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Date:   20 July, 2009
Focus: Small animals - dogs, cats, hamsters & rabbits

 
ALLERGIES IN A GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
Updated:  20 July, 2009
tpvets_logo.jpg (2726 bytes)2496. Diarrhoea since leaving quarantine. Diarrhoea resumed after eating Po Chai pills. Vet consulted. What caused diarrhoea?  Diet, virus or both or other causes?
A blood test showed that the female dog had very low platelet cell count and low red blood cell count too. Blood urea was elevated. The male dog was not tested and so little was known about him.

Could the Po Chai pills given 7 vials in 10 days cause this abnormal blood count? The male dog did not have so many vials as his diarrhoea was not so bad. Both dogs appeared well and active. The female and male were separated so that the female could recuperate. Some time later, the female had swollen and closed eyes during a morning walk. What should I do? 
Golden Retriever. Eyes swollen and closed during a morning exercise. Toa Payoh Vets Allergic reaction. Conjunctival edema. Golden Retriever. Toa Payoh Vets Golden Retriever. Recovered early after prompt anti-allergy treatment by vet. Toa Payoh Vets
tpvets_logo.jpg (2726 bytes)2521. Eyes swollen & closed tpvets_logo.jpg (2726 bytes)2522. Conjunctival Edema tpvets_logo.jpg (2726 bytes)2523. Prompt Anti-allergy Treatment prevents a possible death
It would be ideal to run another blood test. But was it necessary? Economics play a great part in private practice. So, I did not perform the blood test. I gave the female Golden Retriever an emergency IV drip with dexamethasone IV. Her eye swelling took around 2 hours to subside.

What if I did not give emergency anti-allergy treatment?  It was possible that she would start scratching her eyes. Her face could be swollen. Her whole body could be itchy. She might collapse from heart and respiratory failures.  By then, it would be too late and the owner may be saddened by the loss. Some doubts from family members and friends would be cast on the veterinary competence when a pet dies.   

Therefore I did not take the risk to delay treatment. At the onset of allergy, the dog definitely looked OK. Swollen and closed eyes and a bit of panting. But who knows how the allergy would develop? Therefore, it is best to give the emergency anti-allergy treatment rather than get a dead dog later.

The female Golden Retriever had no more complaints for the last 3 days and I presume she was OK. The owner was told not to give any new dog treats and dog food and vitamin supplementation. The female dog was supposed to be on Science Prescription Diet K/D for a month to reduce the workload for the kidney, but the owner was supplementing with other nutrients and dog food!

NOTE:
It is best to seek prompt veterinary attention when your dog cannot open his or her eyes as something serious is going on inside the body. Much then depends on the judgment of the veterinarian as regards the protocol of treatment.     
 

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