As the weather gets hotter, we can celebrate the return of the bees. These pollinators are great for the environment but can be annoying for pets and humans alike.
Yep, no matter how fuzzy or cute they look, bees do sting. And unlike when the cat gets your tongue, a bee sting for your dog could be dangerous.
That’s why in this guide, we’re going to discuss how to identify bee stings in dogs and what you to do if your dog does get stung (note: Take funny pictures for Instagram is not the solution).
How to Recognize Bee Stings in Dogs
Dogs can suffer from bee stings in different ways. Like humans, dogs can be allergic to bees – making a sting much worse. For the most part, they’ll just feel discomfort like the rest of us.
As you can’t keep an eye on your pooch 24/7 and might not have the vision to see a bee come up and sting them, there are several symptoms you’ll be able to recognize. Knowing what a bee sting looks like means you can treat it quickly and alleviate your dog’s discomfort.
Like on human skin, bee stings will look red and swollen on your dog’s skin. They might come up in hives and suddenly be really itchy too. If the reaction is particularly bad, your dog might be in a lot of pain, and as a result, might seem to be whining or yelping for no apparent reason.
A bee sting to the leg or body shouldn’t be too bad, but the reaction can be much more intense on the face – or worse, in the mouth. If your dog is stung on his nose or eyelids, this can potentially cause breathing issues and pain, so these should be treated as soon as possible.
If you think your dog may have had a bad reaction to a bee sting, take them to Kelly Crossing Animal Hospital or another vet in your area.
Bee allergies in dogs
As mentioned above, if your dog is allergic to bees, their reaction will be much more intense. They may suffer from a loss of appetite, vomiting, or even collapse.
What to do
Remove the stinger
Although tiny, a bee’s stinger will continue to release venom into your pooch until it’s removed. So it’s important to find it as soon as possible and remove it. You might need to use tweezers for this bit! Alternatively, you can scrape the stinger off with plastic to avoid squeezing out any venom.
Cool the area
Use ice to soothe the stung area. While this will calm your pooch and reduce the swelling, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog for the next few hours to identify any concerning changes in behavior.
Protect
Protect the wound from infection, dog licks, and scratching. If the sting is particularly irritating, your dog could easily lick the stinger and get stung again. It’s also important to stop them from irritating the area while it’s trying to heal.
Try not to panic if your dog gets stung, and it’s much better to stay calm and keep a level head so that you can look after your pooch till they feel better.
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