Saturday, July 8, 2017

Severe acute allergic reaction.


Early this morning we thought we might revert to being a one dog family. However, Sophie is as tough as nails. A series of injections, oxygen and three hours work by a vet and a nurse got her heart working normally. A moment of drama when the hospital staff discovered she still had two bees trapped in the fur on the inside of her back legs. Thank heavens 'The Font' had phoned ahead and been firmly told by the vet on night duty not to give her an antihistamine. Seems they can be fatal on dogs.

We thought we'd seen it all. Poison in chicken 'snacks' put down by hunters, Processional Caterpillars, the big 'C', ticks. This wild bee swarm was by far the scariest. She must have disturbed them in their nest ( in the ground or in a tree ) or when they were returning to their nest as the sun set. The speed with which the symptoms developed counted in minutes - three maybe four at the most. 

Interestingly, Bob would not sleep until his sister returned home from the hospital at six.  The family diva is currently in a deep sleep which is also where 'The Font' and Angus ( and Bob ) shortly hope to be. Ordinarily the hospital would keep a patient in for a day or two for observation. With Sophie they were of the opinion that '' she'd recover more quickly at home ".




85 comments:

Gigi K. said...

Thanks be to God! Praying that Sophie makes a complete recovery.
Much love and blessings from Gigi, Mark, Mitzi, and Emmy in California

Anonymous said...

Best heartfelt wishes from the Westcoast of Canada - for SOPHIE to have a most speedy full recovery. And a huge sigh of relief from us to
ANGUS, the FONT, and dear dear BOB. What a frightening thing to happen to the family Diva - and thank goodness the FONT phoned ahead to the Vet! Fingers crossed that this too shall pass. Quickly. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Unknown said...

Up in the middle of the night to check and now we are rejoicing at this news! I was so frightened.
Thank God for this outcome. Enjoy your much deserved sleep!

WFT Nobby said...

Oh thank goodness Sophie is OK. What a drama. Thanks for the update.

The Ladies of Beaglebratz Manor said...

You all and dear Sophie have been in our thoughts and prayers as well as from all of Blogville. I have been waiting for news and how great that it was such good news. We all here continue sending our thoughts of healing and prayers to Sophie and all of you.
Mom Kim, Lady Shasta an'Miss Maizie

MOPL said...

Thank goodness. all is almost right in the world again. Hugs to sophie and to bob

The Life of Riley said...

So pleased to read the ROF family are all back together and the family Diva is going to be OK. Sleep well all.

Julie said...

What a relief. Sleep well and I hope you all wake feeling refreshed and rested

Selina said...

I'Ve been thinking about poor Sophie all day (time difference here in Australia) and sending out little prayers for her. What a tough little girl she is. You two must be shattered! Hope all the family recouperate gently over next few days.

Susan said...

Wow! What a dramatic course of events. Thank goodness it all turned out OK, and thank goodness for great vets.

Heda said...

Gosh thank goodness for vets. Scary stuff.

Virginia said...

Oh My Goodness! That is seriously scary stuff - is there anything you can keep on hand in case she has another serious reaction to another sting? At school we have a child who carries an "iPen" thing that we all have to know how to use in case she has an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. Is there the equivalent for dogs? Sleep well, and recover quickly little girl.

Kittypup said...

Good Grief....just tuned in for a quick catch up - how life can turn on a sixpence!
So happy that dear Sophie seems to be over the worst...bless her. Huge cyber hogs to her and beautiful, caring Bob.
Testing times always prove how much we love them. Wishing you all an uneventful and relaxing day x

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
...and add my relief to the list! I am sorry it has taken this near tragedy to make myself known to you. Continuing with POTP till the all clear is sounded. YAM xx
("aunty" to many dogs in Blogville, and meeter of several, including Bertie Boffin...)

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Up early to let a new arrival outside, and as I always do at this time, I read your post. Add me to the list of grateful well-wishers and those extremely relieved that Sophie was able to receive the needed emergency care and is home! How very frightening!

When the proverbial dust clears, you must tell us why an antihistamine would have been fatal. It would have been the first thing I would have done.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

That's good news...been thinking of her...well, all of you all day.

Molly the Airedale said...

Thank doG you're okay, Sophie! What a close call!

Angus said...

http://www.dogingtonpost.com/dog-dangers-common-otc-medications-that-are-poisoning-our-pets/

Its all to do with what else is in them and the dose. We had Desloratadine which is a no no. The Clarityn couldn't be found anywhere.

ronet said...

Great News.Glad all will be OK.Big hugs to all.xxx

Judith said...

Tears of thanksgiving here. So relieved and happy at this good news. May you all have a peaceful weekend.

Anonymous said...

This is the first thing I read this morning and I had to go back to yesterday's earlier post to realize what had happened. And the tears began. Poor Sophie has been through so much. And what a heartwrencher for you and the Font once again. My thoughts are with you all as you recover from this crisis. Cathy

Angus said...

She is 995 recovered this morning.

Angus said...

2016 the year of broken legs, 2017 attacked by bees. Let's hope it's all smooth sailing from here.

Angus said...

The shok was the rapidity with which the symptoms set in and the speed at which her breathing slowed.

Angus said...

Divas and dramas.

Angus said...

Some small miracle kept her going on the high speed trip with 'The Font ' down the motorway.

Angus said...

Bob is relaxed - again.

Angus said...

An even more shocking event than the time CC#1's tonsils had to be removed.

Angus said...

The prayers worked.

Angus said...

Yes, a big thank you to folk who work at 10 pm on a Friday night.

Angus said...

Most antihistamines sold gere are for hay fever and have decongestants added. These are apparently a major no-no. Old fashioned Clarityn - not the genetically modified variety - is what you should have on hand , if you can find it.

Angus said...

Never a dull moment with Sophie. And to think we thought the garden was completely safe.

Angus said...

After Sophie's two broken legs we are now well versed in the 'Here's the car keys, she's in the back, I'll lock up the house and catch up with you later ' routine.

Angus said...

Life in Scotland seemed so much calmer - the worst thing the berry bugs from the raspberry canes !

Angus said...

Bee swarms a new- and hopefully never to be repeated - experience for Sophie and her owners.

Angus said...

It all happened so quickly. Experience with dogs says that symptoms usually disappear quickly. When she slumped and wasn't interested in a piece of cheese waved in front of her nose we knew it was serious.

Angus said...

The diva is up and about although not too keen to head off into the thick bushes. Lesson absorbed ?

Angus said...

A dicey half and hour around 10.30 last night but a well practised vet knew what to do.

Angus said...

A girl of indomitable spirit.

Elle Clancy said...

Thank heavens; this is wonderful news. I feel as if these 2 sweethearts are my own...isn't that funny, how reading about someone else's world every day makes you worry about them in bad times and rejoice in good times? Best wishes from Ohio!

Swan said...

Sophie has to be part cat..she has at least 9 lives! I'm so glad she's ok❤️

Poppy Q said...

Yippee - we are glad that miss sophie is home. We hope the rest of your weekend is drama free.

liparifam said...

Oh, my word - just seeing all of this now. How quickly life can change :( You are so right about these things happening on Friday evenings! That's the way it has always happened here, for sure. And then to have to make the trip to Toulouse when you are so worried and panicked - horrible! I remember a similar late night trip and constantly checking to make sure my little one hadn't already passed away on the journey. A miracle I didn't wreck the car! So happy and relieved to hear that Sophie has recovered.

liparifam said...

And yes, Benadryl always on hand here...

Beau and Mom said...

So Very sorry to hear about Sophie, but I'm thankful everything turned out ok. Whew.
I hope you all have a slow and more relaxed day,
Always thinking of you from Ohio

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad Sophie feels better. She went through so much already. So scary to live,through this. Good that you have a well establish plan now for such events

Millie and Walter said...

We're so glad to see that Sophie is back home and feeling better. Yours was the first blog we checked this morning and there was a big sigh of relief that the vets were able to help her.

Cheryl Pass said...

Whew! What a relief to hear she is o.k. We have Benedryl on hand here and our vet says that's fine to give our dog for allergies. But in this case of massive stings I doubt that would have been enough. So glad you got good help! Whew!

10NISNE1 said...

Just read both posts. Thank God Sophie is going to be alright!

Charlotte said...

I pray for all four of you every morning and so glad that prayers were answered for Sophie again.
Is Benedryl safe for dogs? Would that help with a bee sting?

Emm said...

Oh my! Just catching up on reading, and I am stunned at Sophie's news. So relieved that she's going to be OK. Angus and The Font may, however, take some time to recover.
Thanks to and blessings upon emergency vets.

Mo said...

Thank you St. Therese of Lisieux (Little Flower) and everyone's prayers for this small but mighty miracle for Sophie, her family and all of her friends.

E Snook said...

So fortunate there was a good vet available when Sophie needed one. Happy tail wags from Hamish the Westie in Canada and his people.

Unknown said...

Peter and I are so happy to read that Sophie is now recovered, thank goodness we only read about it all this AM. How scary for you all.

Angus said...

If nothing else Sophies owners have become conversant with wild bee nesting habits.

Angus said...

The emergency hospital in Toulouse was a literal life saver.

Angus said...

Amazing how quickly she has recovered her zest for mischief.

Angus said...

After poisonings by hunters, lethal deer ticks and attacks by tongue destroying caterpillars we -almost- took an attack by a swarm of angry bees in our stride.

Angus said...

Swarming bee attacks on dogs are not unheard of here. The danger time is when they're returning home as it gets dark.

Angus said...

Never entered our mind that modern antihistamines have decongestants added.

Angus said...

Yes, it's a great relief. The surprising thing is how concerned Bob was.

Angus said...

Benedryly is the right thing to administer. We of course had lots of antihistamines but of a type that had additives that are lethal to dogs. One lives and learns.

Angus said...

A hectic 24 hours but after she got to the vets everything was quickly put back in order. Two bees had become entangled in her fur and had to be cut out in the emergency room. I must have removed half a dozen in the kitchen before carrying her into the car. Swarming bees get mad and determined.

Angus said...

All miracles - little or large - greatly welcome.

Bentley said...

Just saw your post. I am so very glad that Sophie is home and on the mend. She has had her share of problems this year. Pets can keep you on your toes.
Bentley & Pat

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to say. who knew such a little diva could grab your heart and wring it to bits!
this news just made my day.
and give beloved loyal little brother a special hug from me. xo

Jake of Florida said...

Angus, just saw this as I'd been away from my computer for a few days. Thank God for your quick thinking, for the Font's safe trip to Toulouse while worrying about her little passenger all the way, and for the knowledgeable and available vet. With all you've been through with critters... ticks and catepillars and the like... adding angry bees to the mix is over the top. Coincidentally, we've seen several instances of dogs being stung by swarming bees here in South Florida. Apparently, migrating African bees who are wilder than our domestic ones have been mating with the milder ones, causing one more thing to be alarmed about. Folks here have been advised to walk around their property frequently to spot any newly formed hives. I'm so so glad Sophie has recovered and that Bob can relax and that you and the Font can breathe again. xxxxx

Jans Funny Farm said...

So glad to see this today and know Sophie is still with you. What a scary thing to happen. And painful. We hope Sophie recovers quickly and you all get some rest.

rottrover said...

Sophie is our miracle dog. So glad all is well at the ROF. And yes, always on a Friday night...

My Mind's Eye said...

We are so thankful for you and for the time to you took to let us know about amazing Sophie. WE did not know of your blog until we read the POTP...we'll be back
Kitty kisses which a potent and mom hugs
madi and mom

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

That really is some good news. What a relieve this must have been. Healing Pawkisses for a complete recovery are on the way <3 <3 <3

Yamini MacLean said...

...and midgies... don't forget the midgies. I did for my first three years back here, then last week I paid big time. Bishop's Glen. Yeech. I still have welts a week later! Sophie has my empathy and sympathy... Yxx

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

My own heart isn't beating normally reading this. Please keep us updated. I'm so glad it appears she's over the worst. xx

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

Everyone at the ROF is a team. All of your hearts beat as one. When something happens to one of you, the team goes into action. Much heart felt concern and gratitude goes out to each of you for your continued well being. Many prayers, and thanks have been said on all of your behalf today. May you all be sleeping well at this very moment!

Angus said...

Sophie is one of those dogs that lives life to the full - particularly if it means excavating a wild bee nest.

Angus said...

Every time we have a new generation of PONs we think we'll never get as attached to them as we did to previous generations. Of course it doesn't work out like that.

Angus said...

Swarming bees are not something that we'd ever prepared ourselves for. There again we didn't know about tongue destroying caterpillars until we moved to a warmer climate.

Angus said...

Thank you.

Angus said...

The fearless and mischief / chaos generating miracle dog.

Angus said...

Recovery almost complete.

Angus said...

Today she is back to normal and to our horror doing her best to get back to the azalea trees where she found the bees nest. She is being kept in the side garden and isn't at all happy about having her freedom curtailed.

Angus said...

Bob is staid and reliable. Sophie is undoubtedly a wild thing.

Angus said...

In every generation of PONs we've had there has always been one that somehow manages to generate chaos. This time we seem to have two of them.

Hailey and Zaphod and their Lady said...

We are sorry to meet you under these circumstances but are happy to hear your girl is doing better. POTP for a full recovery.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Just logging on first time this weekend only to read this news. My word. I hope by the time this reaches you and morning comes she is back to her 110% self. That is incredibly scary. Much love from our furry ones to yours.