Lilly’s routine veterinary exam Monday night became anything but when I noticed a HUGE swollen mass in her left neck / left cheek area. I swear it wasn’t there over the weekend or even Monday morning. First thought … another snakebite, but based on various tests and signs our veterinarian says spider bite:
- Probably recent, based on the amount of blood they got out
- Already festering, based on the amount of other yuck they got out, higher than normal body temp, etc.
I’ll write up the whole story once we get past this emergency … because if Lilly gets worse or doesn’t improve enough she’ll have to have surgery (today, Tuesday) or Wednesday.
The lump was twice this size before being drained.
Lilly is home with us and eating and resting comfortably. We’re hoping for the best, but have emergency plans if she worsens.
Ouch!~ Poor, poor Lilly. Looks like the mumps!
Sheryl … that’s EXACTLY what I thought, after assuming another rattlesnake bite: “I wonder if dogs can get the mumps?” It sure looked and felt like what you’d think the mumps look and feel like.
Ouch! Lucky our guys never got that. I got it once, my ankle was huge! Nothing else than the swelling didn’t come from it though. Fingers crossed.
Yikes! Poor Lily…she sure seems to attract things with sharp teeth and a propensity to bite!
Hope it clears up quickly.
One note on vaccines (which you are probably aware of). Since you know she already has reactions to her vaccines, have you considered titering her for everything possible? Mom can’t remember how old she is, but her antibody levels might be high enough that she doesnt even need to get boosters (obviously Rabies is the exception).
wags, wiggles & slobbers
Murphydog
Yes, I do know that, MurphyDog. We already use a modified vaccination schedule for Lilly, including a 3-year rabies, etc. Essentially, we follow the AAHA guidelines (not everything every year), but I haven’t looked at the new guidelines they released.
The one that we HAVE to do each year is the one that causes the most problems, and that’s lepto. There is something about that particular vaccine that the efficacy only lasts 1 year, and because of the water sources and wildlife we have, it’s a big risk for the dogs. IT helps that we no longer give a combo vaccine with lepto in it, but we still space them out and pretreat Lilly with both steroids and antihistamines.
So sorry to hear it. Sending healing thoughts Lilly’s way.
Thanks, Edie and everyone.
Yikes – poor Lilly! Everything crossed for a rapid resolution without surgery.
What kind of spider does that?! You sure have had it all to deal with. I hope Lilly is feeling better soon and that you get a chance to put your feet up and relax some.
Well, Maery, we’ll never know for sure what kind of spider it was, but the brown recluse is a good guess. We’ve had neighbors (human) who ended up in the hospital with a brown recluse bite. Very nasty toxins, high risk of infection.
Poor Lilly! Lulu, Pitsch and I send love and good vibes.
eeek!!!
Hoping Miss Lilly is not too freaked out by all the vet attention and goings on.
Thanks, See Dogs Think. I’ll write about the whole ordeal more when I have time, but Lilly had a rough day Monday. I’m glad I went ahead and gave her xanax before we went. She did fine when they used a syringe to draw out fluid from the lump, but she screamed and writhed when they gave her an injection of steroids and antibiotics. Poor sweetie.
Oh my gosh, how awful! I wish her a speedy recovery without surgery. Don’t beat yourself up: obviously she was acting normal in spite of the injury. I’m assuming she was still eating and playing etc. I don’t know how old she is, but young dogs can typically turn around pretty quick.
Best wishes.
You are having your share of bad luck, lets hope that this is the last of it. On a good note, that routine vet exam couldn’t have come on a better time! Keeping our paws crossed everything works out well. Hugs from Kenzo & Viva
Thanks, yes, Kenzo … good timing I guess. Alas, we had to put off her vaccination and everything else, including blood work because if she needs surgery in the next day or two, then they’ll do blood work anyway. We already have to make multiple appointments to spread out the vaccines because she gets very sick if we give more than one at a time. So, we’ll get Lily through this (+ surgery if necessary), then we’ll try to catch up on vaccinations in June.
It’s going to be an expensive dog doctor month…. I’m taking Ginko in for his wellness exam and blood work next week. So, we’re going to have plenty of quality time with our veterinary partners in the next week.
My goodness, we will hope for a good outcome.