Treating Puppy Hives

by lizzie
(Cali)

I have an 11-week-old English bulldog. I noticed the 2nd night we got her that she had one small bump in her side. Just a couple days after she had more bumps on her side and over her back.


I researched it online and discovered that it could be hives. We took her to the vet and he gave her an allergy shot and some pills for us to take home and give to her twice a day. It's been about 3 days now and she still has the bumps. We don't know what's causing it or what can do to help her so things bumps can finally go away!!! Please help!


Vet Comment Regarding Puppy Hives

Hello Iizzie,

Did your veterinarian agree with the diagnosis of hives in your dog? I ask because many other conditions can cause bumps in a puppy’s skin and all are treated differently. If your dog does have hives, it is important to realize that they usually develop as a result of an allergic reaction. Because the hives arose soon after she entered your home, it might be difficult to determine exactly what she is reacting to since so much changed at the same time. Is she eating a different food than previously?

If so, I’d go back to what she was fed in her previous home and see if that does the trick. You can also give her a bath in cool water using a gentle soap, wash her bedding in a hypoallergenic laundry detergent, and remove anything else from her environment that you think might be responsible (e.g., air fresheners, perfumes, cleaning solutions, etc.). If her hives disappear, you can gradually reintroduce potential triggers one by one to determine what was causing the reaction.

If your dog’s hives do not resolve, be sure to contact your veterinarian. He or she may need to run some additional diagnostic tests and/or change the way in which your dog is being treated.


Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM

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