Dog stung by bee on paw skin#

If your pet exhibits signs of shock, do not hesitate-head to the nearest animal ER. Their gums turn pale as they lapse into shock. Pets may have vomiting and diarrhea, seem disoriented and weak, show difficulty breathing, or even collapse. These usually happen shortly after the sting-within minutes. Just as in people, some dogs are allergic to bee venom and can have a sudden and life threatening reaction to a sting. Less common but more severe than local inflammation is a true anaphylactic reaction, and this is a medical emergency. Having your pet evaluated by a veterinarian is never a wrong choice if you feel your pet’s swelling and discomfort is significant, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, particularly when swelling in the head area is involved. When Should You Take Your Pet to the ER for a Bee Sting? If the swelling or pain does not improve or continues to worsen, make sure to talk to your veterinarian. Swelling is usually mild and resolves within a day or two. Over the counter Benadryl can also be helpful, but make sure to call your vet before administering Benadryl, as the proper dose depends on the weight of the pet. Wash the area with cool water and soap, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling if the pet will stand for it. The second most common reaction after pain is localized swelling in the area of the sting. Using a credit card or something similar, it’s best to remove the stinger by using a scraping action, as pinching the stinger can actually squeeze more venom into the wound.

Dog stung by bee on paw skin#

If you can locate the stinger, remove it immediately, as it can continue to release venom into the skin for several minutes. Most bee stings cause localized irritation and pain, so you will notice your pet pawing at his face or licking his toes-the two most common places for them to be stung. For this reason, it is best to remove the stinger as quickly as possible-which is easier said than done in a pet with lots of fur. The stinger is fed by a venom sac, which can continue to pump venomous apitoxin into the wound even after the bee has detached. When a victim is stung, the stinger remains in the wound, killing the bee. What Happens During a Bee Sting?Ī honeybee’s barbed stinger is actually a modified ovipositor. If they are exceptionally unlucky and their exploring brings them in contact with a nest, they can be the victim of multiple stings.

While we humans often get stung on our extremities, dogs experience a disproportionate number of stings right to the face. That’s when you realize it isn’t dust motes he’s going after-it’s bees, and he just found out what happens when you get one in your mouth.ĭogs are particularly prone to this unpleasant encounter because they explore the world with their noses, bringing them in close proximity to bees, wasps, and hornets. After a couple of minutes of this, he sits on the grass and starts pawing his face. It’s a sunny afternoon in the backyard and your dog is happily prancing about, seeming to snap at bits of dust in the air.