This blog post gives you information on how to deal with a dog bee sting.
Insect and bee stings are common in dogs, especially around spring and summer. Mostly dogs are stung around the mouth and paws. These dog bee stings can generally be dealt with at home if the symptoms are not serious but occasionally a vet trip may be needed.
If your dog suffers a bee sting, the sting will be left in the dog’s skin and the bee can’t sting again. Wasps are able to come back for a second go. Here are what the symptoms look like:
Mild swelling in the affected area
- Licking, biting or pawing the area
- Whining and crying
- Limping or holding up a paw
- Drooling
If your dog suffers an allergic reaction, these are the most common symptoms:
- Hives or a severe rash
- Rapid swelling around the affected area
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
If your dog shows any of these symptoms after a suspected bee or insect sting, you need emergency vet support. Do not wait until tomorrow. If your vet doesn’t have a 24hour service, contact another vet which does.
What you can do if you suspect a dog bee sting.
If there is no sign of an allergic reaction, you should do the following:
- Have a look at the affected area, if there is a stinger left behind, try to gently remove it by placing the edge of a credit card under the venom sac (yellowish blob), and very gently scraping it out. Don’t try to squeeze it with tweezers or your fingers as it could release more venom into your dog.
- Place a cold, damp cloth on the affected area to soothe the skin and reduce swelling. Alternatively, you could use an ice pack covered with a tea towel but only if your dog is comfortable with you holding it on them.
- Anti-histamines can help reduce swelling but you should contact your vet before giving your dog any medication. Your vet will advise you if an antihistamine is appropriate for your dog, and ensure you are giving the right drug, and dose.
- Monitor closely for signs of an allergic reaction (listed above) – if they are showing any, contact your vet immediately.
- Home remedies, such as vinegar for wasp stings and bicarbonate and water for bee stings do no harm, however, they may not relieve the symptoms as much as we think they do.