chloelogoa

               Bee Stings               

 talalogoa

Dogs explore things with their mouths. They also defend themselves and hunt with their mouths. My own little dog will bite a fly (or a bee) out of mid air if it comes too close. This means that while humans often suffer bee stings on their feet and hands, dogs will typically suffer bee stings on their face, in their mouth and occasionally on the foot. Other locales are possible but less common.

A dog which has been stung from a bee occasionally may go into anaphylactic shock and collapse. As with people, some dogs may have an allergic reaction to the sting. In which case immediate veterinary attention is required. Likewise if the tongue is stung it will need veterinary treatment to help reduce the amount of swelling, as this could block the animal's airways. More common areas (especially) where a dog might be stung is the mouth and nose, due to the dog trying to catch the insects or the paws, while there are playing with a drowsy bee.

If the bee sting is still present you may be able to try and remove it, with a pair of tweezers by grasping the stinger itself, located below the venom sac.  If the sting just happened, don't put pressure on the venom sac, as that would "inject" more of the venom into the pet.  Apply cool compresses to the area  for a few minutes several times a day to help with any lingering pain your dog may experience. The cold should also help with any low grade fever your dog may be carrying. To help neutralize some of the acidic venom, apply a paste mixture of baking soda and water to the sting area or apply some antihistamine cream.  If your dog is stung in the mouth bathe the area with a diluted solution of sodium bicarbonate. If the sting came from a wasp then bathe with diluted vinegar. (An easy way to remember is: - B for Bee for Bicarb, V for Vasp for Vinegar.) It is extremely important to observe the area incase of any swelling that can occur. If you need more advice contact your vet for help and in cases where a dog is showing signs of pain or distress veterinary treatment is recommended.  Do not administer any medications without first contacting your veterinarian. Bear in mind the veterinarian will likely need to examine your pet before recommending medications.

Clinical Signs
The behaviour of a stung dog can be perplexing. They might bark in alarm or rub their face with their paws or on the ground. Assume a possible bee sting if they are suddenly behaving oddly after being in an area where they might have been stung.  Symptoms of allergy are difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, asthma-like symptoms,swelling beyond the area of the bee sting, losing consciousness, or excessive barking followed by fainting, Diarrhea, collapse, In some cases death. Sometimes bee sting allergy in dogs can seem like seizures.  
Treating bee stings in dogs is not much different than treating humans who have been stung. The first priority is to to assess the dog for signs of allergic reaction. Dogs can be as allergic to bee stings as people are, resulting in a life threatening situation.  If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms, seek immediate medical treatment. Treating bee stings in dogs at home will not be sufficient in the event of an allergy - it is a medical emergency.  Treating bee stings in dogs who are having an allergic reaction includes epinephrine, steroids, and/or antihistamines. If you think your dog is having an allergic reaction, phone the vet - they might suggest some medicines you have on hand which can be administered immediately and will make arrangements to treat your dog immediately.

Some First Aid Suggestions
Give the animal a PURITAN tablet. Add to a small amount of the drinking water a very large tablespoon of honey. Adding ice cubes for the dog to chew.

Washing soda rubbed onto a  sting site is also very helpful as is neat vinegar.

I had a bitch which never learnt by her mistakes, had gone rummaging in a wood and come out being chased by hornets. She was stung anywhere where there was no coat.. This saved her life, and the Vet had given her a Histamine injection which helped even more.

You can also slice a raw onion and apply to the sting as soon as possible.  

Always keep antihistamine capsules in your first aid kit. It is also available in liquid form which makes it easier to dispense.  Quick administration of antihistamine can prevent anaphlactic shock.

Check with your vet for the recommended dosage for your pet as dosage varies depending on the size of the animal.
Bee stings are acid. Remove the sting and bathe the area in bicarbonate of soda.

Wasp stings are alkali, and the sting is not left in the skin. Bathe the area in vinegar as the sting is alkaline.

One way to treat bee stings is to give the dog Benadryl (diphenhydramine) by mouth. Check with your veterinarian for the correct dose for your pet.
Typical dosages:
for cats and dogs under 30 pounds, give 10 mg...
dogs 30 to 50 pounds, give 25 mg...
dogs over 50 pounds, give 50 mg.

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Wasp Sting Remedies

Harvey Caruthers

Because they have a retractable sting, one wasp can sting an animal several times.  Each sting deliver a small amount of venom and emits a pheromone to warn other wasps that a threat is present.  This may recruit other wasps, which may sting the same victim repeatedly.  Wasp stings are alkaline but several different chemicals cause the pain felt on being stung.

There are more than 70,000 species of wasp worldwide.  Dogs and humans are stung by a small number of these.  In the UK they are usually one of two species.  There are paper wasps, which havew red-and-brown stripes, are less aggressive and found in rural areas, and the common yelloejackets, which have yellow-and-black stripes and are more widespread and aggressive.  Other species include the European and bald-faced hornet.

Wasp stings can be treated with vinegar to neutralise the alkaline chemicals present in the venom but antihistamine or steroid creams are more effective for reducing any inflammation.  Other topical remedies include lavendar oil and mint leaves.  As well as reducing the pain and swelling, it is important to check that the dog is not suffering from a more widespread reaction to the sting.

Affected tissue may swell significantly and the airway may narrow causing the animal distress. As well as medication for the pain and swelling a vet will occassionally administer a sedative to calm a fearful dog.  Frequently and especially in young dogs, wasp stings occur around the muzzle, eyes and in the mouth or throat, but an anaphylactic (hypersensitive) reaction is rare.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times & Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750


Wasp Warning


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