Content
- Normal and allergic reaction to bee stings
- remove the stinger
- wash and soothe the area
- Baking soda and aloe vera
- follow up
Does your dog like to play outdoors? Puppies are animals that adapt perfectly to family life for several reasons, also because, like us, they are very sociable and enjoy leisure time.
Outings during the hottest times of the year require special attention, as, among other factors, we must be aware of the degree of hydration of our pet. However, in the summer there are also other dangers such as some insect bites.
To prevent in case it ever happens, in this PeritoAnimal article we will explain it to you what to do if a bee stings your dog.
Normal and allergic reaction to bee stings
Only female bees can sting, leaving the stinger in the skin to die later. When faced with a bee sting, the first thing you should do is distinguish a normal reaction from an allergic reaction, as allergic reactions mean a great danger and should be taken care of as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
In a normal reaction you will see a skin inflammation with an increase in temperature and a whitish tint. The inflamed area will have a more reddish circular shape around it, and will always be accompanied by signs of pain.
On the contrary, the allergic reaction to the bee sting is perfectly distinguishable because it does not only present local symptoms, but also systemic symptoms that affect the whole organism. A dog with an allergic reaction to a bee sting may have the following symptoms: disproportionate inflammation, lethargy, fever and difficulty breathing.
Depending on the area where the bite occurred, the inflammatory reaction can obstruct the airways and cause asphyxia. You will notice the lack of oxygen in the color of the mucous membranes which may become pale or bluish. Hence the importance of go to the veterinarian immediately if you experience an allergic reaction.
remove the stinger
If the reaction to the bee sting is normal, the first thing you should do is remove the stinger, the sooner you do this, the more you will recover the area where the sting occurred.
He must remove the stinger quickly but very carefully, since this structure contains a large part of the venom and if we do not do it correctly, we could help to release the venom and increase the inflammatory reaction.
The stinger must not be removed with tweezers, you must use a ATM card or one that is hard. Remove the dog's fur to have a good view of the affected area, with the card carefully drag the stinger until it is completely out of the skin.
wash and soothe the area
then you should wash the area with warm water and neutral soap for dogs. In order not to aggravate the inflammation, you should avoid rubbing, clean as gently as possible. Rinse your skin to make sure no soap remains.
Then you should resort to something very efficient for the inflammation and pain to start to decrease quickly: a application of local cold.
Wrap some ice cubes or a cold gel bag to freeze in a towel and apply on the affected area for approximately 15 minutes, you can also do this same application with cold compresses. Cold has a vasoconstrictor action, so it reduces inflammation and the pain associated with it.
Baking soda and aloe vera
A home remedy you can use in case of a bee sting is sodium bicarbonate, it is especially useful for calming these types of injuries. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and apply the mixture to the affected area. You should do this right after applying the cold.
For aftercare a good option is the pure aloe vera gel, which has many benefits to take care of your pet's skin.
follow up
It is important to carry out periodic cures for the bite until the lesions caused by it have completely disappeared, however, if the following day does not improve, it is recommended to consult the veterinarian.
The veterinarian will be able to advise you on the possibility of applying antihistaminesor topical anti-inflammatory, through ointments or lotions. In more severe cases, topical treatment can be performed with cortisone. Now you know what to do if your dog is stung by a bee.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.