Dear Puffy: It sounds like your puppy was stung by a bee. During the late summer yellow jackets can get really mean and aggressive and more prone to stinging. We all know what it’s like when we have the last of our outdoor picnics and the yellow jackets swarm all over the food and buzz around our heads.

To confirm a bee sting, try to look over the area where the swelling is the greatest. Look beneath the fur for a red area or bump which might be the bee sting. If you can’t find any noticeable bite, perhaps the dog chased the bee and got stung in the mouth. Puppies are notorious for chasing things that fly, from insects to butterflies and unfortunately bees. She may have bitten or even swallowed the bee which caused her swelling.

The swelling is caused by a release of histamine to the bite area, thus the puffy look of her head and eyes. Once you notice the swelling the best course of action is a quick response to prevent further swelling.

Prevention

What I do, and what has been recommended to me by my vet, is to give the dog some Benadryl. I keep a box in my dog room for such emergencies. When I notice a sting or allergic reactions to an insect or spider bite, I pop one adult dose of 25 mg to my approximately 40 pound dog. This anti-histamine will reduce the swelling and the itching within an hour. Make sure to check with your vet about proper dosages for your dog’s weight.

Sometimes if the bite is severe enough, you may need to take the dog to the vet for an injection and a higher dose. Monitoring the situation is your best bet to see if the over-the-counter medication for humans is working. A word of caution, don’t start to self-prescribe human medicines for your dog because some can be very harmful and even fatal like some anti-pain or anti-inflammatory medications.

Work with your vet to be prepared before the next bite occurs. Put together a first aid kit with the help of your vet and you will be prepared for the next home emergency. And in the meantime, you may want to limit your dog’s outside time alone in the yard until the yellow jackets have given up their fight for the season.

Dear Lisa: I’m an older gentleman who wants to get a dog. I’d like to get a purebred rescue. What are the pros and cons about rescues and where’s the best place to find them especially if I want a certain breed of dog? – Raving About Rescues

Dear Raving: Rescued or “re-homed” dogs can make excellent pets if you know what to expect and where to look for the right dog. The majority of purebred rescues are adult dogs ranging in age from one to 10 and beyond. Adult dogs should be housebroken, past the chewing stage and have some basic training.

Finding Your Breed

To find a specific breed rescue group your best resource is the American Kennel Club website www.akc.org. Go to the “breeds” sections and then click on “breed rescue groups.” There you will find listings by breed or geographic area with rescue contacts, website links and e-mail addresses.

To better handle a rescue dog in your home it helps to understand what a dog goes through in the rescue system. Typically, a breed rescue person is contacted either by the family that wants to give up the dog or by a shelter. Many times a worker will go to the family giving up a dog and conduct an extensive interview. Some rescue workers visit shelters regularly looking for their breed. Once the dog is taken into custody, he sees a vet for vaccination updates, possible spay or neuter and is then sent to a foster home for evaluation. Many times there are serious health challenges, like being heartworm positive, which must be addressed before the animal moves into foster care.

Workers who know their breed can see problems more readily and offer proven solutions. A dog that goes through a breed rescue program gets a lot of help from those that love the breed. After the foster period the dog is made available for adoption. Workers will conduct potential owner interviews in the same manner a breeder might screen a new puppy buyer. Making sure the placement is a good fit will reduce the likelihood of the dog returning to rescue. At the time of adoption a donation is usually given to the non-profit rescue group. Some have set rates.

You can’t go wrong if you take the time to do your research and find the right breed for your lifestyle. With some understanding and patience your new purebred will reward you in a multitude of ways.

 

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.