A big scare!

[MaryinVa]

So last week Chesney broke out in huge hives all over her body. We gave her benadryl and put her to bed but unfortunately in the morning, she was even worse. I took her to the vet and they decided to start her on steroids and give her a steroid shot IV in the office.

Within one minute or so, she started walking slower, then weaving, then wasn't even able to walk. Her breathing got rapid and shallow. They ended up rushing her to the back for resuscitation. Well long story short, after a few bags of IV fluids, she perked back up and is home now doing fine. The vet said it must be some sort of strange allergy/reaction to the steroid shot and that she certainly could not have it again.

But less than a week later, we just woke up this morning and she's covered in hives again. We called the vet and they said not much we can do this time, since she's allergic to steroids. We're keeping her on scheduled benedryl but she just looks so bad and the poor thing is so itchy! I feel terrible!

Any advice out there - anyone tried anything else that helped with hives?

Also, our vet thinks we should consider allergy testing. Has anyone done that before? Was it helpful? We haven't switched foods or anything so I think it's probably something in the yard she's getting into.

Thanks!

 

[alohaboxer!]

Mary, sorry you are going through this. I haven't done allergy testing on Cassius, but he was getting hives weekly. We were putting a bit of olive oil in his food, to shiny up his coat, and discovered that this oil was causing the hives. Perhaps you can try eliminating things out of the diet and see if it helps? Good luck.....