In this article we will examine bee sting in dogs in detail, from symptoms, how to recognize them and how to treat them.
As you know, dogs are active and curious creatures. And this curiosity can cause them trouble because they cannot realize the danger they face. Of course, one of these dangers is bee stings in dogs. Some dogs eat bees and get stung in the mouth. Or they are stung in the nose or paws. Of course, if your dog is allergic to bee stings, the situation becomes even more serious. So what should you do in case of a bee sting in dogs?
Bee Sting in Dogs – Quick Response
The first thing you should do in bee stings in dogs is to see if the stinger is still in the dog’s skin. If the stinger is embedded in the skin, tweezers etc. should be removed from the skin with the help of something. Even though the bee’s stinger has been removed, the stung area will continue to hurt.
Mix baking soda and water to relieve pain in bee stings in dogs. Then apply this cream to the area where the bee stung. You can apply a cold compress to the same area to relieve the pain. It will also help to reduce cold swelling.
In the case of a bee sting in dogs, if severe swelling occurs at the site of the bite within the first 5-10 minutes and the swelling continues to increase, you should consult your veterinarian and immediately check whether the dog has problems with breathing and swallowing. If these problems are present, you should take your dog to the nearest veterinarian.
If you do not encounter an exceptional situation, this paragraph will be enough for you, but if there is an exception, these precautions will not be enough. Therefore, we recommend that you read the whole article just in case.
How To Understand Bee Sting in Dogs
You can tell if a dog has been stung by the presence of any swelling on its face or body. If your dog is constantly trying to scratch its face with its paw, it may have been stung by a bee. The symptoms of a bee sting depend on the location of the bite and the severity of the sting. The most common symptoms include redness, swelling, itching and pain.
For a bee sting in dogs to be serious, they must be allergic to bees and be stung in the mouth or throat. If stung in the mouth and throat, it can cause a severe reaction and prevent breathing. In the event of a bee sting in dogs, you should go to your veterinarian immediately to ensure that treatment takes place.
The first reaction to a bee sting in dogs will usually be to react to the pain. In the case of bee stings in dogs, they may vocalize, start running, jump, lick the stung body part, react to being touched, and often touch their face with their paws.
Beware of Anaphylaxis
Like humans, dogs can have a severe allergic reaction after a bee sting. Anaphylaxis in dogs is rare, but in dogs that have been stung by multiple bees or stung multiple times over time, anaphylaxis can occur due to increased immune system sensitization. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, so it is important to closely observe the signs of bee stings in dogs. It is best to consult a veterinarian when symptoms such as:
- Swelling in the throat and mouth, making it difficult for the dog to breathe
- Vomiting
- Discoloration of the gums
- Rapid weakening
- Diarrhea
It is difficult to save dogs from bee sting in dogs. Measures for fleas and ticks will not work with bees. During the bee stings in dogs, the dogs must therefore be physically kept away from bees. Precautions that can be taken to protect dogs from bees include not letting them walk on a leash, preventing them from approaching hives, ensuring that a bee noticed in the house goes outside and preventing the dog from hunting the bee.
First Aid Practices and Cleaning the Sting Site
In case of a bee sting in dogs, you should first try to find the area where the bee has stung. If you have found the specific area where the sting occurred, you can remove the stinger with tweezers, according to PetMD. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, however, the bee’s stinger should not be removed with tweezers or forceps.
You can then apply ice wrapped in a cloth or towel to the area. It is critically important not to apply ice directly to your dog’s skin, as the tissues in the area can be damaged by contact with extreme cold.
In case of a bee sting in dogs, if you have found and removed a stinger in your dog, the next step is to call your veterinarian. Veterinarians will make the necessary referrals based on the dog’s symptoms. Close observation of the dog for several hours is critical. If the dog’s symptoms increase significantly, or if there is significant swelling on their body, they should go to the veterinary clinic immediately.
Effects of Bee Venom on the Dog’s Body
During a bee sting in dogs, the poison produced by the insect’s glandular system is introduced into the animal’s body. This moment is accompanied by painful sensations and swelling in the damaged area of the skin. If the dog is bitten by bees, you can hear the characteristic whining. The animal begins to behave restlessly. Swelling gradually forms at the site of the bite.
Bee venom entering the dog’s body causes weakness. All life support systems slow down. If a bee has bitten a dog on the oral mucosa, problems with food intake arise. On this basis, the animal’s appetite decreases. In some cases, the bite site begins to itch, which leads to scratching from the pet’s claws. Characteristic signs of the negative effects of bee venom include the following.
Are Dogs Allergic to Bee Stings?
Allergy to bee sting in dogs is the body’s immune response to an external stimulus. It develops not only in humans but also in animals. In most cases, the allergen is protein. Most often, an unwanted reaction is triggered by a bee sting. According to statistics, 40% of bitten dogs develop allergies. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Rashes on the skin surface;
- Sneezing and runny nose;
- Itching of the skin accompanied by scratching;
- Tearing
- Febrile condition.
Which Bites Are Dangerous for Dogs
You have to be careful about bee stings in dogs. But you don’t have to worry. Not every insect bite is dangerous for the animal. There are signs that indicate the development of a pathological process. If they appear, you should contact your veterinarian. Alarming symptoms include the following:
- The blue discoloration of the dog’s tongue;
- Enu from the mouth;
- Lethargic state
- Severe vomiting
- Loss of consciousness.
During a bee sting in dogs, it is particularly dangerous if the insect bites the lips, nose and cheeks. Under the influence of bee venom, laryngeal edema develops rapidly. It can lead to suffocation and death.
High Risk of Death in Multiple Bee Stings
Bee stings in dogs are not always caused by one bee. Sometimes they can suffer the wrath of more than one bee, which means that they receive a high dose of bee venom in their body, so multiple bee stings can also be fatal. Moreover, many times it is impossible to tell whether the dog has been stung by a single bee or multiple bees. Therefore, it is imperative to take a bee stung dog to the veterinarian. Otherwise, you may face the risk of losing your dog again.
How to Prevent Bee Stings in Dogs
If you have a house with a garden, you can start growing plants that are not attractive to bees, such as chrysanthemums, lemongrass or primroses. If you spend time in the garden with your dog, you can keep the bees away by burning lemongrass scented candles.
You should be careful not to leave food out in the open. Teach your dog commands such as “Stop, leave it” in case your dog pokes its nose where you don’t want it to. This way you can minimize the possibility of bee stings in dogs.
In the case of bee stings in dogs, they are likely to be stung in the face, mouth, tongue, palate, paws if they try to catch the bees and legs if they sit on the bees, so it is always good to be prepared.
What to Do If a Dog is Bitten by a Bee in the Nose
The most painful area for a bee sting in dogs is the nose. The danger of the situation lies in the possible blockage of the airways. If the swelling is severe, the dog may suffocate. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a specialist. Before contacting a veterinarian, it is recommended to independently remove the sting and disinfect the wound.
In the case of a bee sting in dogs, if the bee has bitten the nose, it is important to prevent the swelling from spreading to the respiratory system. Applying an antihistamine and a cold compress will help with this. Do not wait for allergies to develop. The most reasonable way out is preventive treatment.
What to Do If a Dog is Bitten by a Bee in the Paw
If with a bee sting in dogs, the dog can endure without complications, the attack of a large number of insects will cause undesirable consequences, this happens if a dog confuses a beehive. In almost all cases, the intake of a large amount of bee venom in the body leads to allergies.
If the bees have bitten the puppy, there will not be enough time for first aid. It is necessary to immediately take the pet to the veterinary hospital. Symptoms are relieved with antihistamines. Additionally, the doctor treats the skin with antibacterial solutions.
What to Do If a Dog Eats a Bee
Dogs love to play with various insects. Therefore, accidental ingestion of animals is not uncommon. The probability of a positive outcome in this case is extremely low. Almost always, the bee has time to bite the dog on the tongue, lip or the inner surface of the mouth. The larynx area begins to swell rapidly. The likelihood of suffocation increases.
It is almost impossible to give pills in such a situation. The best option would be an injection with an antihistamine solution. The dose is calculated according to the weight of the pet.
When Should You Contact Your Veterinarian?
In the case of a bee sting in dogs, sometimes the consequences can be managed on your own. However, it is much safer to go to the vet immediately. You should analyze the symptoms present to make the right decision. The veterinary clinic is contacted in the following cases.
- Difficulty breathing as a result of laryngeal edema;
- Several bees stinging at the same time;
- If the dog has been bitten in the face or mouth;
- Extremely weakened health of the dog.
In the case of bee stings in dogs, it may look funny next to a photo of a bitten dog. But we must remember that the animal feels serious discomfort. After visiting the veterinarian, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the pet. It is important that there is always clean water in the bowl. It is advisable to exclude from the diet foods that can act as potential allergens. In some cases, there may be a need to go to the treatment room for injections.
What Treatment Does My Vet Give For a Bee Sting in Dogs?
Your vet can give fast-acting antihistamines or steroids to quickly reduce swelling, pain and irritation. In the case of a bee sting in dogs, your vet can give your dog oxygen if it has difficulty breathing due to swelling in the throat, or cool it down if it is hot and stressed.
Your vet may also prescribe painkillers. In very rare cases of life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), your vet may prescribe adrenaline, fluid therapy and other supportive treatments.
Quick Q&A
In this section, we will address some common questions and misconceptions about the bee sting in dogs
How do I know if my dog has been stung by a bee?
The most important symptom is a sudden scream and frantic running left and right. The bite site will soon swell. Itching and redness may also occur.
What are the symptoms of bee stings in dogs?
The most common symptoms when your dog is stung by a bee include a reddened or painful area, shortness of breath, swelling, fever and weakness.
What should I do first when a bee stings my dog?
Cold application is made (cold water). Ammonia etc. is not used. If the person is stung in the mouth and breathing is difficult, the person is allowed to suck ice. Medical assistance is requested for oral stings and allergy sufferers.
When does a bee sting in dogs pass?
In most pets, reactions to bee stings are simple and go away on their own. However, you should monitor your dog or cat for a day or two while managing the swelling to ensure that more serious reactions do not occur.
Why does a dog eat bees?
While flowers and bees are inseparable, they are not good friends with dogs. Some dogs even chase bees and try to eat them when they catch them. Your curious and friendly dog can get stung on its paw, face or any part of its body while trying to catch bees.
As a Result
In the case of a bee sting in dogs, if you first see a bee stinging your dog, you will know where the bee has stung and have the opportunity to intervene before symptoms appear. After bringing the dog to a quiet place, apply a cold compress to the sting site.
It is useful to take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible before the intervention to prevent it from becoming serious. Necessary measures will be taken to prevent the allergy from becoming more serious. In the case of a bee sting in dogs, if the swelling is severe enough, the result will be worse. If you notice any of the following symptoms, which usually appear one hour after the sting.
During a bee sting in dogs, dogs bitten by a bee are more likely to have a negative reaction.
- Severe and excessive swelling of the dog’s face (not only of the lips, but also of the entire face
- Difficulty breathing, possibly due to a swollen throat
- If a very light or blue sticky substance forms on the inner lips and gums,
- If your dog’s pulse is fast and irregular,
- If there is a long capillary refill time,
You should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.