEEDS to be 2 mg per pound of weight. You could TRY a bigger dose and give that maybe an hour to do something, but I'd not mess around with this.

TAOofGoldyShep

Posted : 5/23/2007 7:58:47 PM

I was just thinking, too, that she may be having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic (?). How long has she been on it? From personal experience, I have reacted similarly to an antibiotic that I was allergic to.

willowchow

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:02:10 PM

Yup, she is about 50 lbs. But, I'm afraid to give her more than the 50mg because I'm not sure how much she had injected today. Frankly, I'm afraid to give it to her period at this point.

She's just sitting, panting slightly and I can tell she's really uncomfortable.

I'm going to give the Benedryl and I'm thinking about calling the ER. But, I feel stupid, she just saw the vet this morning.

Ugh. . . .Willow.

glenmar

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:07:43 PM

Callie would know for certain, but I'm pretty sure that benedryl is out of their systems in 4 hours max. Whatever the vet gave her earlier is long gone.

Its possible that she could be allergic to the antibiotic. I was halfway through a 10 day course of ceclor when my body decided it didn't LIKE ceclor and I ended up in respiratory distress. So it doesn't HAVE to be something new to cause a problem.

Liesje

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:13:19 PM

Interestingly, the exact same symptoms you describe (itching, redness, hives, swelling) happen to my mom when she takes certain antibiotics, so I'm on the "allergic reaction" bandwagon, if dog's are similar enough to humans. Poor thing! I hope you get it cleared up soon.

willowchow

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:13:38 PM

I haven't given her the antibiotic at all today. Do you think it could still be it??
I'm so confused. I know I was told to give the Benedryl but something in me is saying not too. I'm afraid because of the way she's pacing and panting.

And, she keeps going to her water bowl. What does that have to do with anything?

If I call the ER they aren't going to give me any advice over the phone they are just going to say to go in.

Her own vet said if she's still like this she's going to give her a steriod tomorrow but she was trying to hold off because of the UTI. Which I'm sure is going to get worse again now because I skipped the meds because of the stomach issue. I didn't feed her until late today so her tummy would settle a bit.

willowchow

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:15:02 PM

She's just standing or sitting scratching with her back legs and slightly panting.

Truley

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:16:43 PM

I would call the vet, or take her in.

I wanted to ask if there was a chance she was exposed to something you didn't see? When Babe was younger she had a huge itchy, scratchy, breathing and what seem to be a allergic reaction. Turns out we had walked her in an area where someone had put some lamp kerosene(sp). So is there a possiblity that where you lived sprayed for bugs or did some yard spraying? If it is on her legs and she is using her face to wipe it would effect the eyes.

Hope everything goes well.

Tru

stardog85

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:18:03 PM

If it were me, I'd call the ER vet and get their opinion about whether to bring her in - and knowing how much we all love our dogs I doubt you'll sleep much tonight if you don't at least talk to a vet tonight, so it's a win-win.

I know when I was allergic (or at least sensitive) to a certain antibiotic, it took about 2 or 3 days to get back to normal w/o it in my system every day, but that was digestive distress, not inflammation/respiratory stuff.

The water bowl issue could be due to nausea - Maggie drank a ton of water when she ate too many dog treats froma bag she counter surfed and thats what the vet said was going on when I called them to see if she needed to be brought in.

willowchow

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:19:14 PM

We hiked yesterday on a well established trail that we've done quite a few times before so anything is possible. But, that was yesterday morning and this didn't start until this morning. So, not sure where this all came from.

rexandbaby

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:36:36 PM

It could be a sting of some sort, but I would be calling or asking questions if it was my dog!

Truley

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:38:44 PM

Since her hair is so long and dense (going on avatar), you might try a bath to see if that helps relieve the stress. I don't have any recipes outside of grinding oatmeal very fine and adding to the water. Maybe someone else has a recipe for something along this line? That is if she is into baths that is.

It is possible the length of her hair kept her from getting what ever it is on her skin right away. Lord anything is possible. Keep us posted.

Tru

badrap

Posted : 5/23/2007 8:41:00 PM

i have been dosing Tek with benedryl for something completely different per callie's instructions, and i can tell you one thing: benedryl doesn't stay in the system long and in willow's case she may need a lot right now. don't be afraid to give it to her. UNLESS you've never given her benedryl before, and then i would worry. but if you've used it before, don't be afraid to dose her up. i was nervous about giving tek that much, too, but callie assured me it was fine and i trust her.

benedryl takes some time to work, as well, so i would give it to her. really, i think it might be worse NOT to give it to her.

also, according to my instructions from callie, 50 mgs is not enough. double it. 2 mgs per pound. that may be why you haven't seen any improvement at all.

going to the water bowl is surely related to the benedryl- all allergy meds are very drying.

good luck! poor little willow! she's not having trouble breathing is she?