Hives or Insect Bites???

[ChubsPeanut]

Hey, so Ralph woke up this morning with a few raised marks on his back and after about an hour his body was pretty much covered. They aren't bothering him at all and he is totally himself but it looks bad.........
We haven't brought him anywhere different just the usual walks and he hasn't eaten anything out of the ordinary. I'm assuming they're hives or insect bites.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If he gets worse, we will bring him to the vets x

 

[Harv]

Harvey had something similar a year or so back, we think he was bitten or stung by something. His face puffed up, especially around his eye, and he had raised marks on his shoulder and legs.

We gave him a Benadryl tablet, we had the capsules, so took the powder in the capsule and put it in a spoon of Philadelphia soft cheese which he loves, so he ate it up no problems. Thankfully a few hours later he improved.

You could try that, it might help.

 

[ChubsPeanut]

Unfortunately, I haven't got any Benedryl and the shops close at 4 on a Sunday. I'm hoping he'll be ok until I can sort him out tomorrow. As I said, he doesn't seem bothered by it. Think it looks worse than what it is....I think I feel worse.....

 

[ChubsPeanut]

Just been to get some Benadryl but it doesn't contain the active ingredient Diphenhydramine ...... Only contains Acrivastine which hasn't been tested in dogs....is this safe to give??? I'm so confused!

 

[Harv]

Well we have given Benadryl to Harvey a couple of times and he has been fine.

If you are not sure or not comfortable then just wait until the morning when you get to see the vet, as you say he doesn't seem in discomfort so I am sure he will sleep through the night ok.

Maybe Google Benadryl for dogs, you will get a few links with advice, it may help you decide.

 

[whiskers]

Benadryl should be diphenhydramine. If it's not that or if it contains any other ingredients I wouldn't use it.

Or if they're just hives and he's not bothering them and seems okay otherwise, then I'd probably just skip it!

 

[ChubsPeanut]

It wasn't bothering him up until an hour ago then he started jumping on the couch and rubbing along the cushions presumably because he was itchy. He's asleep at the minute so I think we will just leave him and being him to the vet in the morning....
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm sure giving him the Benadryl would be fine Harv but I've looked it up and the ingredient Acrivastine hasn't been fully tested in animals so I'm a little apprehensive. He's also had diarrhea twice today so don't wanna chance it....

 

[ChubsPeanut]

Bringing Ralph to the vets in the next hour so will update as to what's going on. Thanks for all the well wishes x

 

[ChubsPeanut]

Ralph has been to the vets this morning and had what we suspected. A reaction probably to an insect bite which resulted in hives. He's had a steroid injection and is sleeping it off now (as he barely slept at all last night!)
Thanks for all your kind words and wishes

 

[Independence]

Bug bites can be scary. Glad to hear he's ok. I would suggest keeping benadryl or something similar in the house. You can give 1mg for each pound. Pills are usually 25 mg.