What to do for a bee sting on a dog?


  • Nelson,
  • March 16, 2022,
  • 4365

Bee and wasp stings can be painful and frightening for a dog. A single bee sting will produce pain, swelling, redness, inflammation. If your dog is stung, follow these steps: Carefully remove the stinger with tweezers.

Are bee stings bad for dogs?

Most of the time, an insect sting is just painful and irritating for your dog. Getting stung several times, or stung inside the mouth or throat, is dangerous and requires a trip to the veterinarian. Bee and wasp stings are poisons.

What to give a dog for a bee sting?

If your dog is stung, follow these steps:

  • Carefully remove the stinger with tweezers.
  • Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the site of the sting.
  • Apply an ice pack to relieve swelling and pain.
  • Ask your vet about giving your dog a dose of oral antihistamine.
  • Give your dog fresh water and watch them carefully.

What are the symptoms of a bee sting in dogs?

Symptoms your dog has been stung by a bee or wasp

  • Whining.
  • Holding up a paw (if stung on the paw)
  • Limping.
  • Biting or nibbling where the sting went in.
  • Drooling.
  • Pawing at the face or mouth.
  • Swelling.
  • Hives (red, swollen, itchy skin)

Do all dogs react to bee stings?

In general, there is no way to predict if a dog will have an allergic reaction to a bee sting, or whether it will be mild or severe. Some dogs have no reaction to an initial sting, and a severe reaction to the next. If your dog has more than one severe reaction to an insect sting, address the issue with your vet.

What happens when a bee stings a dog?

Dogs who have been stung by bees can experience very mild allergic reactions to very severe anaphylactic reactions. Mild reactions include: Sudden onset of yelping, whining or limping. Licking, chewing, pawing, or scratching at the bite site.

Can bee stings harm dogs?

In some cases, however, your dog may be allergic to the poison that is injected by the bee or wasp sting. If not treated this could result in a severe reaction or even death. If your dog is stung somewhere like the throat or mouth, or stung several times in one go, contact your vet as soon as possible for advice.

How to treat a bee sting on a dog?

What to Do if Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee or Wasp

  1. Carefully remove the stinger with tweezers.
  2. Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the site of the sting.
  3. Apply an ice pack to relieve swelling and pain.
  4. Ask your vet about giving your dog a dose of oral antihistamine.
  5. Give your dog fresh water and watch them carefully.

What is the fastest way to cure a bee sting?

To treat a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips:

  1. Stay calm.
  2. Remove the stinger.
  3. Wash the sting with soap and water.
  4. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
  5. Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication.

Does toothpaste help bee stings?

There's no real scientific evidence that toothpaste can help bee stings. However, people claim that the alkaline toothpaste (high pH) neutralizes the acidic honey bee venom (low pH). If this is true, however, toothpaste won't work on wasp venom, which is alkaline.

Does Benadryl help with bee stings?

Taking an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or a nonsedating one such as loratadine (Claritin) will help with itching and swelling. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin)for pain relief as needed. Wash the sting site with soap and water.

What does a bee sting look like on a dog?

Generally, bee stings on dogs look like small areas of swelling that may also be red or warm to the touch. If your dog is stung by a bee, she may be sensitive if you try to touch the area. Dogs are most likely to be stung on their face, though stings can occur anywhere on the body.

What can you put on a dog bee sting?

What to Do if Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee or Wasp

  • Carefully remove the stinger with tweezers.
  • Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the site of the sting.
  • Apply an ice pack to relieve swelling and pain.
  • Ask your vet about giving your dog a dose of oral antihistamine.
  • Give your dog fresh water and watch them carefully.

author
Nelson

Hi, I'm Nelson. I've been a professional dog trainer for over 20 years, making my living teaching people how to train their dogs and helping them overcome their struggles with unwanted behaviors like pulling on the leash or not coming when called. I've owned several successful dog training businesses and have trained dogs for movies and TV shows. I've also been on local television and in a variety of magazines.

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