Dogs & Bee / Wasp Stings

Dogs & Bee / Wasp Stings

Our dogs love to chase down anything that moves in most cases. That is no different with insects and other buzzing animals. Trying to catch bees, wasps and flies in general can be a good source of entertainment to your dog when they spot them although they can be dangerous. A bee or wasp sting can cause an allergic reaction to your dog, in which case it is important for your dog to obey your recall. This will normally keep them out of harm's way. Unfortunately though, it isn't always possible to protect them from everything.

Usually, a sting will be painful and very irritating to your dog but not overly dangerous. If your dog is stung multiple times, this can lead to complications and ultimately be fatal. The usual areas of a dog that will be stung are either the face or paws as they are trying to get a closer look at the eventual perpetrator. Stings however can also occur in the dog's mouth or throat if they are over zealous and try to snap at the insect. This can be fairly dangerous as the throat area can swell up block the airway. If this does happen, you should contact your local vet as soon as possible.

How do you know if you dog has been stung?

  • Crying & whining
  • Reluctance to stand on a paw or holding it up
  • Biting the irritation at the site of the sting
  • Swelling around a specific area
  • Hives

How do you know if your dog is having an allergic reaction to a sting?

  • General difficulty breathing
  • Swelling around the throat or mouth area
  • Collapse

My dog has been stung, what do I do?

Firstly, try and remain calm. The majority of the time your dog will be absolutely fine. As you would if you were stung, you firstly want to remove the sting from the area. This can be done by either pulling it out or physically scraping it out with something flat. After it has been removed, bathe the affected area of the dogs skin in water. It is advisable to touch the area with only a small amount of pressure as this may cause your dog more discomfort. You can also apply ice to soothe the sting. If your dog has been stung in the throat or mouth, contact your vet immediately. This is also the case should your dog be showing signs of an allergic reaction.

Can I give my dog antihistamines after the sting?

We would recommend not to give your dog antihistamines unless your vet has explicitly told you to do so. Some of the antihistamines that humans ingest are fine for dogs however others may not be and could make your dog extremely ill. If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team contact us here.
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