American bulldog with sudden bumps

Question
I have a 6 month old American bulldog, he is utd on shots, etc, he is crated at nighttime and if we leave during the day. Today when I got home from grocery shopping and let him out of his crate, I noticed he has acquired bumps all over him! They are on his back and his legs! He did not have these bumps yesterday and the vet is already closed and are closed all weekend. Was wondering what this might be from and how to get rid of it?

Answer
Hi Tara,

Thank you for writing to me about your American Bulldog.

Since he is only 6 months old, I am going to assume that he's recently been vaccinated?  If so, this may be a reaction to the vaccinations and would require a homeopathic vet's assistance.

He might also be allergic to the food he's eating but I think that you would have seen signs of this prior to his entire body erupting in bumps.

Call your vet and see if there is an emergency phone number.  There has to be a number or place to go for life threatening or extreme conditions.  At least your vet should be available for return phone calls under these conditions.

In the meantime, you could try giving him a baby amount of benedryl, in case this is an allergic reaction.  

Has he been near any plant life that he might have had a reaction to?  Has he been recently bathed in a chemical shampoo or had frontline applied to his skin?

Think very carefully and see if you can come up with something he has come in contact with.

Keep a very careful eye on him as bumps can be just the tip of the iceberg.  I would urge you to somehow reach your vet's office or see if there is an emergency hospital within driving distance. Look in the phone book for a residential phone number for your vet.

Your dog is still a baby and it's not wise to take chances.

Best,
Shelley Davis

p.s.~  Take a look at this website:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1593&articleid=424