Another allergic reaction

[snowbunny]

At the end of our walk yesterday morning, Squidge suddenly became very itchy and distressed. Her face started to swell, her tummy and ears were bright red, and her eyes were bloodshot.
I gave her an antihistamine which didn’t seem to do a lot, so followed it up with some prednisone, and eventually (after about an hour), the itchiness and swelling subsided. She still had rather fat jowls, poor little thing, and it wasn’t until this morning that she eventually looked her normal pretty self.
At the worst of it, even her little bum hole was bright red and swollen!

It was a totally different route to when this has happened before, and we weren’t in the woods. Willow, who has also reacted in the past, was unaffected.

I wish I knew what it was that caused it. It only happens in early spring, so it’s not a bee sting.

 

[Cath]

Oh I am sorry about little Squidge poor girl

 

[SteffiS]

Sound horrible for her, especially with a sore bum hole as well .

 

[Loraseal]

That sounds like a very fast and bad reaction. Is it may be a certain type of grass that triggers it?
Poor Squidge.
X

 

[Cath]

Have any farmers been spraying the area @snowbunny

 

[HAH]

Oh lawks, how upsetting @snowbunny - and poor little puffball Squidge, even her bottom?!
It must be maddening trying to work out the culprit as the options must be huge. I’m guessing local dog forums don’t shed any light? Does the all-overness of the reaction give any clues? I.e maybe less likely to be a direct contact reaction, maybe more airborne or ??? Huge sympathy.

 

[Naya]

Poor girl. So strange how it happens and there’s no obv reason

 

[Stacia]

Poor little Squidge, have you phoned vet to see if any other dogs in the area have been similarly affected?

 

[Candy]

Oh poor, poor Squidge! It sounds like quite a severe reaction, even her poor little bottom! Hope she's soon back to normal.

 

[Shaz82]

Poor girl, she must have been so uncomfortable.

 

[Oberon]

Oh how awful, poor girl

 

[Granca]

Poor Squidge.

 

[Charlie]

How awful for little Squidge. Maybe some plant she's brushed against. Could be a million things. Wishing her a speedy recovery. xx

 

[Joy]

Poor girl - and very frustrating for you not to know the cause.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Thank goodness you are a walking pharmacy, sounds like it could have been dangerous if you weren't so prepared!

 

[Jacqui-S]

That sounds nasty, poor girl.
And a worry for you .

 

[snowbunny]

She and Willow have had this happen a couple of times each in the past. Never on the same day. Yep, there are farmers spraying but the dogs are all being walked together and since I know they’re both sensitive, I don’t think it’s likely to be anything as widespread as crop spraying, or I’d expect both of them to be affected.
The vet isn’t any help, just there are plenty of triggers around in the spring. Other local dog walkers report similar issues over the years, but no answers.

 

[Selina27]

Poor wee girl xx

 

[Boogie]

Poor Squidge. xx

 

[MellowYellow]

Oh that's awful, I'm so sorry! Poor Squidge. What a worry, not knowing what causes it - especially since this sounds like quite a serious reaction.