My Tobynator started frantically licking and chewing on his flank about an hour or so ago. I looked at it and it's a very large hard lump that he's agitated so it's red, but it doesn't really look like a hot spot to me. I went ahead and cleaned it up, put some Neo/Pred/Def powder with Tetracaine on it and put his cone of shame on him to prevent him from licking. I also gave him a Benadryl to sedate him and help with an allergic response. Yogi thought the cone was a toy so it took a while for me to convince Yogi that Toby did not want to play with him today. Finally got both dogs settled, but Toby is clearly miserable. We already had a scheduled vet appointment tomorrow for him for his eye acupuncture so we'll convert it into a full exam. Here are our Easter 2013 photos, which are clearly not what I envisioned for today.
Toby is not smiling here- he is in distress (before the Benadryl kicked in):
Yogi and Toby finally chilling, although Toby is distressed still:
Betty, I thought about that even though the bees disappeared yesterday evening. I've been out in the back taking Yogi out and haven't seen any today. I checked for a stinger just in case and didn't find one. These weren't wasps and they weren't yellow jackets- would a regular bee have a stinger that is left in the bite area? I may need a magnifying glass! I may put the anti sting stick over the area just in case. It's been a while since one of us has been stung- I remember just taking an antihistamine. Is there anything else I can give him assuming it's a sting?
Thanks everyone. Toby's is agitated and I've never seen him respond this way to a lump or swelling, so I am assuming it's a bite of some sort. He's been in a cone for long periods of time and is used to them. I used a baking soda paste on it to clean it, clipped some of the fur to see if I could find a stinger (no) and then used the after bite stick. He still could not get comfortable and was pacing and trying to lick the spot. Had I not seen him licking there I would have assumed bloat or something based on his agitation. I called our vet clinic on the chance they didn't close for the holiday but no luck. I thought I could run him down for an oral benadryl injection at a minimum. So I did the next best thing in my arsenal of tricks. I decided to feed him early. He was temporarily distracted by my slow food preparation and ate his dinner with gusto. After he seemed a little less agitated. I went ahead and gave him another benadryl. He is on the cusp of increased dosing for his weight. My hope is the second dose (for a total of 50 mg in 2.5 hours) will be enough to make him sleepy. His appointment tomorrow morning cannot come soon enough. If he continues with this frantic agitation I will take him to the ER.
The second dose of Benadryl did the trick! He put himself to bed and is resting. Whew! I keep on going into the bedroom to check on him and he's sleeping. In the meantime it's up to me to keep Yogi active and well exercised so he will sleep soundly tonight!
Sorry that sweet Toby is going through this and hoping it is just a bite. Even in the Cone of shame, Toby has a golden smile. Keeping your sweet sugar boy in my thoughts.
Toby's nap did him a world of good. He came into our family room and initiated play with Yogi, cone and all. Apparently he wanted a toy Yogi was playing with. I'm keeping the cone on tonight so the swelling will go down. He is still panting more than normal, which indicates he is still in pain.
By the way, Toby has a distinct advantage with the cone when he plays with Yogi because the cone prevents the little one from biting ears!
Oh man - just seeing this now. Poor Toby!!. I'm glad he appears to be more comfortable. I'll be checking in for sure first thing tomorrow to see how he's doing and what the vet has to say. Toby sweetie, I hope you have a comfortable night
DogTuff.com. They have a sale going on today too- 15% off with Coupon Code Easter15! Their toys are durable! I need durability due to Toby destroying so many. Yogi is very good with his toys and is not a power chewer.
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