QuestionQUESTION: i have a 8 mounth old staffy, I've come across a real problem. she was poisoned or so we think about two months ago. that was an over night vet visit with a $700.00 bill. now yesterday she had the same reaction. she gets red all over,a glossy look and seems to be dizzy. i don't know if she is getting poisoned or if it's an allergic reaction to something around the house
ANSWER: Unfortunately, whether it is poisoning or allergies, the vet is the only person that is going to be able to determine that for you. If you have not yet taken your dog to the vet, you should do so immediately. If she has been poisoned, it is imperative that she be seen as quickly as possible. If it turns out that she has not been poisoned, but is having an allergic reaction to something, they will need to run a series of tests to determine what is causing her reaction.
To me, though, it does not really sound like a normal allergy. Unless she only comes into contact with the allergen sporadically, she should exhibit typical allergy symptoms (like rashes, itching, etc) all the time, not just here and there. The fact that she is displaying these symptoms so far apart makes me think that she got into something poisonous.
Some things you may want to keep in mind that may help your vet diagnose the dog's problem:
Is there any chance she could have gotten into a chemical, like a cleaning agent, weed killer, etc?
Has she been uprooting plants around your yard? (Many plants commonly used in landscaping are poisonous to dogs...like elephant ears, lilies, azaleas, daffodils, etc)
I wish there was something I could tell you that would help you, but really there isn't much else I can say. I really think you should call your vet.
Also, for future reference, if you catch her getting into something (or you can identify what she got into) and she has the same reaction, there is a poison control center for animals. This is the # for the ASPCAs poison control hotline- 1 888 426 4435. They are there 24 hours a day, but the cost for a call is $50. Kansas State University also has a hotline. They are also there 24 hours a day, and their services are free of charge. That number is 1-785-532-5679 (daytime) and 1-785-532-4100 (after hours help desk).
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QUESTION: first off, thank you for all your help. my mom who was puppysitting at the time took her in for me. the vet has had no idea what is happening and has said that they will not find the cause unless it affects her organs. we have gotin' her to the vet in time to not hurt anything permanently. i was wondering if i need to take her to another vet because they don't seem like they want to help?
AnswerIf your vet does not seem concerned about your dog, find another vet. I know that vets have extensive training and that, for the most part, they really know their stuff. But, let's face it...they are human. They aren't any more immune from errors or misjudgement than any other person. If you were sick and your doctor wasn't handling you the way you thought he/she should, you would find another doctor, right? So would I. So would anyone else. Same thing goes for the vet. If you are not comfortable with the care that your dog is getting, look for another one. There's no harm in it at all. Good luck! And if I can help you with anything else, let me know.
