I have never even thought much about bee/wasp stings and reactions to them. I have been stung myself many times and it hurts very badly but once the pain stops, it's ok and I go on. I have heard of people having reactions to them and even needing epi-pens in case they are stung. I have had a dog get stung, have a big swollen lump and they lick it lot and within days, it's gone. As I said, once initial pain is over, it's ok. There are over 3000 species of bees just in the USA.
Bees build nests under eaves or anywhere they can get under for cover. Also, nests can be found in bushes and in the dirt under grass.
Some say try to find the stinger and remove it. With fur, I didn't see any stinger nor did I on her muzzle although honestly, I wasn't looking for one.
Bees build nests under eaves or anywhere they can get under for cover. Also, nests can be found in bushes and in the dirt under grass.
Some say try to find the stinger and remove it. With fur, I didn't see any stinger nor did I on her muzzle although honestly, I wasn't looking for one.
Symptoms that your dog may have been stung and having an allergic reaction are:
- Cold limbs
- Collapse
- Convulsions
- Drop in blood pressure (anaphylactic shock)
- Death
- Kidney damage
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling
- Excessive licking
- Facial swelling
- Hives
- Lethargy
- Itching in areas like groin, ears, and/or muzzle
- State of confusion
- Nausea
- Pale gums
- Paw chewing
- Restlessness
- Runny nose
- Shock
- Skin rash
- Sudden defecation or urination
- Vomiting
- Watery eyes
- Weakness
This is my story and first experience with a bee sting allergic reaction (9-3-2019):
My dog Sydney is a big girl. She is like the other dogs, goes out and lays in the sun and soaks up the rays. My dogs don't stay out too long due to it being so darn hot in the summer...and of course, afraid they might miss Mama inside doing something. All the dogs went outside like normal to go pee when we woke. About 45 minutes later, I heard Sydney in the kitchen making noises. I didn't think too much of it but got up and went in there to see if she was ok. She looked at me as if she was fine. About 30 minutes -1 hour later, I heard her panting. This went on for a little while. So I went in the kitchen where she was laying and turned on light and looked into her face. OMG, her left side (my right) of her muzzle was beet red and swollen. It hit me then, she must have been stung by a bee.
My dog Sydney is a big girl. She is like the other dogs, goes out and lays in the sun and soaks up the rays. My dogs don't stay out too long due to it being so darn hot in the summer...and of course, afraid they might miss Mama inside doing something. All the dogs went outside like normal to go pee when we woke. About 45 minutes later, I heard Sydney in the kitchen making noises. I didn't think too much of it but got up and went in there to see if she was ok. She looked at me as if she was fine. About 30 minutes -1 hour later, I heard her panting. This went on for a little while. So I went in the kitchen where she was laying and turned on light and looked into her face. OMG, her left side (my right) of her muzzle was beet red and swollen. It hit me then, she must have been stung by a bee.
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Then I noticed her ears red and she looked miserable. This was about 2 hours after the sting that I realized what was really happening. She was panting and wheezing. I could hear her nose gurgling and she would let out a groan. I checked her temperature and it was in normal range. I gave her Benadryl (tabs) and grabbed my Calendula cream and rubbed it into her muzzle where it was swollen. She was shaking and her legs were cold to the touch. So I put a blanket over her. She isn't a cold dog. She's always hot blooded so this wasn't normal. We then took a nap and she was moaning throughout her sleep..like dreaming. I couldn't sleep so I got up and looked at her again. Her entire muzzle was beet red and even the bottom of her chin. Her eyes were red and swollen around them. She was wheezing and moaning. I also did give her two large capsules of activated charcoal, just in case poison was involved.
Her stomach had hives on it. I gave her more Benadryl.
When it came time to eat, she wouldn't even hardly eat the cooked chicken breast I was giving her and she loves cooked chicken. I then scrambled her some eggs and she ate those. Later on, she started going in and out the doggie door. I stuck right with her every step. She vomited a total of three times overnight. She pooped a lot but the stools were firm. One poop though was a foul odor and had some slight mucus in it. So I gave her a dose of Pro Pectalin (contains probiotics and Kaolin-used for diarrhea but I used it to calm her GI tract.
Also, I had an RX from Diamond (same weight as Sydney) back when she got sick. I never gave her the drug because she had already stopped vomiting from an injection the vet had given her. It was for backup purposes. The drug is called Cerenia. It has some risky side effects but I had hoped the one pill would do the trick. I was exhausted at this time. It was 4am and she wasn't doing so well.
Also, I had an RX from Diamond (same weight as Sydney) back when she got sick. I never gave her the drug because she had already stopped vomiting from an injection the vet had given her. It was for backup purposes. The drug is called Cerenia. It has some risky side effects but I had hoped the one pill would do the trick. I was exhausted at this time. It was 4am and she wasn't doing so well.
Sydney was exhausted as well. She was struggling just to walk. We had been up all night long with this in and out the door stuff. She was drinking tons of water and peeing at the same time. I was extremely worried about her kidneys. I had no clue why a bee sting would cause so much chaos and wondered if something else was triggered.
So the next day, again no appetite. She looked better but still wouldn't eat and still drinking a ton of water and peeing. I thought, we can't do another night of this and not knowing how serious this may be, off to the vets we went. Vet did blood work, took her temperature, and did an x-ray of her stomach to rule out any obstruction.
Blood work didn't come back until next day but the vet informed me an allergic reaction could trigger all of these problems. I was totally unaware. When we finally got home from vet clinic, I ended up going ahead and giving her another dose of Benadryl, just for my own satisfaction in case these symptoms reared their ugly head again. She pee'd every 10 minutes and drank so much water I was starting to wonder if she was going to be waterlogged. I was filling her water bowl up constantly
So the next day, again no appetite. She looked better but still wouldn't eat and still drinking a ton of water and peeing. I thought, we can't do another night of this and not knowing how serious this may be, off to the vets we went. Vet did blood work, took her temperature, and did an x-ray of her stomach to rule out any obstruction.
Blood work didn't come back until next day but the vet informed me an allergic reaction could trigger all of these problems. I was totally unaware. When we finally got home from vet clinic, I ended up going ahead and giving her another dose of Benadryl, just for my own satisfaction in case these symptoms reared their ugly head again. She pee'd every 10 minutes and drank so much water I was starting to wonder if she was going to be waterlogged. I was filling her water bowl up constantly
I spoke to the vet on her blood work the next day and her kidneys were fine as well as her pancreas. So this was all from the bee sting. Remember that dose of Benadryl I gave to her just because..I am so glad I did. An hour after I got off the phone with the vet, she wasn't outside 5 minutes and came back in. I noticed a lump on her head. She didn't move or act funny from it. I was like..now what. Within 30 minutes, right below the bump... her right eye inside eyelid was swollen and pooching out. And again, she was panting. I knew right away it was another sting. I looked for bees and nests and everything and found nothing. I gave her more Benadryl right away. After she calmed down, we took a nap and when we woke, her eye looked great. I gave her her regular food (raw diet-cooked when she's sick and doesn't feel like eating) and she gobbled it all up. Every single bite. Her water intake slowed down and the peeing as well. She was starting to act more normal. I believe from the second bee sting, her recovery was much faster due to already having the Benadryl in her.
What's funny is, I never keep many drugs on hand. But for some reason I had some Benadryl in my cabinet. The package was even outdated. Expired drugs aren't bad. They just might not work as effectively if old, especially if they have been exposed to any extreme temperatures or moisture. And they worked just fine for me. From now on, I will keep plenty on hand and watch her closely when outdoors. Clearly, she had a reaction to the bee stings and next time can be even worse. I know the signs now when she's been stung. She has bounced back quick and to her old self within 24 hours.
Now it is recommended to use a liquid Benadryl as it might take effect much faster. I myself prefer the caplets. It's easier. Also, since they are very small and I needed 2 1/2 caplets, I had on hand some EMPTY large capsules. I crammed all 2 1/2 caps into this capsule and shoved it down the side of her throat. She's horrible at taking medicine of any kind so one time down the throat was so much easier. (She will grit her teeth, clamp down those jaws, and not let me in-LOL). She's such a stubborn girl. I also gave her CBD oil during all of this to help with pain, nausea, and calming effects.
The dosage for dogs using caplets is 1 mg per lb of dog, so a 60 lb dog gets 60mg. Give it at least 30 minutes to kick in.
If you prefer to use liquid, use the children’s liquid formulation of Benadryl (the dye-free version), it should not contain alcohol or Xylitol and be sure to check the ingredients on the box to confirm this. At the standard concentration, every 5 mL of liquid contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine and can be given at a dosage of 0.4 mL/lb.
To help you with dosing amounts..use these calculators at Veterinary Place.
(Use caution, some may or may not contain Xylitol. Read labels)
The dosage for dogs using caplets is 1 mg per lb of dog, so a 60 lb dog gets 60mg. Give it at least 30 minutes to kick in.
If you prefer to use liquid, use the children’s liquid formulation of Benadryl (the dye-free version), it should not contain alcohol or Xylitol and be sure to check the ingredients on the box to confirm this. At the standard concentration, every 5 mL of liquid contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine and can be given at a dosage of 0.4 mL/lb.
To help you with dosing amounts..use these calculators at Veterinary Place.
(Use caution, some may or may not contain Xylitol. Read labels)
When Do Pets need Epinephrine (a.k.a..Epi-pen)?
Epinephrine is primarily used for pets suffering from anaphylaxis (severe, immediate allergic reactions to insect bites, drugs, and other allergens) and for cardiac resuscitation in dogs, cats, and other pets.
Depending on your dog's allergic reaction and the severity, your vet may administer an injection of Benadryl also known as diphenhydramine, possibly a steroid shot and once stable, will do an exam including blood work to rule out other problems.
Recovery time is good if you are able to get treatment for your dog immediately. Now that you know your dog is allergic to bee stings you will have to take extra precautions when outside. To reduce your dog's chances of bee stings, be sure to keep your grass cut short and do not let your dog stay outside without you in case she/he is stung again. Your vet will probably advise you to keep Benadryl or an epinephrine pen (epi-pen) for your dog in case of another episode. Speak to your vet about epipens, as they require a prescription. Large dogs can use an adult EpiPen and medium dogs can use a child EpiPen.
Epinephrine is primarily used for pets suffering from anaphylaxis (severe, immediate allergic reactions to insect bites, drugs, and other allergens) and for cardiac resuscitation in dogs, cats, and other pets.
Depending on your dog's allergic reaction and the severity, your vet may administer an injection of Benadryl also known as diphenhydramine, possibly a steroid shot and once stable, will do an exam including blood work to rule out other problems.
Recovery time is good if you are able to get treatment for your dog immediately. Now that you know your dog is allergic to bee stings you will have to take extra precautions when outside. To reduce your dog's chances of bee stings, be sure to keep your grass cut short and do not let your dog stay outside without you in case she/he is stung again. Your vet will probably advise you to keep Benadryl or an epinephrine pen (epi-pen) for your dog in case of another episode. Speak to your vet about epipens, as they require a prescription. Large dogs can use an adult EpiPen and medium dogs can use a child EpiPen.
If there is a shortage, acquire one for your dog if your dog has had a severe reaction like mine or worse. The price range on these are around $150-$400 at this time. Although epipens come with expiration dates, it is known that as long as they are not cloudy looking after sitting on shelf, then they are still good even if they are past their expiration date. So this may save you some money. They do make a generic version so ask your vet to check on these if the epipen is not available. Always keep Benadryl on hand as well wherever your dog goes.
If you have a new dog or puppy, you may want to check into pet health insurance. Check with the company to see if they cover epipens for allergic reactions. If your dog does have an allergy to bee stings, the insurance may not cover pre-existing conditions. Call them and ask.
Holistic And Organix Pet Shoppe
If you have a new dog or puppy, you may want to check into pet health insurance. Check with the company to see if they cover epipens for allergic reactions. If your dog does have an allergy to bee stings, the insurance may not cover pre-existing conditions. Call them and ask.
Holistic And Organix Pet Shoppe
