If your pup gets stung by a bee or wasp while out on a walk or playing in the backyard, try not to panic. Bee strings are common in dogs, especially during the warmer months. Unless your dog has an allergy or gets swarmed by lots of bees, they’re likely to only experience mild pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Dogs are most commonly stung on their paws or inside their mouths. Humans know not to mess with bees and wasps. But dogs see insects flying through the air and want to play, so they end up trying to bat at them with their paws or trying to eat them.
Usually, a dog stung by bees or wasps can be treated at home. But some cases are more serious. It’s important to keep an eye out for allergic reactions and take your dog to the vet if you see any concerning symptoms.
Are Bee Stings Dangerous for Dogs?
Most of the time, a bee sting won’t cause serious harm. But bee stings can be dangerous for dogs with allergies to bees. More serious symptoms may also occur if your dog is stung multiple times by a swarm.
Mild Reactions
The majority of cases will be mild. In these instances, with basic care and comfort, your dog should heal on their own within a few hours.
Stings in Sensitive Areas
The impact of a bee sting can be more serious depending on where the sting is located. For example, stings on the snout, throat, or eye area can cause swelling that obstructs breathing or vision. If your dog is stung in a sensitive area and has excessive swelling, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet.
Allergic Reactions
Like humans, some dogs are allergic to bees, which can lead to a more severe and potentially dangerous reaction if they’re stung. In these severe allergy cases, your dog may be at risk of going into anaphylactic shock.
Multiple Stings
Multiple bee stings can be more dangerous than one, and may result in more aggressive swelling. The cumulative venom of multiple stings is also more likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Like humans, dogs may develop an allergy after being stung. So even if they didn’t have a reaction the first time, it’s important to keep an eye out for symptoms of allergies in the future.
Signs of Bee Stings in Dogs
If you see your dog get stung by a bee, it’s important to treat the site of the sting and monitor them closely for signs of allergic reactions. But in many cases, you won’t actually witness your dog getting stung. It’s crucial to know the symptoms of bee stings in dogs so you can identify a sting.
Common Signs of Bee Stings
Even mild stings can cause minor pain, irritation, and inflammation in dogs. The following symptoms are common and generally nothing to be seriously concerned by:
- Swelling or redness at the site of the sting
- Pain and sensitivity
- Localized heat
- Whining, especially when you touch the area
- Licking, biting, and scratching at the site of the sting
- Hives (raised bumps or welts near the area)
- Pawing at the site of the sting
Signs of Allergic Reactions and Anaphylactic Shock
The biggest concern for a dog stung by bees is the risk of allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis in dogs include:
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Severe rashes or hives
- Fast heart rate
- Pale gums
Anaphylaxis is a life threatening condition. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should take them to a vet immediately.
Steps to Take After Your Dog is Stung
1. Stay Calm
Always try to remain as calm and collected as possible after your dog gets stung. Not only will this help you more accurately assess the situation and make better decisions, but it will also comfort your pup.
2. Try To Remove the Stinger
If your dog was stung by a wasp, there won’t be a stinger left behind. But bees leave their stingers in the skin. It usually looks like a small black dot left behind at the site of the sting. Finding the stinger can be difficult if your dog has a long or fluffy coat. But removing the stinger quickly can help alleviate pain and reduce the amount of venom.
Avoid using tweezers to try to remove a bee stinger. With tweezers, you tend to end up squeezing the stinger and injecting more venom. Instead, use a straight-edged object like a credit card.
3. Clean and Soothe the Area
Once you’ve removed the stinger, clean the sting site with mild soap and water. Then, apply a towel-wrapped ice pack or other cold compress to the area. This can help reduce pain and swelling caused by the sting.
You can also mix water and baking soda together into a paste and apply it to the sting. This can help soothe pain and neutralize the venom left behind by the stinger. Also consider asking your vet about giving your pup an oral antihistamine like Benadryl to help relieve itching and swelling.
4. Monitor Your Dog
Make sure you keep a close eye on your dog after a bee sting, especially if they’ve been stung near the mouth, nose, or eyes. Monitor them closely for several hours to ensure they’re not struggling to breathe or swallow and you’re not seeing any signs of an allergic reaction.
Take your dog to the vet immediately if they show any symptoms of anaphylactic shock.
5. Contact Your Vet
Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of a serious reaction, it’s a good idea to call your vet and let them know what happened. They can provide additional advice and resources to help the healing process and prevent future stings
Final Thoughts
We all want to keep our four-legged friends safe and happy. It’s always best to try to prevent stings from happening in the first place by keeping your dog away from nests and training them to not eat insects.
But bee stings can happen to any dog, especially during the spring and summer months. If you notice signs of a serious reaction, you should get your dog to a vet as quickly as possible. But in the majority of cases, simply treating the sting site and offering comfort to your pup is enough to help them through it.