In the summer season, when all living things are activated, pets are at risk of various diseases. Dogs can be bitten by ixodid ticks, there is a high probability of infection with skin parasites or gastrointestinal infections. But there is another danger. These are stinging insects: bees, wasps, bumblebees and hornets. Dogs love to run in green grass, and having met a hornet's nest, they probably will not resist the temptation to stir it up with curious noses.
With a bee sting, the consequences can be different: in one case, the dog will feel only moderate swelling and mild itching, after which everything will gradually pass. But in another case, complications may develop - an allergic reaction to bee venom and even anaphylactic shock. In this case, not only his health, but also his life depends on the reaction of the owner and the ability to provide the pet with first aid. After reading the article, you will learn what the consequences of an attack by stinging insects can be and understand what to do if your dog is bitten by a wasp or bee.
Bee sting: is it dangerous
During a bite, bees dig into the skin of a pet and leave a sting in it, in which there are notches and a poisonous sac. If a hornet, a bumblebee or a wasp meets not a bee on the way of the dog, they can also bite.
Dog and bee
Note! Bees do not bite but sting. They can do this only once, after which they die, leaving a sting in the enemy's body with part of their intestines.
After a bee sting, as a rule, the paws and nose of the animal swell. But other troubles may additionally develop:
- Anaphylactic - shock is a consequence of an allergic reaction to an insect bite. The main symptoms: blisters form on the skin, severe swelling of tissues and skin, wheezing is heard during breathing, vomiting, convulsions, involuntary emptying of the intestines and gallbladder, plaintive whine are possible.
- Suffocation. It's not so scary if the dog is stung by an insect, for example, in the paw. It is much worse if a honey insect flew into the mouth of a curious pet. In most cases, the dog's oxygen supply is blocked, so help is needed immediately.
- An allergic reaction develops mainly only if the dog has been bitten by several bees at the same time or with a slight difference in time. Against this background, the following symptoms may develop: severe itching and swelling at the site of the bite, disorder of the digestive tract, fever.
A slight swelling and a single squeal is a normal reaction and there is no cause for concern. If more serious symptoms develop, the dog should be taken to the hospital immediately, otherwise it can lead to death.
List of required medications
During trips with his dog to the country house or some kind of out-of-town vacation, the owner must have a first-aid kit for the pet with him. It is necessary because far from the city there may not be a pharmacy, much less a veterinary hospital, to help your dog.
REFERENCE! It is better for the owner of the dog to always have a first aid kit with him and know how to properly use its contents.
List of required medicines and other consumables:
- Medicines against allergies in ampoules, since the drug introduced into the blood begins to act instantly, and the tablet can begin to act after 20-40 minutes.
- Diuretic (also in ampoules).
- Medicines to stimulate heart activity - magnesium.
- Zelenka, iodine or hydrogen peroxide.
- Eye drops.
- Bandage, cotton wool.
- Scissors so that you can trim the coat if necessary.
- Rubber plait.
- Thermometer for animals.
The best option is, of course, if your dog is not stung by a bee. Therefore, preventive measures against bee stings should be followed. For example, try to choose places to stay away from apiaries. In addition, it is necessary not to allow the dog to run around the flower beds, as they always have an increased number of bees. In addition, it is better to clean up wasps and bees' nests if you meet them in places for people to rest. By showing your pet quite a bit of attention and care, you can save your pet not only health, but in some cases, life.
Dog insect bite symptoms
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If a dog is bitten by a bee, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the pet for some time. If alarming symptoms appear, you need to show your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Dachshund bitten by bees
A dog bee sting may be accompanied by the development of the following clinical picture:
- the dog whines and bounces off the bite site or, on the contrary, tries to attack;
- at the site of the bite, after a short period of time, soreness and swelling develop, the muzzle becomes swollen;
- if the place of the bite is in the mouth, then the palate and mouth mainly swell, the dog cannot close it, there is abundant salivation.
In the future, the symptoms develop individually. A puppy and an adult dog may have a rapid heartbeat and fever, febrile tremors, vomiting and diarrhea, unsteadiness of gait, disorientation in space.
How to protect your pet
In judicial practice, there have been cases when bees bit a dog, and the beekeeper compensated for the harm. During the honey harvest period, insects become aggressive, so the likelihood of getting a bite at this time increases several times. Despite this, it is much easier to prevent a dangerous situation than to demand moral compensation in court.
First of all, you should evaluate the environment in places of frequent walks with the dog. It is advisable to avoid being near apiaries. It is not recommended to let your pet go to berry bushes. When a nest of wild bees is found, it is necessary to destroy it in the safest ways, before the insect has time to bite someone close. It is also important to ensure that you have a first aid kit, which you should always take with you for a walk. The life of a pet may depend on the timeliness of first aid.
Allergic reaction to a bee sting
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With the development of an acute allergic reaction, it is necessary to inject an antihistamine drug into the dog's body in the correct dosage.
In case of severe reactions, intravenous administration of the drug should be preferred so that it begins to act faster. In this case, you can use:
- Tavegil;
- Desamethasone;
- Suprastin;
- Diphenhydramine.
In case of severe edema, the animal is additionally given diuretics, for example, Lasix or Furosemide.
The development of an allergic reaction to a bee sting in a dog
We are looking for the culprit
It is important to understand who attacked the companion in order to provide first aid correctly. Bees have barbs on the sting, so it stays inside along with a poisonous sac. At the same time, the insect dies, and the rest of the defenders flock to the smell of the poisonous sting.
Wasps sting more painfully and know how to bite.They have a smooth sting, so insects often attack several times. The same goes for bumblebees and hornets. The latter are more dangerous, as they are often taken into the fruit. The insect can be accidentally swallowed by the dog and injured.
Pets usually get one or more bites. Rarely, an animal is attacked by a whole swarm. However, in any case, it is important to inspect the companion and find any damage. Bites in the throat, nose, tongue and lips are especially dangerous: swelling of the mucous membrane can cause suffocation.
The main signs of anaphylaxis
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The likelihood of developing anaphylaxis increases significantly if the bite is in the pet's muzzle. The development of anaphylactic shock can be recognized by the following signs:
- the animal has a purple or blue color of the tongue;
- lethargy and vomiting;
- loss of consciousness and foam at the mouth.
If the above symptoms are manifested, it is necessary to immediately give the dog an injection of potassium chloride or "Dexamethasone" (can be purchased at the nearest human pharmacy). After the animal must be shown to the veterinarian.
When to see your veterinarian
It is imperative that you contact your veterinarian if:
- A wasp has bitten a puppy or small animal.
- The bites fell on the head and neck area. The defeat of these areas can cause the development of severe swelling, suffocation.
- When bitten in the belly area. Getting such a lesion can cause a violation of the processes of urination.
- With multiple bites.
- Insect damage to the eyes of an animal.
Immediately, you need to show the animal to a specialist if there are manifestations of the allergic reactions listed above.
The most common bite sites and first aid
If such a nuisance occurs, then first aid should be provided to the pet before going to the veterinarian.
Antihistamines for dogs in tablet form
So:
- It is necessary to find the site of the bite and carefully remove the sting from the skin, being careful not to damage the poisonous sac.
- To reduce swelling and itching, apply water-soda gruel to the bite site.
- To relieve puffiness, ice lotions can be applied to the bite site at intervals of 5 minutes.
- Give antihistamines and diuretics.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids. These manipulations, as a rule, are sufficient for bites of the tail, paw, trunk; the help of a veterinarian is not required.
Note! It is not difficult to calculate the bite site, since all the pet's attention is focused on this place. Most often, honey insects sting the paws and faces of animals.
How to know if you need help from a veterinarian
Dogs bitten by bees often need qualified help. Show the pet to the veterinarian is necessary in such cases:
- If, even before the bite, the pet had health problems, for example, senile and / or chronic ailments, reduced immunity.
- If the animal has been stung in the face or oral mucosa.
- If there is a clear deterioration in the pet's condition: severe swelling, respiratory failure, diarrhea and vomiting.
- If the animal has bitten several bees at the same time.
It is important for the owner to maintain clarity of mind at such moments and not to self-medicate.
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, he will definitely start to behave restlessly. As a rule, the affected area hurts and itches for several days. To prevent the dog from combing the wasp bite to a deep wound and introducing an infection into the bloodstream, it must be treated. This can be done with any anti-allergenic ointment, for example:
- Lorinden;
- Sinaflana;
- Fenistila;
- 1% hydrocortisone ointment.
For prevention, it is advisable to give the dog an anti-allergenic pill. This could be:
- Tavegil, Suprastin or Diphenhydramine;
- Dexamethasone or Furosemide.
The proportions are as follows:
- up to 10 kg - 0.1 ml / kg;
- from 10 to 20 kg - 1 ml / kg;
- over 20 kg - 2 ml / kg.
Please note that we have indicated only approximate dosages. A specific dose is prescribed only by a specialist after examination and weighing.
Within a few days after the incident, the weakened body should receive a lot of fluids from food. Make sure there is enough clean water in the bowl.
Likely consequences from bites
The consequences for a dog after a bee sting can be unpredictable, it all depends on the animal's body. Perhaps one of the main threats is the development of an allergic reaction. Bee allergy is conventionally divided into several types:
- Acquired. This type of allergy develops only if the pet has already been stung by a wasp, hornet or bee.
- Congenital. This form of allergy is present in a puppy from birth. The consequences, unfortunately, in this case can be unpredictable. It is almost impossible to find out about the predisposition in advance.
Consequences of a dog bee sting
Even if the pet does not have a congenital allergy to honey insect bites, the consequences can be dire, to the point that the dog may die. This is possible if the pet found a hornet's nest or provoked aggressive behavior from insects.
Prophylaxis
It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely exclude the possibility of dog bites by stinging insects (these animals are too curious and active), but you can reduce the risk:
- for outdoor recreation, choose a place away from the nests of wasps and apiaries;
- try not to let the dog into flower beds, berry bushes;
- if a nest is found in a summer cottage, destroy it, thereby protecting not only the pet, but also your family.
No matter what happens in nature, a dog will always have a much better chance of life and a quick recovery if its prudent owners have a veterinary kit with everything necessary for different occasions at hand.
