Swollen nose

[evybear15]

The spot right above Baxter's nose swelled up overnight. I've given him Benadryl (per recommendations of his breeder and the animal hospital), and I'm going to get him into the vet as soon as I can. I haven't noticed spiders in my room where he sleeps, and he has no new treats or toys. It was completely normal at about 10pm last night, I just noticed it this morning after we got back inside. Any ideas? I am taking him into the vet, so I guess this is more to try to reduce my own panic and anxiety. Here is a picture comparing last night to this morning:



Top is last night, bottom is this morning. Not the exact same angle, but you get the basic view of it.

Poor guy...

[gsdraven]

Most likely it's a bite of some kind. Or he bumped it? Hope the benadryl helps.

[evybear15]

I didn't see/hear him bump it on anything, and I didn't notice any bite... Not to say neither one of those is the culprit, though. The benadryl didn't seem to be doing much of anything when I left. He's staying with my Mom until I can take him over to the vet so that he can be monitored in case it gets worse.

I have an appointment for him at 11, so fingers crossed it's nothing major and goes away quickly!

He's acting like his usual goofball self, so that made me feel a bit better...But still. I hate when my boy isn't 100%.

[Lilie]

It looks like a wasp bite. Have you noticed any wasps or bees? Is it too cold there?

[evybear15]

Too cold (only 8 degrees this morning) - and if there was a wasp or bee in my bedroom, I'd be staying at a hotel. I do NOT do wasps/bees.

If it's a bite, spider is the most likely culprit...in which case, Sam may be staying at a hotel when he gets home. I'll do another thorough vacuuming when I get back home, even though it was just done. I haven't noticed any, but...then again...it's easy to not notice spiders. I don't have any bites, but I don't sleep on the floor...

[evybear15]

He had no problem with me taking a look at it, checking out his teeth and gums to make sure there wasn't something there. His gums had been a teensy bit red last night, but he had just been chewing on some of his toys. They looked completely fine this morning, no tenderness, etc.

All in all, he's acting like nothing is wrong - wanted to play tug this morning, tried to chase the cats, barked at the "bad guys" outside, ate his breakfast with his usual enthusiasm... Just a wonky nose.

[evybear15]

Well, the swollen nose turned out to be nothing. He thinks, as you all do, that it's likely just a bite. But during the exam, he noticed that Baxter's heartbeat was irregular.

So now I need to set up an appointment with a dog cardiologist to get an EKG done. I'm fully aware that there are many, many harmless heart conditions. I myself have one. But that doesn't help to alleviate the anxiety. The vet didn't want to give me much information or speculate until an EKG has been done, which I understand...but is also frustrating. I just want to know that my boy is okay.

[GatorBytes]

Benadryl also may cause some other common side effects of tingling or numbness, irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
As with any medication taken orally a person may experience side effects that are considered to be allergic reactions such as having an unexplained rash, swelling of the tongue, mouth, throat or lips.Common allergic reactions may also include itching and irregular heartbeat.
After taking Benadryl at night, a patient may experience a general tiredness the next morning, and possibly the next day, until the drug is excreted from the body.

Common side effects of Benadryl - by Kate Johns - Helium

Don't give him benedryl...then go to another vet as this one should have known this....

Hopefully this is the only reason for the heart concern

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by GatorBytes

Don't give him benedryl...then go to another vet as this one should have known this....

What do you mean? "don't give him benedryl and go to another vet"? or "Don't give him benedryl" period??

If a dog's nose is swollen to that extent anthistimines are necessary, to control the swelling and allergic reaction. As with any medication, benefits outweigh risks or the medicine isn't given. In this case, with swelling of the nose/face, it's better to accept risks for benefits (decreased swelling).

On the "list" of common side effects for benadryl, heart rate is not even mentioned, so why do you think this vet is so bad they need to change vets??

Giving a Dog Benadryl to Stop Itching - VetInfo

http://benadrylfordogs.net/what-are-...s-of-benadryl/

[evybear15]

Hopefully that is the only reason. The cost of consultation and ECG honestly isn't much more than an office visit, and I'd rather get him a clean bill of health and avoid benadryl in the future if that was indeed the culprit.

I waited until I talked to the e-vet and a few others before giving him benadryl, and only gave him half of the recommended dosage since he has never had it before. I just didn't know what else to do since his nose was getting so swollen, but the e-vet told me that he should be fine to wait until our normal vet was open to take him in as he was able to breath without any difficulty. Thankfully, that seems to be going away, though.

Hopefully it's nothing, and just a simple reaction to the benadryl....but now that it's been brought up, I'll worry until I'm certain that he's in good health. At least ECGs are noninvasive.