A daily walk is vital for our dogs, but we all know there are all sorts of ways they can get themselves into mischief while outdoors!
Their curious nature and desire to sniff everything means they often end up sticking their noses into things, and sometimes that can result in a nasty surprise, such as a bee sting.
Insect bites and stings are common in dogs during the summer. They’re most often stung or bitten around their face or paws and in most cases, these are fairly mild and can be managed at home.
Some of the symptoms you might notice if your dog has suffered a bite or sting include:
· Mild swelling in the affected area
· Licking, biting or pawing the area
· Whining and crying
· Limping or holding up a paw
· Drooling
If you notice any of these then have a look through your pet’s fur – if they’ve been stung by a bee there may be a stinger left behind. However, if you see a stinger left in their skin it’s important not to try and pull it out with tweezers or your fingers – this could squeeze more venom into your dog and cause more pain. Instead, try taking the following actions:
1. Place the edge of a credit card under the venom sac (yellow-ish blob) sting, and gently scrape out the sting.
2. Place a cold, damp cloth on the affected area to sooth the skin and reduce swelling. Antihistamines can also help to reduce swelling, but it’s important to speak to your vet first. They can advise on what type of medication might be appropriate, and what dosage is safe for your pet.
Home remedies, such as vinegar for wasp stings or bicarbonate and water for bee stings, won’t do your pet any harm. However there’s little evidence that they are effective in relieving symptoms.
If your pet has suffered a bite or sting, it’s important to monitor them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions are fairly rare, but they can happen. Signs include hives or a severe rash, rapid swelling around the affected area, rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse. If you notice any of these things then call your vet straightaway.
Thankfully, most pets will only experience mild symptoms, and after a few hours will be feeling much better.
For more information on keeping pets safe over summer, visit
www.pdsa.org.uk/summer-hazards-for-pets
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