hnhammond
New member
So, you all saw my very dramatic post about Matilda's absolutely horrific allergic reaction this weekend.
I finally got her in to see her regular vet and learned some very important info about this that I wanted to share!
She sees Dr. Kraemer, the EB specialist (grand pet care/) and he is just amazing.
The vet we saw at the emergency clinic was very young and no where near as experienced with bullies as he is (duh) so he clarified everything for me.
1) It was most definitely an insect sting or bite that caused her face to swell up like that. This is a very common reaction in dogs, but ESPECIALLY bullies. They have more skin to swell (hahaha). She also could have just stepped on it and gotten that reaction.
2) There is no allergy test for insects/stings/bites. It could happen to any dog and its safe to assume that any dog is allergic.
3) Her throat did not swell up, so although her reaction looked awful, he highly doubts it was life threatening. HUGE HUGE HUGE relief for me! He said if it happens again, I can give her Benadryl or the Temaril that I saved and take her to the vet, but it is not a really dangerous situation (although its scary to watch). He also said that if it was her throat swelling, it would have been immediate and obvious. Matilda won't die if she has another reaction like this, just be uncomfortable until we take action. YAY.
4) He doesn't know why the other vet told me her heart rate was dropping. He said that unless it was VERY low, it is totally insignificant to the reaction. ANOTHER huge relief that Matilda's heart rate dropping a bit wasn't life threatening either. (makes me wish they never told me that - I was CONVINCED she was dying)
So, there you have it. I overreacted a bit but her face was just so swollen! I had to share with all of you so that you don't panic if this happens to your baby! The biggest thing is to check the throat for swelling and pop them a Benadryl on the way to the vet!
Watch out for bugs and spiders and bees with your babies!
I am just so relieved, I kept worrying that a bee would sneak into the house while I was gone and Matilda would swell up and die and I wouldn't get there in time. I may be a bit morbid. hahaha but now I know that will not happen!
I finally got her in to see her regular vet and learned some very important info about this that I wanted to share!
She sees Dr. Kraemer, the EB specialist (grand pet care/) and he is just amazing.
The vet we saw at the emergency clinic was very young and no where near as experienced with bullies as he is (duh) so he clarified everything for me.
1) It was most definitely an insect sting or bite that caused her face to swell up like that. This is a very common reaction in dogs, but ESPECIALLY bullies. They have more skin to swell (hahaha). She also could have just stepped on it and gotten that reaction.
2) There is no allergy test for insects/stings/bites. It could happen to any dog and its safe to assume that any dog is allergic.
3) Her throat did not swell up, so although her reaction looked awful, he highly doubts it was life threatening. HUGE HUGE HUGE relief for me! He said if it happens again, I can give her Benadryl or the Temaril that I saved and take her to the vet, but it is not a really dangerous situation (although its scary to watch). He also said that if it was her throat swelling, it would have been immediate and obvious. Matilda won't die if she has another reaction like this, just be uncomfortable until we take action. YAY.
4) He doesn't know why the other vet told me her heart rate was dropping. He said that unless it was VERY low, it is totally insignificant to the reaction. ANOTHER huge relief that Matilda's heart rate dropping a bit wasn't life threatening either. (makes me wish they never told me that - I was CONVINCED she was dying)
So, there you have it. I overreacted a bit but her face was just so swollen! I had to share with all of you so that you don't panic if this happens to your baby! The biggest thing is to check the throat for swelling and pop them a Benadryl on the way to the vet!
Watch out for bugs and spiders and bees with your babies!
I am just so relieved, I kept worrying that a bee would sneak into the house while I was gone and Matilda would swell up and die and I wouldn't get there in time. I may be a bit morbid. hahaha but now I know that will not happen!
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