Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Zoe was a very sick girl...

 
     That slow, organized week that I had hoped for...just hasn't happened yet. I wanted to share this information about our Zoe, because it was completely unexpected and could happen to any of you who own dogs.
 
     Zoe is now almost 19 months old. Late Monday afternoon we took her in for her yearly shots for Rabies, DHLPP and Bordetella. We brought her home and she was just fine. She ate her dinner, played with her toys and had her normal evening routine. We put her in her bed about 11:00 p.m. and I did notice that she was a bit restless, but we thought she was probably just sore from the injections.
 
     Our morning routine is that my husband brings her into me at 6:00 and she curls up on the throw next to me and we go back to sleep until 7 (well, she does). Yesterday, he brought her in and she slept a while then sat up quickly and started to throw up. I got her outside, my husband took over and she was sick a few more times even though she hadn't eaten anything. By the time I got out of the shower and came in the living room, she was completely covered with huge red spots...everywhere. We immediately called the vet and were told to bring her in. In the car we literally watched as her face was swelling. By the time we got to the vet, her face was so swollen it had that round, puppy look again and her eyes were just slits. I was seriously worried that her throat was going to close off and we would lose her. This was all happening at 7:30 yesterday morning, more than 14 hours after the shots.
 
     The vet gave her a steroid injection and Benadryl. He also kept her, saying they had to get this reversed quickly. We were told to call at 3 and see how she was doing. By the time I called, she was better and able to come home. Her face was normal, her spots were mostly gone except for those around her neck and other than being a bit slow and tired from the Benadryl, she seemed to be almost normal. She was very thirsty and steroid shots make them lose a bit of bladder control, but that will pass in a day or two.
 
     This was truly a frightening experience because it was all happening so quickly. It is possible for a dog's (or human's) windpipe to close from the swelling, so if this had happened while we were sleeping...the outcome could have been tragic. Our vet said that it is unusual for a dog to have a delayed reaction like this, but a friend told me it happened to her dog the day after shots as well...so, it happens. It obviously also happens to dogs who had no reaction in the past since Zoe had the same shots last year and did just fine.
 
     She is still a bit "off" today, but has had a dose of Benadryl and seems distressed to be "leaking" a bit as she is housebroken and you can tell she is confused about that part. I'm keeping her either on my lap or in her kennel to protect the house and just to baby her a bit. She doesn't mind the extra TLC at all!  There are things they can give a dog to prevent this from happening again and we will certainly be taking care next year to protect her. I thought it was worth sharing as so many blog readers are dog owners.
 
     We are waiting for a storm system to come through later today. They have mentioned everything from hail, tornados, lots of rain, snow and dangerous winds. I hate storms, I get really scared, so I'm on high alert!!
 

18 comments:

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

How frightening! Glad she is ok now.
Hope the storm doesn't hit too hard!

Blondie's Journal said...

I know how upset you must have been about Zoe...you acted quickly and so did your vet. I've never been warned of any side effects from these shots and my dogs have had all of these. Are they not telling us something? Were they able to tell you which shot might have caused it?

Last year Layla had her rabies shots and was really down for the count, even the next day. The vet called to check on her twice which I thought was nice, but had no idea why she was so listless. I always worry that they will give the wrong dose to a little dog. Anyway, I'm glad Zoe is okay and you can calm down.

Are the storms just for your area? I haven't been too up on the news. I'm terrified of tornados, of course, isn't everyone in Illinois??!! Stay at home and be safe.

XO,
Jane

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Wow - that is scarey. So glad she is ok now. We have storms coming thru late this evening - so not looking forward to this.:(

Pondside said...

That was a terrible scare. I'm glad she's recovering. I'd never heard of this happening, but will keep it in mind.

Barbara F. said...

I am so glad you got her to the vet in time, such a scary thing to happen. She is adorable, little Zoe. xo

Barbara F. said...

I am so glad you got her to the vet in time, such a scary thing to happen. She is adorable, little Zoe. xo

Patrice said...

Wow, so she's allergic to the shots? What will you do in the future?

Linda said...

That is so scary...I'm so glad you were there when everything happened. Take care, little Zoe! Have a great day!

Leigh Powell Hines said...

So sorry. I hope she is feeling better.

xinex said...

Oh Sue, you must have been so scared but I am so glad Zoe is a lo better now. I hope the storm is not that bad, or better yet, do not come at all...Christine

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Poor Zoe! (and you) -- I'm so glad she's better now and hopefully she'll be feeling tail wagging good here soon. (such a sweet face)

Mosaic Magpie said...

Sweet Zoe is too cute to be sick! My dog had a reaction to a rabies shot....she laid on a blanket next to my side of the bed for 3 days...then finally got and started feeling better. The vet said she must have been sensitive to the shot and to keep a close eye on her.
How scary about the hives and swelling.
Deb

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning Suz,
So glad your Zoe is doing better, how scary...........who would think.....I tell you all these shots they give animals and people anymore, makes me skeptical sometimes. Makes you wonder what in the world is in there that would cause such a reaction.

I liked the Doobie brothers too, but was glad you included some of their songs, as I was always terrible with the name of groups and songs...........but once I heard a few I was like oh yea, I
liked them too..........lol

Sounds like yall had a really fun time, nice to feel like a young un
again once in awhile isn't it.
Such fun.............so nice yours
friends came and went with you.

That book you are reading sounds good, where did you buy it???
I just heard of one this morning on a christian tv show that I want to get too, called Wonderstruck by
Margaret Feinburg, she is a bible teacher, I just got in on the very end of her interview, but she was a very joyful and honest lady, so think it will be very good.

I used to read so much more than I do now, and I really want to get back to that, it really feeds me.

Hope your storms are all over and that everything is fine there.

Thanks for writing it was great to hear from you as always hon,

Blessings, Nellie

Ethan Vaughan said...

It's so great that you caught this and Zoe's okay! Now you'll have the many years together that you should.

And what odd weather. It's been 90 degrees here the past few days.

Traci said...

Poor little Zoe! So glad she's ok.

Sue said...

Your Zoe is adorable andI'm glad she is doing well after your scare with her injection reaction. These four-leggers are very special to us dog lovers and we treat them like our kids. :-)

Gypsy Heart said...

Poor baby girl! I'm so glad you were able to get her to the vet quickly and have the meds administered. Such a scary situation! I get so upset when a dog is ill...they can't tell you what's wrong, etc. So glad she's on the mend!

xo
Pat

Jenny said...

Poor little Zoe.

It's amazing how quickly that advanced. So frightening.

I'm glad you got quick resolution on this and I really hope she's feeling all better now.

Have you been able to exhale yet?