Or something, maybe some suggestions...she had a reaction to a vaccine she had today and now her face is all swolen. It's a rare but more serious effect. We can't take her to the vet because it's nighttime and it's closed. We called the vet and we bought her the medicine he told us to give her, but she still has the whole night ahead of her. She may get better, or worse, and we would have to drive her to an emergency animal hospital far from here. Do you think she will be okay? Has your pet ever had a reaction to a vaccine before?
2006-11-04 14:50:14 · 21 answers · asked by Snapple Monkey 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It sounds like a reaction to the leptospirosis vaccination, my dogs experience this as well. Dogs swell in their muzzle & head when they have an allergic reaction, & it can be life-threatening if it affects the closing of the throat. Given that you have already contacted your vet, medicated her & posted your question, that is likely not going to happen in this case.
When we go to the vet for vaccinations, we keep Benadryl capsules with us to administer at the first sign of a reaction. Likely, your vet recommended the same or similar medication.
It is uncomfortable for your dog, because the swelling is going to itch, & the skin on her body will be pulled taut as it is drawn to cover the swelling. I have short-haired dogs & use a stiff pet brush or rough cloth to rub them with, it helps with the itching.
Remove any food, & hold it for 12-24 hours, as the protein can cause the reaction to last longer (dont worry, no dog ever starved in a day!), but make sure she has constant access to water as she needs it. If she is drinking more, remember, she will have to pee more!
It will take between 12-36 hours for the swelling to go completely down, and the medicine should help. Hopefully you have a dosing schedule, make sure to administer the medication on time (every 4,6,8,whatever hours), and you will see signs when it is beginning to wear off...
Make her comfortable for the night, & as long as she is not having problems breathing (other than the wheeziness from the fluffed up muzzle), you should be OK with her at home. But if she does have further complications, a drive to the hospital is better than the alternative.
If you have the # to the animal hospital, you can call them & explain the situation, both how it occured & what has been done to bring it under control. Ask what you should look for specifically to know that you need to bring her in.
Good luck, & I am sure she will be her normal self in a day or two. Make sure your vet documents the vaccination that caused this in her records so that it is not administered next time.
2006-11-04 14:59:37 · answer #1 · answered by oluchirr 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
None of my dogs have ever had a reaction to a vaccine before, hopefuly what the vet you called told you to get will clear it up. I know if you care about your dog like I do about mine your probably going nuts right now. Have faith and say a few prayers and everything will be all right. Even if it means staying up at night don't leave your dog's side. Good luck and God bless. Your dog will be in my prayers.
2006-11-04 15:02:28 · answer #2 · answered by John H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, rare. Hopefully you've given her a bit of benadryl for the swelling. This should control the problem and give her system time to recover from the reaction. Keep her warm and watch her. Check her gums and eyes for signs of shock - if you poke her gums with your finger, it will turn white. Color should return within seconds of relieving the pressure - if not, she's shocky. Make sure pupils are reacting - again, bad if they aren't. Make sure breathing is normal - no shallow panting. If any of these signs occur, PLEASE make the drive to emergency QUICKLY! I've seen many dogs have this reaction and all have recovered, but watch her closely because there is always the chance that her system can't handle the reaction. Good luck!
2006-11-04 14:58:28 · answer #3 · answered by Cherokee Lady 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have had a couple of pups with bad reactions. The best thing to give them is Benadryl. With the last pup, it was really bad. We gave her the benadryl and headed for the vet's and she was almost 100% better by the time we got there. He looked her over and said she would be fine. Since we have small dogs, I keep children's liquid benadryl at all times. For larger dogs you can give the pill, but ask the vet for dosage.It takes the meds awhile to work. I hope your dog will be okay. I will pray for both of you.
2006-11-04 14:59:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, our dog had a reaction to a vaccine, but instead of her face being swollen her chest and body was swollen. We took her to the vet and they said a swollen chest is more rare than a swollen head but not dangerous, and we should just make sure she's comfortable, and keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't have any other symptoms.
2006-11-04 14:59:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh, I'm so sorry. I had the same thing happen to a dog once. She went into Anaphylactic Shock , and her face was all swollen, she started panting and drooling, had trouble breathing , her tongue turned purple and she had lumps all over her poor body. I know what you're going though. You really should take her to an emergency vet. I had to take my dog back or she would have died. Thankfully, she made it though, but not without help.
Hugs and prayers. Please take her to an emergency vet.
2006-11-04 15:01:56 · answer #6 · answered by HDB 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
my thoughts are with you and your dear dog. Vaccine reactions are quite common and can be resolved with a few doses of Benadryl. I hope that all goes well and that you and she have a peaceful night.
2006-11-04 14:58:02 · answer #7 · answered by moejaymom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll pray for you right now.God please et this girls dog be okay.Help the swelling to go down and I pray she will make it through the night and I pray that they won't have to go to the vet's,please let the dog make a full recovery and quickly amen. I will keep your dog in my prayers have faith.
2006-11-04 15:58:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i feel so sry 4 ya. i know what it's like for your dog to become sick. she'll be off her feet for a couple of days. i would put her food and water by her bed and take her outside when she needs to go unless she' paper trained then you would just have to lay down news papers outside her bed. i know what it's like to have a sick dog. Mine decided to eat some rat poising to fix that if it ever happens is salt and peroxide. works like a charm though he was still off his feet for three days.
2006-11-04 15:12:29 · answer #9 · answered by Weird W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pig ears. My dog loves them.
2016-05-22 00:15:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋