Hives, Allergic Reactions and Swollen Faces

This poor little gal presented to me while I was working the emergency service last weekend. She is a young Vizsla and her hives and her facial swelling was so dramatic and easy to appreciate that I had to take a few photos.

Even as the fall is swinging into full gear we are fortunate enough to have some really nice days and the stinging insects have been out in full force. Just like people, not every dog that is stung by a bee or wasp develops an allergic reaction. Also, just because they have been stung before and not had a reaction doesn't mean that they will be free of allergic reactions from future stings. We see reactions to bee stings or insect bites infrequently in cats. Possibly because cats immune systems work differently and they are not as prone to hypersensitivity reactions or maybe because most cats are savvy enough to avoid stinging insects.

Hives (called urticaria or, singularly, wheals) and facial swelling (called angioedema) all occur as the result of an acute allergic reaction that is created by a response of the animals immune system to the venom or bite of the insect. Sometimes these can be very focal reactions, like a mosquito bite, or they can be generalized responses, like the patient in the picture.

Generalized allergic responses can be severe and lead to respiratory difficulty, collapse and, in rare cases, death. Also these lesions can be itchy (called pruritus) and the animals will scratch their faces and cause injuries to their eyes and at times scratch so excessively that they damage their skin.

It is best to have any pet that is experiencing what appears to be an allergic reaction evaluated by a veterinarian. Some of these allergic reactions are not related to insect bites, but to medications or other illnesses. Still other episodes, although they may initially appear minor, can become life threatening. Most patient's that we see on emergency receive injections of steroids and diphenhydramine and are observed to be sure their condition is improving and then sent home. Patients that are more severely affected, have had recent recurrent episodes or are found to have other issues on their examination may end up having additional tests done or even being hospitalized.

The patient in the picture went home to rest and was outside playing the next day, free of bumps!