Mary Allen
It is easy for the dog to step on a bee or a wasp, for example on clover flowers in the lawn. Of course, it hurts, but how dangerous is it really? And what to do if the dog gets stung in the mouth?
In general, it can be said that if the dog only gets a single bee or wasp sting, it is usually harmless. It hurts, it may swell at the bite site and become a sore redness on the skin, but rarely gets worse than that. You can help the dog by cooling the bite site, for example with a cooling lamp in a clean sock (you should not place the cooling lamp directly on the skin). Rinse the wound and if the sting remains, remove it, but do not try to squeeze or suck out the venom.
The Allergic Reaction Shows Up Quickly
But just like in humans, there are dogs that are extra sensitive. If your dog is allergic, the reaction appears quite quickly after the sting. The dog is generally affected, may vomit, have difficulty breathing or swell severely.
Excessive swelling can be a risk even if your dog is not allergic, especially in the mouth or throat. Then the swelling can make it difficult to breathe. If your dog is stung many times or in the throat, keep it under close observation and contact a veterinarian immediately if it is affected.
Beware of Ground Wasps
If the dog happens to step into a wasp nest, the aggressive wasps can fly up and sit together, almost like a blanket on the dog, and then there can be many stings. Dogs with thick fur can survive relatively unharmed on the fur-clad parts of the body, but for thin-haired, it is worse. The more stings, the greater the risk of an allergic reaction. Always contact a veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has received many bites.
It is Important to Rule Out Viper Bites
It is not always easy to see if, or where the dog has been stung. That it suddenly licks intensely on, for example, a paw can be a clue. It is also difficult to know what stung the dog; a bee, a wasp, a brake – or could it actually have been a viper? If there is the slightest suspicion of snakebite – contact a veterinarian immediately. A snake bite can be very dangerous with symptoms that do not appear until after a while.
Do Not Leave Food in Front
Since wasps are drawn to meat, it is wise not to leave the dog’s food in front, especially if it is fresh food. Keep an eye on the dog when it eats. The same applies to bone marrow and the like. Do not leave them out if there is a risk that wasps want to get a taste.
Also, try to get the dog to stop chasing flies and other flying animals. Some dogs do learn to distinguish between butterflies, flies, and wasps, but not all.