When your dog gets stung

In summer your dog may easily get stung by a bee or wasp. This is particularly true if your dog snaps at all sorts of insects, including bees and wasps. Moreover, your dog may have an allergic reaction to the sting. 

In most cases, however, there are no serious consequences, only short-term pain. When my lucky dog got stung on the outside of his mouth, he scratched himself for a while, but in a moment he wanted to be friends with another wasp. 

The situation becomes dangerous when a dog develops an allergic reaction, gets stung multiple times, or gets stung in the snout, tongue or even the throat. Puppies and small dogs are at the greatest danger because of their size, which means a higher ratio of toxins to body weight. 

They will often get a stinger on the bottom of their paw. In this case especially it's necessary to remove it as soon as possible. Don't use tweezers to avoid squeezing more toxins into your dog. Instead, try to carefully remove it with your nail, for example. 

In most cases, if any treatment is needed at all, all you need to do is treat the wound with vinegar or a special gel. Cooling the affected area will also help for just ten minutes to a quarter of an hour. There may be rapid swelling in the area of their mouth, where attention should be paid to the sting due to potential breathing problems. If you notice swelling of the tongue, snout, or eyelids, go to the vet immediately. 

As mentioned, a sting is occasionally followed by an allergic reaction. This may result in vomiting, excessive salivation, swelling or even unconsciousness. Moreover, symptoms are likely to worsen with each additional sting. Therefore, if you have already experienced an allergic reaction in your dog, ask your veterinarian what medications to prepare for the next case.

I hope you and your four-legged partners remain free of stingers this year, and if you do get stung, that there's no reaction.