Spider bite? - Update in OP

SpartacussMommy · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:50 am Post subject: Spider bite? - Update in OP

Not long after we got Sparty we had been outside playing and when we came in for the night he had a ton of little lumps all over him (especially his groin area) that looked like little mosquito bites. They didn't seem to bother him and the next day they were completely gone. We had puppy class that day and I asked our trainer if he had seen that before and he figured it was fly bites because they went away so quickly. It has happened a few times since then but a only a few at a time and always went away pretty quickly.

This morning I woke and found that on Spart's right shoulder there was a huge lump about the size of a half dollar and sticking out about a half inch in a perfect circle. It does not seem to bother him but it definitely has me worried. We had planned to watch him for the next 24 to 48 hours to see if it clears up or gets worse but in the mean time I wanted to see if any of you have experienced this???

Thanks in advance for any help!

UPDATE: When we got home last night the lump was completely gone... would you guys agree it was just an allergic reaction to bug bite of some sort or do you think it could be something more serious? I tend to lean on the side of allergic reaction primarily because it disappeared as fast as it came and it didn't bother him. He is still just as crazy as ever and I didn't need to use my new box of Benadryl! Thanks again everyone for all your help!

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

mosquito bites show up on ours during the right time of the year - they look like you would expect them to - with such thin fur, they stand out.
had a dog get a spider bite once - her entire face was swollen for about a day.
spider bites can be nasty. i would keep a close eye on it.
depending on where you live, not sure if you still have mosquitos or not - here in northern Ohio they are long gone - but May-Sept they show up, and the number of bumps on your dog can be pretty crazy on a bad night.

SpartacussMommy · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject:

Hey we're neighbors! I am right above you in Michigan! Our mosquito's for the most part are gone as well (these warm days are confusing them though! lol) I definitely don't think this is a mosquito bite. Like you said, when I thought spart had been bit by mosquito's they were tiny bumps everywhere this is an isolated area and huge. I'm anxious to get home from work and see if it has changed at all.

DanniGirl · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject:

Here's another tip about spider bites...if you suspect your pup is having an allergic reaction, you could always give him a small dose of Benadryl.
Small as in 25 mg (one pill or 1 tsp) or smaller, depending how large he is.

A dog that I was watching had an allergic reaction to something (her face had swelled up significantly around her eyes, etc...) and I gave her Benadryl (one pill) and by morning the swelling had gone down substantially and she acted as though nothing was wrong.

SpartacussMommy · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:09 pm Post subject:

Speaking of benadryl, thank you for bringing that up by the way, I was wondering if you use regular adult kind or baby kind.

I was hesitant to give him any this morning when I left primarily because he was going to be alone and I wanted to be able to observe him especially it being our first time giving him anything. His daddy did go home at lunch to check on him and it was still there but he continues to try to assure me everything is fine but I am mommy and mommies worry! lol I would go home at lunch but I work 75 miles away from home so it doesn't exactly work out! Smile

I think I might bring him to work with me tomorrow if it hasn't gone away cause I am continuously thinking about my little guy.

(i would love to bring him to work more often but I seriously think I have the most hyper weim out of all the litters that have ever been breed and my boss (whom is also my sister-in-law) is allergic to animals Sad

)

weimdawgs · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject:

Give your SIL the benedryl and bring Sparty to work!!! Laughing

Just kidding. 75 miles!!! Man that's a haul everyday. I did 40+ for years and I thought that was bad. Horrendous traffic, though.

I'm spoiled now. I work 1 mile from home. Less $, but a lot less stress. And I get to go home everyday and let my babies out.

I use the adult kind.......usually 1 pill, although I've been told I can give them 2.

peppernaei · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:20 pm Post subject:

i was told 1-2 mg per lb every eight hours as required. i thought it was a lot for my little guy but the emergency vet told me not to worry "he doesn't have to operate any heavy machinery".

i try to limit medication for myself and my pets so i usually start with half that and see what happens. for seasonal allergies zaphod gets 1/2 a 25 mg pill twice a day. he hates the kids stuff because of the flavoring - around here it is a horrible bubble gum.

Trene · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

I thought my 25 miles one way was bad. I gave Sky the baby kind over the weekend and I don't think it was enough.

DanniGirl · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

You can use either one, they will both work fine. Wink

I personally use the adult one because I always have it on hand for my allergies. Laughing

With my friend's dog, I just mixed the pill in with her kibble and she was fine.

SpartacussMommy · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject:

Hahaha! okay Lynn your first line had me fall over laughing!!!! And my SIL asked me what was up, she found it humorous (definitely not as much as me! lol)

I get paid mileage and an incredibly good wage (we write and publish our own guide books to Disney destinations, SIL and her husband are the authors and we occasionally co-author) otherwise there is NO WAY i would drive alll the way down here. Currently I am working on Bachelors in Accounting so once that is finished I will get a job closer to home!

Thank you all so much for help I will get some Benadryl on my way home from work tonight (lord knows I pass enough stores on my way home lol) and give him some!

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject:

benadryl - 1mg per lb is typical... I put a large post on this last week - our vet had zoe on 75mg 3x a day - she is 65 lbs.
based on what she has said, 2mg per lb is the high end.

oh, and Peanut Butter will get almost any pill down without a problem.