As often as I come on here to learn from the knowledgeable posters and experts, one would think I would have done so tonight. My dog Nikki had been not herself today, kind of hiding and sleeping a lot. Tonight she peeked out at me from under the coffee table and her face was so swollen I freaked out. Her muzzle was a least double in size and it was swollen around her eyes, etc. I grabbed my purse, a bottle of Benadryl and jumped in the car and raced to the emergency animal hospital. I knew I could give her Benadryl right then, at least one - but I didn't trust myself and was too panicked to come online.
Anyway, as broke as I am - better safe than sorry... $219 later, they gave her Benadryl and some fluids and we are back home! :) They found a puffy red bite mark in her armpit - something bit her and she had a reaction as I had suspected.
How do these furry little beasts take over our hearts and minds so completely? The monster already went to bed, Benadryl always provides a good nights sleep!

Oh how scary!
I'm glad you did go to the vet though, it's always better to be on the safe side than risk leaving her at home and it getting worse (you wouldn't know if it was a bee sting or a snake bite)

My mums Great Dane was bitten by a snake years ago, it was very scary. The only thing that saved him was that he was bitten on the face which paralyzed him within a few minutes... it slowed his heart and stopped the poison from spreading.

I know what you mean by then taking over your heart completely, I would be completely lost without my dogs :)