Dog Medical Emergencies Survey: Are Bug Stings an Emergency? ~ CookingFood.Org

27.78% survey participants checked bug stings as being an emergency.

Our guys got their share of bee stings. While painful and distressing, most bug stings indeed are not an emergency.

Because the hornet stung Cookie on the face, we kept the key in the ignition and watched carefully. I gave Benadryl immediately and the swelling started going down in couple of hours. If it got any worse, we'd gone to a vet.

Last time when Cookie stepped on a bee, she was very unimpressed. She was limping, shaking her foot, I could see it hurt a lot. Typically, I give Benadryl, but because Cookie was showing major signs of pain, I also gave her one Deramaxx. (As much as I am not a fan, I keep renewing my stash, so I have some dog-appropriate NSAID on hand when needed.) That time it didn't even swell much, though some other times it did, such as when she got stung by a hornet it did swell up.

I tried and ice pack too, but Cookie hates it. I didn't want to traumatize her more in the attempt to help her.

Half an hour later she seemed back to normal. I was watching her carefully, though.

There are times when bee or hornet stings can be an emergency.

Just like with people, in some cases, a sting can cause a violent allergic reaction and even anaphylaxis. Fortunately, this is rare, but it could happen.

Swelling itself can lead to an emergency if severe and/or mouth or throat are involved.

If my dog showed any further signs beyond initial pain and moderate local swelling at the site, I'd see a vet quickly.

Allergic reactions to stings can range from mild to severe and life-threatening.

Mild reactions can include fever, loss of appetite, and mild lethargy. A moderate reaction can present with hives or swelling and redness of the lips, around the eyes and neck, This can progress to anaphylaxis. Would you want to take a chance?

A severe reaction, then, is the anaphylaxis itself. A dire emergency.

I should note that crawling insects can be even more dangerous.

A sting may or may not lead to major trouble. Spider bites, on the other hand, depending on the species, can be a major disaster depending on the species living in your area.

Be diligent, don't take chances.

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An award-winning guide to better understanding what your dog is telling you about their health, Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, is available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.