As usual for my first day off of the week, I did my laundry this morning and then headed to Yuma for grocery shopping. Those two duties generally take up most of the day since Yuma is 40 miles away. It was 3:00 before I got back to the rig.
Emma was chomping at the bit to get outside, and I hooked her up to her outside tie while I unloaded the car. It was a gorgeous sunny day with temps nearing 80*. I give Emma her supper at 5:00, and she somehow has a clock wired into her consciousness to know what time it is. Beginning about 4:30 each day, she comes over to place her head on my leg and stare up at me. It’s uncanny.
I eventually relent, and fix her dish to be eaten outside. She had no sooner finished eating when suddenly a gang of 50-100 bees descended upon our site. They were mostly swarming one of my hummingbird feeders, but lots were just flying around the patio area. This drives Emma nuts, and she chases them. Sorry to say she caught several in just moments. That resulted in her coughing and rubbing her face in the gravel, on the patio, and on the small rug I have outside.
The bees then left almost as suddenly as they had appeared. In the meantime, Emma upchucked her dinner and then just laid down. She appeared rather dopey for her, and her eyes were drifting shut. I was concerned.
Just then fellow volunteers Gail and Greg were returning from their evening walk. Gail was a nurse before retirement. I explained the crazy bee invasion to them and my concern about Emma. Gail suggested some Benadryl for Emma. Of course, I don’t have any of that, but she did. I covered a low dosage pill in peanut butter, but Emma wasn’t interested. Very odd for her. Between the two of us, we got it down her throat. There was no swelling evident, but I figured it couldn’t hurt.
Gail told me the pill would make Emma rather drowsy, so we got her up and put her in the rig. She was lethargic, but made it into the rig. Not sure I could carry her 45 pounds up those six steps by myself. She has had a couple of good drinks of water this evening and ate some dry toast. She seems to be more comfortable now, but I’ll be monitoring her through the night. As much as I gripe about her being a ‘wild child’, she has wormed her way into my heart. It was a scary evening.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Scary!!! Sending healing energy for Emma and you. Hope everything is back to normal in the morning!!xx
ReplyDeleteThose bees sound like the wild ones, I sure hope Emma is okay:)
ReplyDeleteHope Emma is her old self by morning. All those bees would spook me, for sure. Sally has that same internal clock. 5 PM is her normal supper time, and she pacing the floor and making a pest of herself every day by 4:30.
ReplyDeletePoor Emma! She must be allergic to bee stings, I'm glad you were able to get some Benedril into her. I hope your night goes well and you both wake up in the morning back to normal. I don't know what's going on with the bees this year. I've never seen this in the past three years I've been here. Today there was one in my rig, and I'm always careful to keep the doors closed. Luckily it went out when I opened the door.
ReplyDeleteOh yes scary. Two or three bee stings and I'd be just like her. I'll be waiting to hear that she's OK. I thought she was a real sweetie when I met her. Give her a hug for me. What kind of bees are these?
ReplyDeleteLook for Benadryl disolveable strips...they easily dissolve in the mouth and hit the blood stream quickly. I have been able to avoid using the expensive sting kits on several occasions. Even if I did need a nap. Hope she is feeling better soon. Poor sweet Emma!
ReplyDeleteHope Emma will be OK by tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea to keep a small stash of benadryl tabs on hand. What if the bees got you? Any number of issues can arise in a real hurry and benadryl is very effective, if you don't have any problems with the ingredients in it. I hope Emma is okay now - maybe she will keep her distance from the bees.
ReplyDeleteHope Emma is doing better. Bee stings can be very scary especially if you are allergic to them. Glad there was a Nurse close by. Give Emma a hug from the Smeal Gang.
ReplyDeleteBenedryl works wonders on strings and allergic reactions. I keep it on hand for just these things. Poor ol' girl (that would be Emma). :- ) Hope she's okay. Can anything be done about the invasive bees?
ReplyDeleteNot sure if Benedryl works on strings, but it does work on STINGS! :- )
ReplyDeleteEver since Skittlez got stung in Florida we have never been without Benadryl. Sure hope Emma is doing much better tomorrow. Scooter's back legs gave out on her this morning and we're not sure she'll recover. Going to try acupuncture.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping Emma is feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a frightening experience for you and Emma. You did the best thing for her. I sure hope the bees have decided to leave - for good!
ReplyDeleteWhen Millie got stung a few years ago, I gave her some Children's liquid Benadryl (thinking an adult dose would surely be too much for her). After a few doses, her inflammation went away and she recovered within a day or so. Well, fast forward to last Fall. When the vet discovered another cancerous mast cell tumor (and I decided that Millie did not need another round of aggressive cancer treatments), the vet prescribed some surprising over-the-counter drugs for her to take instead--- 6 Benadryl tabs per day plus 1 Pepcid AC tablet! Guess I really did not have to fear giving her too much Benadryl! They also have not made her sleepy or posed any side-effects. Emma, obviously would never need so much, but I agree with the others above, having some Benadryl tabs on hand is some easy "first aid" if either of you should ever need it again. Most drug stores sell the generic version for only a few dollars.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is allergic to bee and wasp stings, I know exactly how she feels! Hope she's better by morning!
ReplyDeletewww.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Such a scary thing to have happen. Glad your friend was there with the benedryl. Hope Emma is feeling back to normal in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI hope Emma is feeling better, already! Benadryl is a definite must have in your first aid kit; for both you and Emma!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well this morning... how scary. Our daughter gives her little dog Benadryl for his allergies - I'd never have thought of that.
ReplyDeleteHope that Emma is feeling better this morning.
ReplyDeleteI used to give my Airedale benadryl for allergies and it's one of the best, safest and non habit forming sleep aides out there. I used to take it a lot when I traveled two-three times per month--it helped me fall asleep in hotel rooms and go back to sleep when someone slammed a door, etc. We also gave benadryl to older patients in the hospitals as regular sleeping pills frequently make the elderly confused and wild! Hope Emma feels better soon!
ReplyDeleteWe always keep Benadryl on hand, having a grandchild with multiple allergies. I never thought of giving it to animals until daughter had her recent move from NJ to PA - a 3 hour move. She had one cat house that went crazy when put in a carrier. Plus a feral cat who has hung around the house for 10 years or so. Never more than 100 feet away. Daughter called Vet about meds. He told her give them dose of benadryl. Both cats did well on the ride. And Miss Kitty the feral is doing great in the new location - never more than 100 feet from the house. Thinking Emma is lucky that someone suggested the cure.
ReplyDeleteI hope Miss Emma is feeling better this morning. Poor thing. I'm glad someone was there to recommend the benadryl and help you carry her inside. They sure do worm their way into your hearts, don't they?
ReplyDeleteSure hope Emma is feeling better this morning. Our cats are always chasing bees but haven't caught one yet. Wonder if Emma will stay away from them from now on.
ReplyDeleteScary indeed. I hope alls well now.....
ReplyDeleteA human can react to bee stings, but when a dog who doesn't weigh much gets stung, it's dangerous. Hope she is all better...Our dog Gypsy used to try to eat firecrackers when they went of...not a good trait.
ReplyDeleteHope she is feeling better. We know who pets can worn their way into your heart. After all the name of you blog subject that you are traveling with her, not that she is traveling with you, if that makes any sense to you. Not sure it makes any sense to me!
ReplyDeleteWow, that really is scary!!! :cO Poor Emma, hope she bounces back to her normal self quickly.
ReplyDeleteBenadryl should do the trick. My cat gets it any time she has a shot. She's sensitive that way.
ReplyDeleteChildren's Benedryl is a staple in our doggie first aid kit. Glad she is okay and yes indeed - scary. Wasn't the bee killer dude supposed to be by?
ReplyDeleteScary indeed! Sadie never stopped snapping at bees, despite, or maybe because of, being bitten more than once. They made her so angry! Hope Emma is her happy self again!
ReplyDeleteEmma! you rascal dog! jeeeeeez that's scary ... I'll be thinking of you and Emma ... sigh!
ReplyDeleteWhen we had our golden retriever, Sheba, she swallowed a few bees one time. They stung her inside the mouth and she swelled up like a balloon. We gave her Benadryl also. It really helped. Hope Emma is doing much much better today. Very scary when our pets don't feel good.
ReplyDeleteNice Post.Thanks for Sharing this in your Blog
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