Seeking help for hives

[Cami]

Dear group,
I am seeking info reguarding hives. I have done a search but need further info please.
Cami (5 1/2 months) developed hives yesterday am. They were literally appearing before my eyes. After a call into the vet I was on my way to the drug store for some Benadryl. While I was grabbing my keys my hubby said that the hives were gone. The whole ordeal took place with in 1/2 hour.
So they came and they went. Then, just as suddenly this afternoon they reappeared in different locations and with more gusto. She doesn't seem to be bothered by them. The vet said to give 25mg once at the onset, then 25mg again after 4 hours and then an additional 25mg before bed about 8 hours later.
I gave her the first dose a few hours ago but the hives are getting worse this time.
Does the treatment (if it will work), take a few doses? The majority of the posts that I have read state that hives have cleared up pretty quickly after just the initial dose and that further dosing is for reoccourances.
She does not have a fever, she is breathing fine and is not itching.
The cause of the hives is a mystery to us. We have not changed her food, (Natural Balance), we have searched the yard for any possible new weeds, I haven't used any cleaners around her......
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Susi and
Cami......AKA Lumpy

 

[TracyLynn]

Both of our two have had hives before. It sometimes does take more than one dose to clear it up. It seems as though the initial dose stops the hives from getting worse and the subsequent doses actually get rid of the hives. Rita's will linger for a day or so before completely gone. If they get significantly worse or if you see facial swelling a trip to the vet for a quick shot could not hurt. I hate it when they have hives. It's actually pretty gross feeling to me...

I hope Cami feels better soon!!

 

[ctbxrlvr]

Cassius also gets hives, I think he is actually allergic to grass! When he goes outside and rolls around he gets them. Today he was lying on one side in the grass and the hives actually appeared only on that side! They look so strange but they usually only last an hour or two.

 

[boazdad]

hello all! i am replying to this post because i woke up this morning to find boaz has bumps ALL OVER his back legs and up his sides. i cannot tell if they are hives or bug bites. what do hives actually look like? what should i do for him? he is not scratching them at all. the strange thiing is he slept in bed with me and my bulldog in bed last night and he is the only one with these bumps. hopefully you can shed some light on this. i may run him to the vet but i'd love to know if this is hives or bug bites first. they are mostly welts the size of pennies. a few are a bit larger than quarters. any help is greatly appreciated! thanks-daniel

 

[TracyLynn]

Sounds like hives to me. I would give him a benadryl and see if they get better, but the first time my girl got them I took her to the vet just to be sure. If this is the first time, a trip to the vet might not hurt. Keep us posted. I hope he feels better!

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

That's what Scrapper looked like when he had hives also - big flat bumps all over - ugh! And sometimes you will never find out what caused them. He had them for six weeks about two years ago, and then they went away and have pretty much stayed away. And, frankly, we never discovered what caused them, though we had lots of theories.... Also, they can develop an allergy to a substance at any time, so something that might be fine before suddenly becomes an allergen. You have my sympathies. If you ever notice the dog has any trouble breathing you need to see the vet IMMEDIATELY.

 

[boazdad]

once again, thanks for your replies and good advice. it turns out boaz was having an allergic reaction and breaking out in hives. the vet believes he was bit by a spider or ant. poor baby benadryl took care of it and he is already 100% hive free in a matter of hours. whew! those hives were definetly unslightly usually in the case of hives a vet will give a benadryl and steroid shot. any home remedies out there i should know of? if ignored will they just go away on there own? i had the hotel treat the room for bugs and completely change the mattress and linens. can never be too careful. thanks again!

 

[Tink]

Just yesterday Luke broke out in hives. 2nd time in 3 days. I figured out it was from the food. (we were visiting his doggie pals and I added a bit of their Wellness Duck & Sweet Potato in his. )
Benedryl cleared it up in about an hour.
Hives will go away on their own after time if the allergen is out of reach. Sometimes it does take more than one dose of Benedryl to clear them up. Think of it this way. Hives are the bodies way of reacting to the allergen. The allergen has to pass thru the body for the hives to go away. Depending on what caused it, it may be fast, or take a LONG time for the body to stop producing hystimines.
Luke had severe hives after a series of vaccinations. Those took a few days (after a stay in I.C.U. and steroids and fluids)
But hives that come from a bite or foods go faster as long as they don't get that food or bitten again.
The funny thing with Luke was that we were at my folks' house. Dad had never seen hives in dogs. He came running in the house and said, "Something is wrong with Luke... he looks... bumps... like the elephant man!... he's.. it's...come quick!"
Dad was freaked out. I ran, thinking the worst. Luke was running around playing as usual. I called him over and phew! Just hives. Dosed him on Benedryl. Dad couldn't believe it. He'd never seen it before. He kept feeling the bumps shaking his head saying, "I'll be damned." LOL

 

[harley'smama]

Zoe gets hives too...in fact I just gave her a Benedryl because I noticed a few on her. I thought I had figured out cinnamon was the culprit but she was just outside playing this time. So I think it might be bug bites...
Anywayz, I give her 1 mg of Benedryl per pound so she gets
2 - 25 mg pills. The first time she had hives it took 3 days for them to clear up!!! There are pics in my gallery of her hives. I think just about anything could cause them...a new detergent on your clothes, a new toy, new treats, new air freshner, etc.