Bee Stings: When Your Pet Gets Stung
Spring is right around the corner and feels like it has already arrived in some parts of the country. Here in Florida, our bees are bringing in “baskets” full of pollen of all colors—from white, yellow, and deep orange. That means bees are busy, and they are everywhere: in trees, bushes, and on the flowers on the ground. Bees that are foraging for nectar or pollen will rarely sting unless stepped on or they feel threatened by being roughly handled.
What happens during a bee sting?
The bee pierces the skin with its barbed stinger and releases venom. Bee venom contains proteins which cause an immune response. The inflammation causes pain and swelling around the sting site.
Signs that your pet has been stung by a bee can include whining, swelling, drooling, gnawing, or pawing at the area that was stung, and/or hives on your pet’s skin.
My pet got stung by a bee, now what?
So what should you do if your dog steps on a bee, or your cat pounces on one, and gets stung? If you know or suspect your pet has been stung by a bee, closely monitor them for any reaction, especially for the first hour after the sting.
The location of the sting can make a great difference in observed symptoms. If your pet was stung inside the mouth, or the bee was swallowed, they may experience:
- Shaking of the head
- Drooling
- Repeated lip licking
- Coughing or gag reflex
- Rapid breathing or wheezing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Swelling is the most common side effect and can be completely normal, so it’s not necessarily an indication of an anaphylactic reaction. You should, however, keep an eye on your pet when swelling occurs, especially on the neck or face. If the swelling persists or worsens after a couple of hours, contact your vet.
Severe swelling of the neck or face can interfere with swallowing or breathing. In addition, a pet may experience wheezing or other kinds of respiratory distress, difficulty standing, or seizures. In any of these cases, get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Contact your vet right away if your pet received multiple bee stings, since higher levels of venom can produce a severe reaction.
Is my dog going into anaphylactic shock?
The lungs, liver, and heart are all affected by anaphylactic shock. In cats, the respiratory system is the major area of impact. Unlike other domestic animals though, it’s a dog’s liver and gastrointestinal tract that are most affected by anaphylactic shock, rather than the lungs. That is why canine gastrointestinal distress is a major sign to look for in the case of a bee sting, as well as respiratory distress.
When a dog does go into anaphylactic shock, excessive levels of histamines in the body can lead to:
- Pale gums
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Drooling
- Pale gums
- Cold paws
- Seizures
- Coma
If you observe any signs of anaphylactic shock, you should visit a veterinarian immediately.
The stinger is still embedded in the skin, what do I do?
If your pet has been stung and the stinger remains behind, do not attempt to remove it using tweezers as this may force more venom into the wound. Instead, use a credit card to scrape the stinger out.
Is there anything I can do for the pain?
Applying a cold compress to the sting can help alleviate swelling and pain. Also, a diluted mixture of water and baking soda applied to the area can help reduce pain.
If your pet is licking or scratching at the sting, consider using an e-collar to prevent access to the wound, as this can delay the healing process and possibly introduce infection.
Do not give your pet an antihistamine without speaking with your veterinarian first. It’s also a good idea to call the vet ahead of your visit, in case they want you to administer medication at home—a medication that you may already have on hand.
Bee careful…(we had to get one pun in)
Even if your pet has been stung in the past and had little to no reaction, that doesn’t mean they won’t have a reaction if they’re stung again. The reverse is also true: a bad reaction in the past doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have a bad reaction in the future. But this does mean you should monitor them carefully for many hours.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution and consult your vet when your pet has been stung by a bee. Provide them with your pet’s symptoms and heed their advice.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to prevent every bee sting, no matter how vigilant you are. So we hope this information will equip you to know what to do in case your pet winds up on the sharp end of a bee.