Bee season is here! Poor little Ginger was fine when her owners left to run errands. When they returned, her face was swollen and she could barely open her eyes. They raced her into the clinic for care. Thanks to their quick action, Ginger made a complete recovery.
Although we don’t know exactly what Ginger reacted to, I suspect it was an insect bite. Bees and ants are extremely active during July and August. That’s when I see dogs like Ginger come into the clinic with swollen faces. This is also what can happen in an allergic reaction to anything including medicine, cleaning products and vaccines. I recommend that all dog owners stock an antihistamine like Benadryl in their medicine cabinet. Contact your veterinarian for the proper dosing instructions. Carry some with you on vacation. My dog Buddy likes to catch bees in his mouth – he is not always the brightest bulb on the tree but I love him! I send some Benadryl with instructions when he stays at the pet resort.