Dogs are very active and curious animals. In the warm season, when bee activity is high, they can be stung by a bee. This happens often in nature. It is important to understand what to do in such cases, to be able to provide first aid and to contact a veterinarian.
Dog bee sting symptoms
In many cases, a bee sting occurs without symptoms. I.e. the animal does not react in any way and continues to behave normally. But there are cases when it is noticeable and we can identify it by the dog’s reaction. So what symptoms can we see when a bee stings a dog?
Typical symptoms:
– The dog whines, howls or barks – in general, it is very anxious.
– The dog tries to lick or scratch a specific spot on the body.
– The bite site is slightly red and slightly swollen.
– There may be a stinger sticking out of the bite site.
In more dangerous cases, the following symptoms occur:
– Severe swelling at the location of the bite.
– Difficult or rapid breathing.
– General weakness.
– Severe salivation or licking
– Vomiting and diarrhoea.
– High temperature
– Convulsions.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately. He will give you instructions on what to do and we will tell you how to give first aid.
IIf your dog has been stung by a bee, contact a veterinarian.
What to do if dog gets stung by bee
Step №1. Remove the sting
When the stinger remains in the body, it has a poison pouch attached to it. From it, the bee venom continues to enter the victim.
Therefore, if you manage to find a stinger on your pet’s body, you need to remove it immediately so that the poison stops entering the body. To do this, it is best to use something hard, thin and flat – like a credit card – and try to gently scrape the stinger off.
If you use tweezers, you risk pressing down hard on the stinger and damaging the venom sac, which will allow more venom to enter the pet’s body.
Alternatively, try flicking the sting with your fingernail. This is less likely to damage the venom sac that is attached to the sting.
You shouldn’t pinch the sting with your fingers. This will definitely get more venom into the body.
Step №2. Treat the sting site
Use an antiseptic to disinfect the wound. For example, you can wipe the bite site with chlorhexidine.
Step №3. Cool the sting site
To reduce swelling, use a cold compress. You can wrap ice cubes in a cloth, use a cloth dampened with cold water, or take a water bottle from the freezer. Apply the compress to the sting and hold it for 10-15 minutes. Try to calm the pet during this time, you can give him clean water.
Step №4. Contact a veterinarian
If you are very worried about your dog, or if he is not better after all the manipulations, call your vet. The specialist will explain whether you need to give your dog antihistamines or other medications. If required, the vet will arrange an appointment.
Step №5. Monitor your dog’s condition
For several hours after the sting, be sure to keep a close eye on your dog’s condition. If he is lethargic, has severe swelling, suffocation, vomiting or any of the other dangerous symptoms we’ve written about above, you should definitely see a vet.
The main thing with a sting is to try not to worry. These situations happen and if you approach them with a cool head, you and your dog will be better off. So try to pull yourself together and give your dog first aid. Contact your vet. Monitor your dog closely and call the vet if you have any suspicious symptoms.
Can dogs be allergic to bees?
Dogs, like humans are prone to allergies when stung by a bee. The difficulty is that allergies appear individually. For some, it is a strong reaction and for others, it is almost invisible. Therefore, if you know that your dog is allergic to a bee sting, it is better to immediately contact a veterinary clinic.
It also depends a lot on the amount of bee venom, the location of the sting and the number of bees that stung. It happens that if a dog is stung by one bee, nothing will happen. But if several bees sting, the allergic reaction will be prominent.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction in a dog:
– Swelling and itching at the sting site.
– Profuse salivation (drooling).
– Lacrimation and clear (serous) nasal secretion.
– Difficulty breathing.
– Acute pain.
– Temperature.
– Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
A very dangerous manifestation of a bee sting is Anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock is an acute circulatory failure, which is manifested by a sharp drop in systolic (upper) blood pressure below 90 mm of the mercury column. As a result, blood flow slows down significantly and hypoxia develops – lack of oxygen in vital organs. Under such conditions, the body’s systems begin to ‘shut down’ and without timely medical attention, the dog may die.
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock develop from a few minutes to 2 hours after contact with the allergen. The reaction time depends on the individual peculiarities of the organism.
Can a dog die from a bee sting?
In very rare cases, a dog can die from a bee sting. A single sting does not usually have negative consequences, but sometimes a severe allergic reaction occurs and the situation becomes threatening.
Together with the stinger, the bee leaves a special substance on the dog, which is a signal for attacks from other bees guarding the hive. Multiple stings increase the likelihood of allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock.
It is especially dangerous if the insect stings in the face. If allergies are present, swelling can cause serious breathing problems. Stings in the extremities cause much less concern.
Carefully monitor your dog’s condition for several hours after the sting. It can be especially dangerous when your pet has been stung several times at once. This increases the concentration of venom and increases the risk of an allergic reaction.
Where bees sting dogs
A bee can sting a dog anywhere. It is impossible to predict where exactly.
Let’s list the possible cases:
– During a walk, a dog may step on a bee and get stung in the paw. If you notice your dog is limping, a bee sting could be one of the causes.
– A dog may eat something outside and happen to swallow a bee. In this case, the bee can sting the tongue or throat. This is very dangerous as the resulting swelling affects the dog’s respiratory function.
– Often bees sting the dog in the nose, snout, eyelid, eye, ear, lips in the belly.
In all cases, you need to pay attention to the dog’s behaviour. Give first aid, as we wrote above and contact a veterinarian
Conclusion
It is important to remember that bees live among us and have their own defences. They have no intention of attacking on purpose. They only do so in defence of themselves and their colony. After being stung, the bee dies.
A bee sting is a danger to a dog. In addition to the painful sting itself, bee venom enters the dog’s body, which can cause an allergic reaction that can kill the dog.
Be aware of bee stings. Consult a veterinarian.
