This post was supposed to be about more winemaking technique. Or maybe about my latest adventures in cooking and canning with the produce I’ve grown. Instead young Oscar got stung on the nose by a wasp and precipitated a tour of Sonoma’s veterinary clinics in search of a place that would take him on an emergency basis.
It all started as I chatted with John the Baptist and we plotted our usual strategy to capture Oscar so he didn’t run out the gate in an attempt to follow John home. (John, as loyal readers will know, is a huge favorite with everyone. But no one more than Oscar.) Suddenly Oscar came running in and jumped in my lap. That’s not normal behavior. Usually, when it’s still light, he has to be bribed in with squeeky toys and food. Oscar’s not going to give up a moment of playtime in Sonoma. He knows stepping into the barn means someone is going to lock the doors and maybe take off to town without him.
But now here was Oscar looking like one of those big-eyed Keane paintings. Then we noticed his nose visibly swelling and a puncture mark down by his nostril. We quickly checked him over to see if there was a second puncture, which might have meant a rattlesnake bite. Luckily we didn’t see one, but the swelling seemed to be getting bigger by the minute.

Here’s Oscar’s expanding nose.

Because the swelling followed the contours of the black stripe along his muzzle, it looked even worse.

Just for reference, Lucy shows what a normal, non-stung muzzle looks like.

Now Oscar’s nose was getting alarmingly large. And it was itchy too.
Luckily, Good Dr. Rosner at the Sonoma Veterinary Clinic was able to get Oscar in immediately. After a couple of injections, the extraction of a half inch stinger and an hour’s observation and Oscar was released into my custody.

But it’s still not a pretty sight.

It’s going to be a long night.
Oscar! You poor sweetheart! Yugi and Jigzy say they would be right over to lick your nose and make you feel better if we lived closer. So glad it wasn’t a rattlesnake – but I’m sure he’s still in a lot of pain. Feel better Oscar & I hope the swelling goes down soon!
Poor Oscar! Hope he’s feeling better soon…
Inquiring minds need to know – what was in the injection?
There were two and I know one was basically an injectable form of an antihistamine like Benadryl. In fact, the vet sent me home with a bottle of Benadryl and said, if Oscar ever got stung again, to give him two at once. Which I’m assuming is the dosage for an 18 lb. dog.
Apparently wasp stings are rarely fatal or dangerous — only to smooshed faced dogs who have breathing issues anyway. But they sure do make a canine miserable.
Abby sends get well greetings to Oscar.
Mel
Poor Oscar. Glad he is on the mend. Now he is ouchy and embarrassed. Soon it will just be a doggie dream and melt away.
Benadryl is a wonder drug. The chemist who came up with it has a building named for him on the University of Cincinnati campus. He donated money for instrument furnishings at the NKU new science building a few years ago too.
And Oscar’s new Sonoma vet just called to follow up. On a Saturday. I wonder if my PPO will cover me if I start getting my own care from a vet.
i am so sorry oscar! hurts to look at that swelling nose.
lisa…you and i may be the only people who remember keane paintings and you are way too young to know about them!
Ooh! Here is a reason to come join us in Michigan – the happy bill! http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113791908&sc=emaf
Sammie and Flash send their sympathy as well. When I saw the words “Oscar’s Emergency”, I was certainly alarmed. I’m thankful it wasn’t something worse. He will be feeling better soon, I’m sure. I wish he could know how many of us care about him. (and Lucy, too)
Frank
he was moving slow today, due to the Benadryl hangover. But he managed to chase a flock of ducks away from “his” pond. And the nose is almost back to normal now.
awwwwww…hope the little guy is doing better. And that you managed to get a good night’s rest?
Ah poor oscar
Another day or so and he should be back to normal. (We hope.)
Poor Oscar. Britta and Nutmeg send their best happy get well wishes that he will be outdoors playing again soon. Britta (the miniature Dachshund) is a magnet for mosquitos and gets bites on her forehead. We put a tiny dab of topical Benadryl on the bites to reduce the swelling. We do have to be careful not to give her enough to make her stoned.
Poor pup! I’m surprised that you were turned away by vets offices and glad you found a place that provided some relief.