Strange swelling on my dog's head and neck?

Question

My 18 month old chihuahua got up this morning with swelling on his neck. It spread up to his eyes with no difficulty swallowing, eating or change in personality.   He doesn't seem to be in any distress.  My husband gave him Benadryl and the swelling subsided for the most part.  About 6-8 hours after the initial dose of medicine, the swelling is now localized to his forehead (he looks like a unicorn) and a little bit under his neck.  It is all soft tissue swelling.    

There has been no change in his daily routine.  He's not running a temperature.  There does appear to be a little redness under his fur in that area, but he seems asymptomatic except for the swelling and some minor redness.  

Any idea what it is or what causes it?

Thanks.

mama woof · Accepted Answer

Has he had a recent lepto vaccine? They are notorious for  causing reactions in chihuahuas.  Sometimes their neck and face swell so much that they need breathing support.

Give him a second dose of Benedryl to take away the rest of the swelling.  As long as he doesn't seem to have an infection, you can be pretty secure in the fact it was an allergic reaction to something. Perhaps he had a bee sting or spider bite or some other irritation.

arkiemom · Answer

It sounds like a wasp sting or something similar.Apparently you did the right thing to give the Benadryl. I would still check with your vet. Most will give you advice over the phone if you are a regular patient.

? · Answer

I'm sure the vet can help you with this. We can't possibly diagnose your dog over the internet.

redd_rvt · Answer

Sounds like an allergic reaction to something. 

Get him to a vet. Benadryl will help but not cure. Once it wears off it could return.

Benadryl dosage: 2-4mg/kg every 8-12hrs. 
(Divide his lbs. by 2.2 to get his weight in kgs)

Kit_kat · Answer

SOUNDS LIKE A BEE STING OR SPIDER BITE AND AN ALLERGIC REACTION.
KEEP AN EYE ON HIM AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO CALL TEH VET TO BE SURE AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY.
tHE SMALL DOGS ARE SO HARD TO TREAT MAKE SURE YOU DON'T OVERDOSE WITH BENADRYL

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Bitter Truth · Answer

It's called a vet. USE it.
you damned dog owners who use yahoo to find out what's wrong with your dog kill me.

if it was a kid, would you take it to the doctor or ask a bunch of internet surfing retards??

poetcomic · Answer

it sounds like a bite, maybe a spider bite. i'd call the vet.

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Strange swelling on my dog's head and neck?

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