A Bee Stung My Dog!

by Ronel Forbes

August 12, 2023

Despite their small size, bees may be uncomfortable and even lethal. Learn how to aid a dog who has been stung by a bee.

A bee sting frequently begins as a minor curiosity. Your dog could yell or flinch unexpectedly and without obvious cause. In some circumstances, the enigma will be readily resolved. The bee will either fly away or lay on the ground. Other times, you might not see what happened until the affected area starts to swell or your dog exhibits symptoms after being stung by a bee.

Fortunately, the majority of bee stings are fairly innocuous, however, there are some rare cases. Some dogs, like some people, are allergic to bee venom, which can result in a serious, even fatal, reaction.

Please read: WHEN YOU HIT AN ANIMAL ON THE ROAD

How to tell if your dog was stung?

Whining or yelling
The impacted region is red.
Pawing or biting the area where the sting was felt
Holding up a paw (for a dog whose paw had been stung by a bee)
Unexpected swell in the affected area

How to respond if a bee stings your dog?

If the stinger is still visible in your dog’s skin, you should carefully remove it by scraping it out with a credit card or your fingernail. Tweezers should not be used since you risk accidentally injecting your dog with extra venom.

After the stinger has been removed, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the area for about 10 minutes to reduce any swelling. If your dog was stung more than once, cover the afflicted area with a thick, cool towel.

Others advise making a mixture of baking soda and water and rubbing it on the irritation. This paste is thought to both neutralize the venom of the bee and lessen inflammation. Simply combine a teaspoon or two of water with just enough baking soda to make a paste in order to make this mixture.

When you should seek medical treatment?

Make sure to watch over your dog for a few hours if it got stung near the nose or mouth. This area could experience an allergic reaction that causes extreme swelling that makes it difficult for your pet to breathe or swallow.

Other indications that your dog may be experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting include the ones listed below:

Unsteadiness or vertigo
Intense itch
Hives
Drooling (for a dog whose mouth was stung by a bee)
Vomiting
Diarrhea

If your pet displays any of these signs or has been stung more than once, you should take him or her right away to the doctor for medical attention.

Conclusion

One example of a sudden medical emergency that could cost a pet owner hundreds of pesos in veterinary costs is an allergic response to a bee sting. It serves as a reminder that purchasing pet insurance is a good method to lessen the financial burden of your dog’s pricey medical expenses.