Bee Careful

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We were on a stroll with our walking buddy when James suddenly dropped to the ground and started to frantically scratch his face.  There was a wasp on his nose! 

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Within minutes, it started to swell up.   And I started to freak out.

 

His snout normally looks nice and smooth, like this:

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I checked to make sure the stinger wasn’t lodged in his skin – it wasn’t – and called our vet to see what we should do.  She suggested giving him Benadryl, as the antihistamine reduces allergic reactions.  Since our medicine cabinet is stocked with things that sound more like Gui Zhi Fu Ling and Free and Easy Wanderer (life with an acupuncturist…), I hopped in the car and rushed to the store.

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We also put some cold peas on his face.

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Within minutes, the swelling went down.  We were so relieved!  Thank goodness for Benadryl.  We’ll definitely be keeping a box around for future acute allergic reactions – dog or human.

 

After the stinger excitement, I settled down and made a lovely lunch.

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In the mix: 

 

Millet (how to prep millet)

Kidney beans

Corn relish (from Trader Joe’s)

Steamed kale and collard greens (how to prep steamed greens)

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At the last moment, I added a handful of sliced almonds to the mix.  The crunchy, salty texture and tasty of the nuts was the perfect complement to the sweet corn relish.

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Hi, ho – back to work I go!

{ 75 comments }

 

  • Kimberly August 29, 2011, 3:02 pm

    That happened to my baby girl once too! So traumatic! She got horribly swollen – she was stung hours before we were home to notice. it got worse and worse and her whole face was a puffy mess. We gave her benadryl but shes a big dog and it wasn’t enough so we had to take her to the vet for a shot. Now we keep meds on hand and keep an eye out for stingers! Poor doggies!

  • Mia August 29, 2011, 3:02 pm

    Poor puppy 🙁 He seemed to have handled it like a trooper, my dog would have been way more dramatic if she was stung by a wasp.

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic August 29, 2011, 3:10 pm

    Poor James! Glad that he seems to be doing better! Poor thing!!

  • Krista August 29, 2011, 3:13 pm

    He looks so cute in that first picture even though he’s swollen!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) August 29, 2011, 3:14 pm

    Awww poor James! Glad to hear the Benadryl worked!

    Fun fact- the day I left for HLS, I got bit by an ant when I was getting into my car to go to the gym. My arm swelled up and the entire weekend I had a huge lump on my right forearm! I was paranoid the entire weekend that everyone was staring at it. 😉

  • Leanne (Bride to Mrs,) August 29, 2011, 3:18 pm

    Poor thing! My old puppy once got stung and we felt so horrible for her… I’m so happy James is feeling better and the swelling has gone down.

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats August 29, 2011, 3:24 pm

    Oh no! Poor James! that must have been scary! Your lunch looks delicious though! How much millet do you use for one serving?

  • Stephanie @cookinfanatic August 29, 2011, 3:26 pm

    Oh no poor James!!! Glad he is okay!! Benadryl definitely does the trick, one year at the beach I had some sort of reaction to the sun or sunscreen and got hives on my arms (??? so weird) and benadryl saved the day too!

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) August 29, 2011, 3:26 pm

    Poor little guy! I have only had to use Benadryl during a time when I had a mysterious lip swelling. It made me feel like I was freefalling in my sleep if I took the full dose, but that stuff is otherwise effective.

    I hate bees/wasps!

  • Courtney August 29, 2011, 3:26 pm

    Poor James! At least the Benadryl did the trick… hope he feels better soon!

  • Jamie @ A Healthy J.D. August 29, 2011, 3:27 pm

    Aww, he looks so sad! Our dog once ate a wasp (she’s a little special) and her tongue swelled pretty badly…we keep Benadryl around for this very reason. Glad he is feeling better!

    • Carly D. @ CarlyBananas August 29, 2011, 3:29 pm

      I was just going to comment that my parents’ dog ate a wasp before and it was so scary!

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat August 29, 2011, 3:29 pm

    Poor James! He’s lucky he has you to take care of him! My pup takes Benadryl daily for seasonal allergies.

  • Kate August 29, 2011, 3:31 pm

    I have a shellfish allergy and I keep Benadryl on me all the time just in case I have a reaction from cross contamination. It’s a good thing to have and has helped me avoid more serious reactions quite a few times!

  • Kathryn @ Flopoodle August 29, 2011, 3:31 pm

    Aww poor boy 🙁 My parents little dog gets anxiety attacks, so the vet also suggested benadryl for those for some reason. It’s a good thing to have around!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg August 29, 2011, 3:32 pm

    Poor James! I’ve only been stung once and it was a long time ago — but I remember how much it hurt!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife August 29, 2011, 3:41 pm

    Awww poor thing! That must have hurt! Yikes.

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen August 29, 2011, 3:42 pm

    Aww poor James! My dog HATES bees, yesterday we were outside (dumping buckets of water from around our basement door) and saw the bees nest by our deck was apparently disturbed from all the rain and they were buzzing around everywhere. My dog came over and started to bite at them as they flew around. I figured there was no way she’d catch one but I was wrong! She ATE the bee then threw herself to the ground and started pawing at her face! I definitely thought we were going to have some sort of allergic reaction to deal with but 10 minutes later she was fine. Thank God!

    • Caitlin August 30, 2011, 9:27 am

      James eats flies 🙂

  • Allison @ Happy Tales August 29, 2011, 3:43 pm

    wahhhhhhh poor james! when anything bad happens to Happy (like, runner into a table, or doorframe) i just wince. Ryan thinks she doesn’t feel pain for how much she prances into things. I’m beginning to think the same thing… she’s quite the resilient pup!

  • Johanna B August 29, 2011, 3:46 pm

    Poor James. Kiss his snout for me. I’ve never been stung. Picture me knocking on wood here.

  • Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well August 29, 2011, 3:50 pm

    Glad the swelling went down! I’d be freaked out too. The millet recipe looks great! I really need to try that stuff.

  • Cassie @ Back to Her Roots August 29, 2011, 3:53 pm

    Poor puppy! The same thing happened to our puppy a few years ago and we had to rush out and get Benadryl. Now it stays in the medicine cabinet just for the puppy.

  • Kristy@RunTheLongRoad August 29, 2011, 3:53 pm

    poor thing!!! benadryl is a miracle worker. my dog had an eye infection and it cleared it right up.

  • Shaya (Eye Girl Eats) August 29, 2011, 3:55 pm

    Hahaha oh noooo! Poor James- I’m still scarred from my childhood wasp-stinging experiences. Evil creatures!

    Benadryl = lifesaver. AND sleep-aid 😉

  • Jeni August 29, 2011, 3:55 pm

    Looks like a perfect apres bachelorette party weekend, lunch!

  • Kelly August 29, 2011, 3:57 pm

    I love benedryl allergy- it saved me so bad when I reacted to a medicine I took after I got my wisdom teeth out. It’s also not bad for the occasional night you can’t sleep 🙂

  • Joanne August 29, 2011, 4:04 pm

    Poor James! My heart dropped when I saw his swollen nose. I’m SO glad you were able to take care of it in no time. Poor puppy. Is James also the one who had the “yak attack” at the airport? If so, it’s been a tough week for him. 🙁

  • My Blonde Moments August 29, 2011, 4:04 pm

    Aw poor doggy! Glad he’s ok, though 🙂

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) August 29, 2011, 4:11 pm

    We keep benedryl on hand for our furry one, too! Vizslas have really sensitive skin and a bee sting would rock her world. I’m so glad James is all a-ok 🙂

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga August 29, 2011, 4:21 pm

    thank goodness he’s ok! if it’s not one thing, it’s the next, right!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) August 29, 2011, 4:24 pm

    Poor puppy! I hope he’s feeling better. We used to get wasps inside our house all the time. My mom was always getting stung!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat August 29, 2011, 4:24 pm

    Aww poor James! I’m glad he’s ok. 🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever been stung by a bee or wasp but I’ve heard some nasty swelling stories and it can’t be any more fun for a dog!

  • Trainer Kjirsten @ Balanced Healthy Life August 29, 2011, 4:28 pm

    Glad James’s swelling went down! Poor little guy!

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) August 29, 2011, 4:31 pm

    We keep benedryl around for both human and animal allergies. I have two children with anaphylactic reactions to stinging critters. Plus, a food allergy baby who we’re still working with and learning her allergies. Of course, we also have a dog with issues and benedryl is our friend with her….we take full advantage of its tendency to make her loopy when thunderstorms roll through…with our vets blessing, of course.

  • Emily August 29, 2011, 4:34 pm

    Poor James!

    I’m glad he’s okay!

  • Kara August 29, 2011, 4:35 pm

    Awww poor lil guy!!! I hope he’s doing better now! My dog got sprayed in the face by a skunk and I was babying her for days even though she smelled absolutely repulsive! Haha.

    I can’t wait to try millet! And this recipe! I’m going to the store ASAP and making this! Thanks!!

  • katie @ KatieDid August 29, 2011, 4:37 pm

    I was just stuck on the side of a highway and one of my friends got stung on her leg! When it rains it pours! Poor james 🙁

  • katie @ KatieDid August 29, 2011, 4:37 pm

    I was just stuck on the side of a highway and one of my friends got stung on her leg! When it rains it pours! Poor james 🙁

  • Beth (Well I'll Be) August 29, 2011, 4:40 pm

    Poor James! I’m always scared our dogs are going to get stung, it’d be so easy not to even know it happened!

  • Reenie August 29, 2011, 4:45 pm

    Ahhh he looks scared in the first photo. I’m glad he is okay.

  • Emily August 29, 2011, 4:46 pm

    Poor James! My dog actually just got a stung by a wasp yesterday. She was laying on our deck & one landed on her arm/paw so she bit at it…and of course got stung. Poor thing was so confused- she had no idea what had happened! I immediately called our vet and was told the same thing- Benadryl. Besides some mild swelling she seems ok now, but it was definitely scary!

    PS: I’m AMAZED that he let you hold that bag of peas on his snout! Lol that definitely would not happen in this house!

  • emily August 29, 2011, 4:46 pm

    Yikes, I’m glad he is ok!

  • Laurie August 29, 2011, 4:47 pm

    Oh, poor James! I’m glad he’s going to be OK!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me August 29, 2011, 4:48 pm

    Oh no, poor James! Good thing the drugs worked. Little guy needs some TLC tonight. 🙂

  • Katie August 29, 2011, 4:49 pm

    Poor puppy! Glad he’s ok!

  • Keelie (SweatEqualsSuccess) August 29, 2011, 5:19 pm

    Poor thing! How scary! I had no idea you could give Benadryl to dogs- good to know!

    Lunch looks delish!

  • Michelle August 29, 2011, 5:23 pm

    Poor little pup! Bees (and wasps) scare the crap out of me. I can’t imagine having one on my nose 🙁 Glad James is OK!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) August 29, 2011, 5:38 pm

    awwww poor little puppy indeed 🙁 not fun!

  • Sam August 29, 2011, 5:54 pm

    Aww poor puppy. Benadryl is a lifesaver to have handy, seriously! I’ve had a few crazy allergic reactions including swelling, rashes of hives, and extreme itchiness and redness. Benadryl has always been a miracle worker.

  • Army Amy* August 29, 2011, 6:27 pm

    Poor James! I’m glad he’s ok!*

  • Rachel August 29, 2011, 6:40 pm

    Poor James!

    Our family dog gets these random episodes where she breaks out in hives and is itchy. We don’t know what causes it, but we, as prescribed by the vet, give her benadryl and it goes away in a few days. However, the first time it happened was on April Fool’s Day. We devised a plan to tell my father she was attacked by a porcupine. That morning before school, we told him and he just kind of looked at us, like he wasn’t sure what to make of it. We went to school and work thinking he didn’t buy into our joke. However, that afternoon my grandmother (his mother) called our house in a fit, completely worried about our dog who was attacked by a porcupine and we weren’t taking her to the vet! It ended up being on of the best April Fool’s jokes we ever pulled on my father, and he’ll never live it down.

    • Caitlin August 30, 2011, 9:25 am

      Bawhahah that is a pretty excellent April Fools joke.

  • Molly @ RDexposed August 29, 2011, 6:47 pm

    Poor puppy dog!! All dogs should watch Homward Bound to learn to not get near unknown animals. We all know what happens when you get too close to that porcupine! HA

  • Dominique August 29, 2011, 6:54 pm

    Oh poor James! I’m glad that he’s doing better now though. Benadryl is great for acute allergic reactions. My eye started swelling up in a movie theatre. My BF and I had to leave and run to the pharmacy to grab a bottle of the liquid stuff (pharmacist said it works faster than the pills). Now I keep a couple of pills with me at all times.

  • Robin August 29, 2011, 7:02 pm

    I’m so glad James is OK!

    P.S. Isn’t the Trader Joe’s Corn Salsa terrific? I love it on just about everything!

  • Tina - The Fit Girl August 29, 2011, 7:30 pm

    aww glad James is ok! Poor munchkin!

  • Sana August 29, 2011, 7:38 pm

    Poor james 🙁 I am so glad he has awesome human parents!

  • Dari August 29, 2011, 7:46 pm

    Poor puppy! I saw a girl walk out of a classroom today, and there was a HUGE wasp nest on the door, at least 25 wasps (how no one had ever noticed it and gotten rid of it is a mystery to me). They surrounded her and stung her multiple times =( I felt sooo bad for her. Glad she wasn’t allergic!

  • CheezyK August 29, 2011, 8:14 pm

    Poor James, glad to see he’s ok. Our big boy, Samson, ended up having to be rushed to the vet after deciding to, um, ‘do his business’ on top of a wasp nest once. It seems wasps don’t like a dog doing circles on their home, let alone what followed! 🙂

  • Jill August 29, 2011, 8:19 pm

    Poor puppy! Glad he is ok! My puppy was bitten by a snake once and was so swollen she had to stay at the hospital to make sure her throat didn’t close up. So scary! James has some really good parents!!!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss August 29, 2011, 8:26 pm

    Awww poor baby!! My dog used to herd bees. Granted, she got stung all the time.

  • Tracy @ Tracy's Treats August 29, 2011, 8:36 pm

    Aw poor puppy! That is so awful and scary, but I’m glad he’s ok!!

  • Lauren August 29, 2011, 8:39 pm

    aww, poor James!!! This post makes my heart hurt. 🙁 Hope he feels better.

  • Laura I. August 29, 2011, 9:19 pm

    Poor James–he looks like he’s saying “Mommy it HURTS” in that first picture with his eyes open so wide:-( My parents’ dog got into some sort of plant that gave her all over hives–really scared us–but Benadryl did the trick–good stuff.

  • Mary August 29, 2011, 10:08 pm

    My dog bite a bee years ago and she came in the house looking like a platypus. Our vet was just down the street so we rushed her over a they gave her a shot which got the swelling down. Poor James – glad he’s better.

  • Khushboo August 30, 2011, 1:48 am

    I’m on a major kidney bean kick these days- love it! The other I sauteed some mushrooms, peppers and kidney beans together and then topped it all with salsa. That with some roast potatoes, green beans and broccoli topped with avocado made for a fantastic, yet simple, dinner!

  • jassy @ Healthy Egg August 30, 2011, 2:37 am

    poor james, he’s the kind one right and maggie is the wild one? 🙂

  • Sophie @ threetimesf August 30, 2011, 4:04 am

    Oh no – Poor James! 🙁

  • smart kitchen August 30, 2011, 4:13 am

    This post makes my heart hurt. Glad he is ok!

  • Emily August 30, 2011, 9:58 am

    My pup got stung by something not too long ago and half of her face and ear got swollen. It is so scary! Our vet recommended benadryl too and it worked just fine. Glad James is okay!

  • Amber K August 30, 2011, 12:38 pm

    How scary! Glad everything is alright now. I always keep Benadryl (well technically a generic version) in the house, my body is always trying to react to something!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) August 30, 2011, 11:26 pm

    Ouch! The wasps are really bad in my city right now. I have one friend who was stung 5 times in one day!! It is insane.

  • Minna August 31, 2011, 3:44 am

    My mom’s dog gets stung in the nose by wasps/bees at least 5 times every summer. I swear I’ve seen this dog try to actually eat bees on more than one occasion and I’m pretty sure that’s how she gets stung so much. Anyway, when she gets stung we give her a benedryl and make her a paste out of baking soda and water and put it on over the area where she was stung (almost always her face) and it seems to help her faster than the benedryl. Hope you never have to use this advice though 🙂

  • Erica August 31, 2011, 12:56 pm

    Oh poor James! Yes, Benadryl is a good thing to have around for such things! Our German Shepherd, Hope, got bit on her snout by, what we think was probably, a snake a couple of weeks ago and her entire face swelled up. It was so scary! After making sure she could breathe ok, a friend suggested we give her Benadryl and it totally did the trick! I would never have thought to give it to the dog, but I’m so glad we could give it to her. Glad to hear James is ok:-)

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