What to do if your Dog is Stung by a Bee?

Dogs love to explore their surroundings and are naturally curious creatures.

Whether it is a new toy, a new person, or even birds and insects, your canine companion will always want to investigate the world around them. These fluffy creatures are so used to exploring unchartered territories that sometimes they may encounter a bee, a wasp, or even a Hornet. Startling a bee or stepping on it can result in an unexpected sting that can leave your dog in pain. Keep reading to learn more about bee stings in dogs and how you can ensure that your pet gets through this situation with minimal suffering.

Understanding bees and their stings

As a dog parent, it is important to understand that there are multiple types of insects that can sting your furry pet. Honeybees, wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets are the different types of insects that can sting your dog. A honeybee can only sting once. Honeybees have a barbed stinger, which results in their death after stinging as the stinger and venom sack are ripped from their abdomen. However, other species such as wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets do not have barbed stingers, which allows them to sting multiple times.

Dog and bee encounters

In most cases, bees and other insects do not sting until they are disturbed or attacked. So, if your dog got stung by a bee or a wasp, there could be multiple reasons. Dogs are naturally curious and love to examine any living beings near them. While doing this, they may startle a bee or get too close to it, which can result in a sting. Your dog could also get stung by a honeybee or a wasp if they accidentally stepped on them.

How to know if a dog was stung by a bee?

Here are signs that you should look out for if you suspect that your dog was stung by a bee:

• Limping, whining, or yelping
• Swelling
• Drooling
• Scratching, licking, or chewing the stung part
• Hives
• Sensitive to touch

In some cases, a honeybee sting can be severe or can trigger an allergy. Here are a few signs of a severe reaction:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty in breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Gagging
• Dizziness
• Rapid breathing

A bee sting can sometimes occur inside your dog’s mouth. In some cases, dogs can also end up swallowing the bee. Here are a few signs that your dog has swallowed a bee or that a sting has occurred inside its mouth:

• Licking its lips repeatedly
• Drooling
• Wheezing or restlessness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Repeated head shaking
• Coughing and gagging

First aid for bee stings

Here is a quick look at how you can help your pet if it has been stung by a bee.

Step 1: Remove the stinger

Try to locate the injury on your pet’s body and examine if you can spot a stinger. If you’ve found a stinger lodged in your dog, grab a pair of tweezers and slowly remove the stinger to cut the flow of toxins that are being injected into its body. You can have a friend or family member comfort your dog while you do this.

Step 2: Calm your dog down

If you feel that your dog is eventually getting back to normal and is not exhibiting any signs of increased pain, then you should focus on making it feel more comfortable. You can pack a cold towel on the area of the sting and prevent it from licking or scratching the affected area. Cuddles are always helpful too!

Step 3: Call the vet

If your dog was stung by a bee, call a veterinarian once you’ve removed the stinger and placed a cold towel on the bite to calm the pain down for your dog. Inform your vet about the bite site, let them know how your dog is reacting, and ask them about the next steps. Your vet may give you a few medicines to calm your dog down. Keep in mind the symptoms of severe reactions that your vet informs you about, so you can monitor your dog's behavior and take it to the vet as soon as you suspect any triggers.

Step 4: Monitor your dog’s behavior

Monitor your dog’s behavior to understand what’s going on in their body. While in most cases, bee stings are not severe and the pain dies down eventually, some dogs may have a severe allergic reaction after a few minutes of being stung. Look out for symptoms of an allergic reaction that are mentioned above (vomiting, difficulty, breathing, or gagging) and take your pet to the doctor if necessary.

Veterinary care

Here are some signs that indicate the need for professional medical attention:

• Difficulty and breathing
• Restlessness
• Severe swelling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive yelping or whining

Your veterinarian will suggest the best treatment option based on your dog's condition. These treatments may include:

• Complete clinical examination to check for any signs of anaphylaxis
• Anti-inflammatories
• Antihistamines
• IV fluids
• Oxygen therapy

Preventing bee stings in dogs

Bees are quite important for our environment and cannot be avoided entirely. However, there are certain steps you can take to keep your dog safe. For example, if your dog loves playing in the yard, you can try to make your yard less attractive to bees. Plant more fertilizing flowers or plants with a strong smell, such as mint, citronella, eucalyptus, and cloves.

You can also train your dog to avoid bees or areas that have a lot of bee activity. Don’t encourage your pet to chase flies or snap at them, as sometimes it can be a bee that may leave a painful sting. Walk your dog on a leash in parks or unknown areas to make sure that it doesn’t put its nose everywhere. You can also speak to your veterinarian for common over-the-counter antihistamines that can help for minor strings if you and your dog spend a lot of time at gardens or parks, where there is regular bee activity.

So, if your dog gets stung by a bee, you’re all ready to tackle the situation with this guide. While bee stings in dogs can be difficult to prevent entirely, always remember that acting on your dog’s condition quickly will make things easier for it and result in a speedy recovery.