dog with hives

Question
My 12 week old Catahoula/pit mix dog developed hives within a few hours of being treated with Frontline Plus. I assumed it was a reaction to the medicine, but it has now been almost two weeks and she still has them. Could it still be the Frontline causing the reaction? I've been giving her Benedryl and she hasn't seemed too bothered by them other than itching a bit, but this morning they seem to be worse - especially on her groin and armpit areas and she's not as spuky as usual. I'm wondering if she is having an allergic reaction to something else.

Answer
While I have never heard of a dog getting hives from Frontline,(it's a nerve toxin) nothing surprises me. Have you called your vet about this?

I would bathe the dog to remove as much as you can of this stuff and then keep her on the Benedryl to see if that helps. She made need a shot of some steroids from the vet to get her past this. Benedryl will make them drowsy just like it does us, so that could be her lack of spunk.

There are a lot of dogs being bitten by ants and bees right now all over the place and that will cause this kind of reaction also. You might want to look around your place and see if there are any hives or ant hills about.

Since the hives have not let up in two weeks I think the bathing would help and then you would know if the Frontline is the cause.

I hope she gets well soon. Please let me know what you find out and if the bathing helps.