Swollen Face

lamanchagoatgrl · #1 01/26/07, 08:38 PM

Our 1 year old Mountain Kerr was fine when we let her out to go potty this morning, and fine when she came in. This evening she was asleep on the couch, and we got the treats down and called her, when she got up her whole face was swollen, one of her eyes almost swollen shut. It looks terrible but, she acts fine. She's eating, and bossing the other dogs as always, but her face looks pitiful. Could it be an allergic reaction to something?? I can't think of anything she's eaten or anything lately that's different, can't think of any changes at all. I'm worried, what do I do??

NY Jewel · #2 01/26/07, 08:53 PM

Sounds like an allergic reaction to me. I would try giving her a dose of childrens benydryl. Hope she gets better soon!

BusyBees2 · #3 01/26/07, 08:54 PM

Sounds like an allergy to something. I had a dog do that once, cost me a huge after hours emergency vet bill to be told that benedryl was a good solution. ( I think she had gotten stung by a bee that time) I can't help with dosage or anything though...others are sure to chime in with better advice.

lamanchagoatgrl · #4 01/26/07, 09:05 PM

Thank you. Does anyone else out there know of the dosage? It's been so long since we'd had to give a dog benedryl I don't even have the faintest idea of the amount to give.

Thanks again you guys!

BTW, it's cold here, below 30, so we don't have any bees this time of year or any other bugs for that matter. What else could she have gotten a reaction from?? We haven't done any changes in feed lately, or anything of that nature either...I'm stumped.

hrslvrtrailridr · #5 01/26/07, 09:47 PM

Benedryl will help with other allergic reactions also. Have no idea what to give a dog but I suppose you could take the dosage for a human and cut it down to 1/4 for the dog. Consider your dogs weight compared to a humans (adult or child).

GoldenMom · #6 01/26/07, 09:49 PM

Benadryl is approximately 1mg per pound. Typically I don't give more than 50mg even in big dogs. It also makes most dogs drowsy.

Not sure what the allergic response was to, but it certainly sounds allergic.

NY Jewel · #7 01/27/07, 12:04 AM

Dosage copied from another site: Stings: A bee sting means it’s time for some Benydryl (Diphenhydramine). Swelling and thickness can occur rapidly. For an allergic reaction it’s a good idea to give Benydryl fast. Give 1 mg per pound of body weight every 8–12 hours. Over the counter you can get Benydryl in 25mg tablets or capsules, and syrup containing 12.5 mg per teaspoon. Stings on the face can cause the face to swell, eyes to shut and can effect the respiratory system, so watch bites closely and contact your AC and vet.

I usually give my dogs 1 tsp. of the childrens liquid but i have small dogs. You can use the amount above and adjust to the weight of your girl. Let us know how she does. Could of been a spider bite maybe?? But the benadryl is good for any allergic reaction so i would dose her up and see how she does.

suburbanite · #8 01/27/07, 01:28 AM

Bees, wasps, spiders, scorpions. Nettles. Cactus spines. Tarantula hairs. Snorted-up grass seed/foxtails. Porcupine quills.

jill.costello · #9 01/27/07, 07:01 AM

Even a rat bite will cause the face to blow up sometimes...is the swelling hot to the touch? A small puncture from anything can fester fast....Try using a warm, wet, WHITE papertowel to slowley look for dried blood in the fur.....if you find a tiny wound, hot compress it for a good 20 minutes to see if it will drain... that's the best I can think of!!

lamanchagoatgrl · #10 01/27/07, 04:13 PM

We found a small cut, that does look infected. I never saw it before, but it looks like a dog bite. She plays rough sometimes with our other dogs, so the only thing I can think is maybe they got a little too rough. It is possible. Anyway, we've dosed her with Pen, and will continue it until the infection is gone. We should see some progress in the right direction by tomorrow, I'll let you guys know. Thanks again everyone, you guys are great.