Many of you know that I am a beekeeper. 2 years ago, I had a very bad day when I was stung about 30 times through my bee suit and was very sick. I then got a better bee suit and carried Benadryl with me whenever I worked my bees.
Last weekend, I was stung by a bee (probably) while we were driving in an open antique car. Within 15 min, I felt light head, and could not sit up. My heart was racing and was sweating all over. Fortunately, my husband quickly got some Benadryl into me, and was eventually OK. I now have a new appreciation for my dogs and cats that experience these severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction that can involve various systems of the body such as skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular. Onset of symptoms may be suddenly in minutes or to two hours after contact with the allergy causing substance. Allergic reactions may be mild to life-threatening. When I see a vaccine reaction in dogs and cats, it is usually withing two hours.
Common skin symptoms are hives, rash, or a prickly feeling, with general flushing or skin & itchiness. Sometime swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue, or throat may occur. I had the general flushing, but not hives this time. Most dogs I see get hives, and facial swelling. The few cats I have see get itchy and a rash all over.
Common symptoms of the circulatory system are paleness/bluish color, dizziness, confusion, fainting. A drop in blood pressure, with shock or weakness may occur. I had dizziness, weakness, and maybe fainting. I do not remember. I have only seen a few animals that fainted, thank goodness.
Lung symptoms look like asthma, including shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. I rarely see this in pets.
Gastrointestinal symptoms include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Actually, GI signs very common in dogs and ferrets. I experience nausea much more the first time I got stung by those 30 bees.
Treatment of choice is immediate intramuscular injection of epinephrine, such as an Epi-Pen.
Common causes are insect stings, medications, food allergies, and latex (in humans). The most common one I see in dogs, and rarely cats are post vaccination reactions.
Anyone want to buy some beehives and equipment?
