Need some advice...allergy related....
Submitted by Sams74 on August 21, 2012 - 7:47pmSome of you may remember that I posted last week about molly breaking out in hives. I initially thought she was stung by something, but it has been a week and she is stil getting them. She went to the vet 2 times, where they gave her a Benadryl shot, kept her to observe, but ultimately didn't feel like steroids were necessary. She had 1 bad reaction (totally covered in hives and red face-very scary), but Benadryl helped. After that, the vet gave me temaril p and I was about to start it Friday, but she woke up and they were all gone. I thought it was over, but slowly throughout the day some would reappear (maybe 20 total). This happens every day-gone in the morning and then come out after her first walk-so I've narrowed it down to an environmental airborne allergy. The pollen is pretty bad right now, so I feel like I'm on the right track. Ok, my question is should I give the temaril p? I just don't want to pump her full of meds if the hives are just going to come back as soon as she finishes it. I haven't even been giving benadrly for the 20 or so hives shes been getting unless she seems uncomfortable or scratches. I've been managing it by wiping her down after walks, which seems to help, and limiting time outside. I also thought about putting some type of shirt on her when we go out to see if it helps keep pollen off. Any thoughts about starting the medicine or not would be greatly appreciated! sorry for the long message, but I wanted to give all the info!
If you haven't already given the Temeril P, I would...
just forget it unless she gets really bad again. Sometimes you have to taper off of prednisone, but since she hasn't had any, it doesn't matter. Just keep doing the benedryl until the hives go away. We used Frontline on our Oscar years ago and he broke out every afternoon for about three weeks. As long as there are no breathing problems.
Interesting....
Because I put frontline on her about 5 days before the hives. She's used it before but had a different brand until the last 2 months. I got the 45-88 pound pack because that is what she was closest to, but she's a few pounds under the minimum. I was wondering if it could be related. My gut feeling was not to give temaril unless the hives got really bad again. Thanks!
That could be exactly what caused the hives!
I know Oscar was pretty miserable and the sad thing was, he probably didn't even need it, but we had just brought home a rescue that had fleas so I used it on him, we don't normally have fleas here, it's too bloody hot. The Frontline is a 30 day treatment, so I would expect the hives to come and go for a while.
I think you're right...
It is just weird that when she wakes up their gone and slowly come back, but it seems to get a little better each day so maybe the frontline is also wearing off. I heard about a more natural approach to flea prevention so maybe I will look into that. Until then, I guess I have another 3 weeks of a bumpy bulldog! Thanks again!
I don't like Frontline
I would look for a different flea prevention. Frontline can have some serious side effects.
We just started using a new one
called Vectra. Have you ever heard of it? Jury is still out, we just started using it.
Vectra
Is what my vet prescribes. That's what she was on before I switched to frontline in July. Still battling the hives. I applied it August 7 so hopefully they go away in a couple of weeks, and if they don't then I really have no idea whats causing them!
Did you change anything?
New detergent? Rug? Anything new in the house?
Nope
Nothing new. I did move at the end of June and I posted about how she had a few hives (maybe 5 at most) but attributed to her being in a new environment. However, looking back I also gave her frontline the second day in the new place so she could have developed a few from that and then the second dose in August just made her really react. Hard to tell because of the timing at the new apartment! It is driving me crazy to not know for sure. If it is in the frontline, the hives should be gone in about 12 more days! I wish I could wash it off so I could find out sooner though!.
Have not
But you know we are so lucky where we live. While I know there are fleas out there, I do not have to use year around products for fleas, heartworm, etc. In the past 16 years I have had 1 package of Revolution that I have used. I have picked up fleas at dog shows or I suppose it could have been from the dogs that were sharing the room, never know. I do have the dogs tested periodically for heartworm because we do have mosquitos but it's just not a big problem here. I just got back from 4 days of shows, our specialty show, which is the first I have been to all year. I showed Esters 1/2 sister Chloe. She picked up a 4 pt major on Sunday and I got a Reserve with her on Monday. Chloe needs 1 major to finish. Ester needs a major to finish as well, but I have not shown her for over a year now. So not many chances for fleas since they stay at home :)
That was to go under Lisa's post.
n/m
Wtg Chloe!
Keep us posted on her Deb.