Hives and benedryl
- Thread starter aggiesteph
- Start date
- Status
Scrapper's Mom
Boxer Insane
I know how frustrating it can be to try to figure out what's causing the hives. It's a trying, tiring process of elimination. We tried everything, washing his fleeces in natural hypo-allergenic soap, changing his food, since there are a lot of food items that Boxers are allergic to. For a while, we thought it was a red apple Christmas tree ornament that he had chewed up that left red dye spots all over our white carpet. Nope, not that either. Finally, I noticed the hives came mostly at night, and would kind of go away during the day. We came to a tentative conclusion that he might be sensitive to cold at night, since we left the furnace off and this was January. We began tucking him in his bed with a cover every night. I also started putting doggie T-shirts on Scrapper to keep him warm. He wore them for over 2 months. Either they kept his fur away from whatever was giving him the hives, or they kept him warm, because the hives finally disappeared. I also kept up the benedryl, everyday. Occasionally, I would use the cortizone, with the next day peeing problem always appearing. I hated that. I also changed his food to Avoderm Lamb and Rice which has no corn, no soy, no other items that tend to cause allergies. There is also Natural Balance duck and potato, also supposed to be very good for allergies. Finally, I think we have them under control. But, I still notice, when he goes to the dog park, he gets a few hives down his back due to the other dogs' saliva. They go away in a couple of hours.
I sympathize with you completely. It's a long, tiring process to discover what's causing the problem. Boxers are just so tender and sensitive despite their size. Sorry to go on so long. There are also canine allergist DVMs who will do tests to try to determine what the dog is allergic to. I had made the appointment for one, but the hives were getting better by then, so I cancelled it. Good luck.
I sympathize with you completely. It's a long, tiring process to discover what's causing the problem. Boxers are just so tender and sensitive despite their size. Sorry to go on so long. There are also canine allergist DVMs who will do tests to try to determine what the dog is allergic to. I had made the appointment for one, but the hives were getting better by then, so I cancelled it. Good luck.
My vet told me to run her a cool bath and let her sit in it. Since Memphis prefers showers, I put my bathing suit on and got in the shower with her and she sat there for awhile. Maybe you should call your vet and see if they can give her something for the itching. Memphis was given a steriod shot and it took about a day and half for the itching and most of the bumps to go away.
Nikki
Mommy to Memphis 5.5 months, fawn & white
Nikki
Mommy to Memphis 5.5 months, fawn & white
Scrapper's Mom
Boxer Insane
Scrapper got that cortisone shot the first time as well. Plus prednisone pills. The hives went away for about five days, then they came back in full force.
(which led to the whole thing I wrote about above)
(which led to the whole thing I wrote about above)
lillibirdy
Super Boxer
Ok I am right at home here in this thread! Gunners hives were not affected by the cortisone shot he had today, has anyone else had this experience? The benadryl made his swollen eyes go down, and made him a little more comfortable (and yes sleepy), but only for a couple hours (and I have to wait at least 4hrs till the next dose), and he is just spinning in circles whining and biting, and being miserable. He was fine for a week when we got him, and the only thing we have different was the Albon he began taking for Coccidiosis (his momma turned out to have)...but he took that for two days just fine before the hives and swollen eyes popped up??????? Can you give me a little more info on the prednisone and steroid shots, and what is dexamathasone??? How much are allergy tests, and how likely is it that they will find the culprit? Thanks for all your help to us new mommies!!
hives ( how long)
Well when my boxer mix Zoe had hives, they were mainly larger bumps and after a day or so of benadryl, the swelling went down so no major problems.
We just got back from vacation this friday and my white boxer has hives too, they were all at the kennel. The hives were not as big as Zoe's but they seem much more itchy for him. He seems to have the more delicate skin being white too. We are giving him benadryl and they seem to be getting better, but how long until they are gone, does anyone know? We think he may have gotten into some ants or something, the other two are fine so whatever it was didn't affect them.
He's comfortable for the most part, but itchy. He's fine otherwise too. If anyone has any other suggestions let me know.
Well when my boxer mix Zoe had hives, they were mainly larger bumps and after a day or so of benadryl, the swelling went down so no major problems.
We just got back from vacation this friday and my white boxer has hives too, they were all at the kennel. The hives were not as big as Zoe's but they seem much more itchy for him. He seems to have the more delicate skin being white too. We are giving him benadryl and they seem to be getting better, but how long until they are gone, does anyone know? We think he may have gotten into some ants or something, the other two are fine so whatever it was didn't affect them.
He's comfortable for the most part, but itchy. He's fine otherwise too. If anyone has any other suggestions let me know.
Lucy (my white girl) just went through her third bout of very severe hives. This time her face swelled up to the point where her eyes were almost swollen shut. I gave her benadryl every four-six hours all day (Sunday) and she seemed fine and the sweling was down. I even bathed her in oatmeal shampoo in case she had picked up something. Then the next morning she was full of hives and had itched herself until she bled during the night. She spent the day at the vet under observation and then right before they were going to release her, she broke out again. This time they gave her a shot of prednisone and a prescription for an antihistimine that is stronger than bendadry. For us, benadryl only covers the symptoms until we can get to the vet. She was on the anti-histimines all week (as I was afraid to take her off of them for fear she would break out while I was at work). She was fine this weekend, but still eating and drinking a lot (side effect of the prednisone - i think!). We still don't know what it is that bothers Lucy. She is just ultra sensative to many things (shots, etc.). I am not sure if it is because she is white or not.
lillibirdy
Super Boxer
Ann, how is your Lucy doing? Did you figure out what was causing her hives? Gunners cortisone shot just wore off right when the Vet said, he said two weeks and it lasted two weeks and two days and the hives are coming back. Got him back on the benadryl but I am completely overwhelmed about how and where to begin this search for the allergin, jeez it could be anything...
I did a search and have read all the stuff, and am more frustrated than ever. The allergy tests want you to be off the benadryl and steroids for a few weeks minimum, to get accurate results, but he will scratch himself to a bloody pulp and will be a wreck from lack of sleep by then.
I did a search and have read all the stuff, and am more frustrated than ever. The allergy tests want you to be off the benadryl and steroids for a few weeks minimum, to get accurate results, but he will scratch himself to a bloody pulp and will be a wreck from lack of sleep by then.
lillibirdy- Lucy is doing fine - thanks for asking. Her problems seems to come and go and are never constant. However, when it comes, it comes on strong. We used to think she reacted to chemicals we put on the yard, but this time there wasn't anything. The vet doesn't know what it is, but did say there had been a big outbreak of allergies for dogs lately.
I am sorry to hear about Gunner. I can totally understand what you mean when say he will scratch himself to a bloody pulp. In a matter of hours, Lucy can go from being white, to all red!. I think the first thing I would try is to switch his food. Look at the ingredients of his food now and try to eliminate some of them. If that doesn't work, I would have to think it is something in his environment. I am sure you have, but try to think of everything you have changed recently, in the house and out. I would also try to give him extra baths, in case it is something he is getting in conact with on his skin.
Have you talked to your vet about keeping him on benadryl or another anti-histimine everyday, as a preventitive. Also, Lucy's vet prescribed something a little stronger than benadry - I can get you the name of it if you want! Have you talked to your vet about the allergy tests. Maybe, what you have read about being off of everything is the ideal situation, but the tests can still be completed if they are on medicaiton or have only been off for a day or two. Good luck! I know it is hard to watch them being so uncomfortable! Boxer hugs to Gunner
I am sorry to hear about Gunner. I can totally understand what you mean when say he will scratch himself to a bloody pulp. In a matter of hours, Lucy can go from being white, to all red!. I think the first thing I would try is to switch his food. Look at the ingredients of his food now and try to eliminate some of them. If that doesn't work, I would have to think it is something in his environment. I am sure you have, but try to think of everything you have changed recently, in the house and out. I would also try to give him extra baths, in case it is something he is getting in conact with on his skin.
Have you talked to your vet about keeping him on benadryl or another anti-histimine everyday, as a preventitive. Also, Lucy's vet prescribed something a little stronger than benadry - I can get you the name of it if you want! Have you talked to your vet about the allergy tests. Maybe, what you have read about being off of everything is the ideal situation, but the tests can still be completed if they are on medicaiton or have only been off for a day or two. Good luck! I know it is hard to watch them being so uncomfortable! Boxer hugs to Gunner
- Status