Soph has had a rough couple of days...

[Katie and Sophie]

My poor little girl has had to spend a lot of time with the vet the past couple days.  We still don't have any concrete answers, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!  

Thursday evening around 7 I noticed some swelling under her neck (right above where the collar lays).  It was quite noticeable and I know it wasn't there within the half hour before when I put her collar on.  So off to the ER vet we went.  It took about 20 minutes to get there and within that time the swelling had probably tripled in size and was a very large.  They took x-rays and there were no skeletal abnormalities or foreign objects. they did and aspiration and cytology and saw no signs of infection, so abscess was ruled out (they aspirated a lot, enough to make the swelling go down significantly).  The area didnt seem especially painful and they couldn't find any bite marks anywhere, so snake bite and poisonous spider bite was also ruled out.  They didn't know where else to go from that point, so they gave her a steroid injection (dexamethasone) and sent us home with Cephalexin (500 mg) to be given 2X daily.  The swelling continued after we got home, now going up her neck more towards her chin, and also down her neck more towards her chest.  a couple hours later her lips and her jaw area started to swell as well on her left side.  Called the ER vet and they said to wait until our vet opened in the morning (about an hour and a half until it opened at this point).  Took her into our vet in the morning and they are thinking its an allergic reaction to an insect or spider bite.  They drained it, give her antihistamines, and keep her on the antibiotic.  The swelling on her neck went down throughout the day, but there was no change in the swelling on her lips/jaw.  Back to the vet this morning.  They are still leaning towards an insect or spider bite because of how quickly it came on, but aren't positive.  They gave her a stronger antihistamine and started her on Rimadyl.  If there is no change by Monday we go back for further evaluation.  

She was outside in our backyard prior to this happening, but I was out there with her the whole time and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but that doesn't necessarily mean she didn't get bit or stung though.  she is a tough cookie and tends to not vocalize pain.  I can't think of anything else out of the ordinary either lately.  Any thoughts?

She has been so good throughout all of this.  She lets the vets poke and prod at her and doesn't even try to move.  she is quickly making herself a favorite patient.  

Sorry for the novel!  I just hate not knowing whats going on with her, and I figured the all-knowing DK members might :)

[Linda And Loo]

So sorry to hear Sophie's story! I am glad you got her to the Vet as soon as you did! Keep us posted on her progress! Thoughts and prayers are with you and Sophie!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear about Sophie. I don't have any good ideas that the vet didn't come up with.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

As I was reading I was thinking allergic reaction, but the vets came up with that as well, so, not much to add here.  Hopefully the new meds get it under control and there is no need to go back on Monday.  Hugs to Sophie!  Sounds really scary.

[sandy b]

So sorry to hear this and hope Sophie recovers soon.

[Gail and Bailey]

Poor Sophie!  So sorry to hear she is having such a reaction.  It does sound like a spider or insect bite.  Let's hope the worst is over and it is working its way out of her system!  Sending hugs to Sophie....and you too!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sorry to hear this, I hope Sophie gets better soon!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Oh dear, no thoughts other than some reaction to something and am hoping this goes away as quickly as it arrived.  Cuddles and good wishes for Sophie.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I have no good ideas but I am surprised that aspirating the area would make the swelling go down if it's an allergic reaction.  I know how you are feeling we have spent way too much time at the vets lately ourselves. I hope that whatever it is resolves quickly and doesn't cause any other issues. It really does sound like an allergic reaction and the steroids should work well if it is. I don't want to scare you but if she is having that much swelling in her face and neck area be sure and keep a good watch that she isn't having any difficulty breathing. If she seems to be having any difficulty breathing get her back to the vet right away.

[Katie and Sophie]

Thank you, I am definitely keeping a close eye out for that!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am so sorry that you all are going through this. My prayers are with you. I hope she is better soon. Let us know.

[Gail Vinnal]

My sisters golden just had a similar situation and they eventully found a bee sting inside her mouth!  The poor dog is 10 years old and we thought she was going to die, it took about 4 days for her to get back to normal

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am sorry to hear about Sophie and hope you get to the bottom of this soon. Good luck!!