Last week, Stella woke up sounding especially raspy and gurgly, so naturally we got the lemon out (she had been running about like a crazy bulldog the night before). We started steaming up the bathroom and getting her to bite the lemon to hopefully get out the phlegm that was giving her problems. After last January the last thing we wanted was another round of pneumonia. Then I noticed something crazy. Stella's chest started to look like there were marbles under her skin, lots of them!
We shortly realized she was having an allergic reaction to something and rushed her to the vets, not wanting to risk anything with her already troublesome trachea. After $350, some IV steroids and fluids and antihistamines, she was good as new! They sent us home with some additional steroids and sent us to the Safeway for benadryl.
After trying to determine what caused the allergies, we suspect it may have been her food - we changed from Nature's Variety Lamb to the Venison - as the manufacturer suggest changing the protein for the dog, and of course they enjoy the change in flavor. Now I know venison is supposed to be one of the best proteins for dogs with allergies, but unless she got into a fight with a spider or something, its the only thing that might have caused it. We have her back on the lamb and she hasn't had any more outbreaks of the hives. Either way we will keep an eye out and I will repost if we ever determine for sure what caused it. If anyone else has had issues with venison causing reactions, or any other substance - please post and let us know!
As I scour the internet worried about my Bulldog, Vidalia, and some odd red spots around her face, which I think are allergies, I appreciate your blog and the day to day issues you have/are dealing with. These dogs are such trust fund babies, damn. Anyway, thanks for your posts and pics.
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