We have a two year old female chihuahua that has a swollen lump on the front of her throat. Also, she has a smaller knot on the top of her nose. She never yelped or made any noise. The throat lump is about the size of a plum and she's scratching it. I also dont think it's a lymph node. She's acting completely normal, but looks awful. I noticed it just now and know she did not have it earlier today. Anyone got any ideas?

Scorpion or copperhead?

Give some benadryl .

labored breathing? any distress?

I really don't think it was a snake as I can't find any puncture marks and she's only like 8 lbs so I think she'd be feeling pretty bad. Like I said, she's acting completely normal. Any idea how much Benadryl an 8lb dog?

1mg per pound = 8mg = 1/3 of 25mg dipenhydramine (Benadryl)...a 1/2 tab would probably be ok. May make her a bit drowsy. You can also try heat packing it (make sure not too hot!) followed by ice (like a baggie of ice cubes wrapped in paper towels/washcloth - no ice direct on skin) to decrease swelling.

If it's not gone by tomorrow I'd have it checked out. They can aspirate it and see what's in it.

Possible salivary mucocele, go have it evaluated.

DVM

My niece's 4 month old red heeler was bitten by a copperhead last week. Her head swelled up like a mother. In 2 days the swelling moved down her neck. I never saw marks on her either. In 3 days she was back to normal. Vet did give her benadryl along with another med that made her pee (a lot).

Thanks so much for the help! The smaller knot on top of her nose is whats throwing me off. What could they have to do with each other?

[This message has been edited by LSRR (edited 6/20/2011 9:52p).]

Now her entire face is swelling up. Fml.

I put in a prayer for your pup. Here's to hoping she gets better.

Thanks. When it rains it pours. We just spent $400 on a ruptured butt gland last two weeks ago. I'm not a little dog person, but this one's not bad. Never barks and just wants to lay in your lap. I gave her the benadryl. Hopefully it helps.

quote:

---

scorpion or copperhead?

---

This is what it sounds like to me, but I'm just reading about it. Would make sense if she got tagged on the throat, possible while sleeping, then tried to smell it and got tagged again on the nose.


[This message has been edited by adpotts (edited 6/20/2011 11:54p).]

The swelling has gone down in her face, but the neck swelling is still there. I'm going to hold off on the vet just yet as she is acting fine and eating well. I'll give her another benadryl dose at 11.

So three days later we found out it was a snakebite. On the throat. Of an 8 lb dog. How it didn't kill her I'll never know. She's almost back to normal now.

[This message has been edited by Fishing Fools (edited 6/27/2011 11:38p).]

Glad to hear your dog is doing good

Sounds like a typical copperhead bite.

They heal pretty quick. Glad everything turned out ok.