Warm summer days lure us outside – and our dogs are part of it! It goes without saying that our four-legged companions are curious to see who is humming and humming around them. In doing so, they often come too close to some defensive flying insects. At the latest when dogs snap at bees and the like, they will definitely defend themselves. What to do when they stab.
Symptoms of bee or wasp stings in dogs
Often a yowl is the first sign of a sting: the dog is frightened by the unexpected pain. If you search your four-legged friend, you will recognize the sting as a small red area that can swell. Perhaps your dog is trying to scratch or lick itself there. Bees don’t dig through long fur to sting, but they can. For example, if the dog has sat on the insect – these stings are hard to find. Mostly, however, the insects sting in exposed areas: on the face, on the paws, or the pain-sensitive nose. After all, these are the body parts that dogs use to get too close to you.
Help, my dog was stung!
A frightened yowl and the desperate look of your four-legged friend, which is surrounded by a wasp, make it clear: He has a sting! Above all, stay calm so that your dog doesn’t get hectic either. Usually, there is no need to worry and the sting will be forgotten after a few minutes.
Here’s how to help your dog after a sting
If a yellow-black-striped flying insect has stung your four-legged friend in the paw or fur, cool the sting if possible. You can use a cool, damp cloth or an ice cube wrapped in fabric for this. The pain usually disappears quickly and the sting is forgotten after a short time. Pay close attention to your dog for the next hour. Like humans, animals can develop allergic shock – more on that later.
Various remedies for bee and wasp stings
Bees can only sting once: their sting remains in the skin and the bee dies as a result. If you see a bee stinger in the skin of your animal companion, carefully remove it with your fingernail or a piece of paper. Since wasps do not pay for their counterattack with their lives, they sometimes sting multiple times. If you know that your four-legged friend is allergic to a sting, speak to your veterinarian about possible remedies that can help immediately after a sting. Antihistamine drops should be mentioned here, for example. They prevent the formation of histamine, which triggers allergic reactions. However, the drops only help with minor allergies. By the way: hornet stings – which belong to the group of wasps – are very rare. They are more painful and lead to greater swelling. Nevertheless, they are not more dangerous.
Do homeopathic remedies help?
It is usually not necessary to reach into the homeopathic bag of tricks to treat insect bites. If a sting becomes infected and swells up, you can ask an animal health practitioner for advice. A simple home remedy can help if your four-legged friend has a painful sting or multiple stings: Mix water with a little baking soda and apply it to the affected skin. This has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect.
Stings that are dangerous to the dog:
You should introduce your four-legged friend to the vet if the puncture sites become inflamed, hot or wheals develop there. But there are situations that make a visit to the vet necessary immediately after the sting:
A stitch in the tongue, mouth, or throat
If your four-legged friend was stabbed in the mouth while snapping at bees and the like, you should introduce them to the vet. Because if the mucous membranes swell, life-threatening breathing problems can occur. If the insect stings in the throat area, this is life-threatening even without an allergic reaction. You should also seek veterinary advice if you have stitches close to your eyes or in the nostrils.
The dog gets an allergic shock
If the puncture site swells or your dog even has breathing or circulatory problems, take him to the vet. Speed ​​is of the essence because it could be an allergic shock. If your vet is closed, go to an emergency veterinary clinic. Keep your dog’s airway clear along the way. This may mean having to pull his tongue out of his throat if he is about to choke on it. If the sting is in the throat, external cooling can help. Be careful not to put yourself in danger.
This is how you prevent bee and wasp stings in dogs
Unlike bees, wasps also attack meat. If possible, do not feed your four-legged friend outdoors. If you do, do not leave the meal longer than necessary. Because wasps could perch on it and stab the dog in the mouth when it comes back to the bowl for a lookup. When taking a walk, make sure that your four-legged friend does not go on an exploration tour in the immediate vicinity of beehives or wasp nests. Stop targeted hunting or snapping at bees and wasps from an early age whenever you observe your dog.
