An insect bite in dogs can often be recognized by a sudden yelp, noticeable licking of the affected area or limping. Wasp and bee stings are usually harmless, but sometimes they can be life-threatening. Then it is important to act quickly.
What does an insect bite on a dog look like?
As with us, an insect bite is mainly noticeable through redness and swelling, but also itching. However, the bite site is difficult to find under the fur. As this offers quite good protection, bites here are also rather rare. Dogs are more susceptible to insect bites on the stomach and other less hairy parts of the body, such as the head. It can also happen that they are stung in the paws. It is also difficult to find a bite site here. It can be dangerous when dogs snap at insects and are stung in the mouth area. If the animal is a bee, a stinger including a venom blister remains. Wasps, bumblebees (only females) and hornets, on the other hand, pull their stinger out of the wound and can sting repeatedly. However, they usually flee after an attack.
Symptoms of an insect bite
If it is just a mosquito bite, it may itch a little, but it will only show as a small red dot. The situation is different with a wasp sting. This can lead to much more pronounced symptoms:
- Round redness around the sting site
- Possibly significant swelling
- Severe itching
- Painful yelping
- Limping when stung in the paw
- Licking the puncture site
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing if bitten in the nose or mouth
What to do in the event of an insect bite?
Whether wasp stings, bee stings or hornet stings - in most cases these are relatively harmless. If you can localize the sting site, check to see if the stinger is still there. If so, you should pull it out using tweezers, for example. However, be careful not to crush the venom blister, which could make the symptoms worse. If you do not have (pointed) tweezers with which you can do this, use a(butter) knife or a nail file to scrape away the stinger.
In the case of a wasp sting, you won't be able to see anything at first, but a small swelling and redness will often appear relatively soon. If the sting doesn't seem to bother the dog much and it is behaving normally, you don't need to do anything. However, to be on the safe side, keep an eye on him for a while to make sure everything is OK.
If the sting seems to be very itchy, you can use an onion as a household remedy, as we do. Cut it open and then cut it into a grid shape. This allows the onion juice to penetrate. It cools and has a slight disinfectant effect. The same applies to Fenistil. You can also use this if your dog has been stung by a wasp or other insect.
Possible dangers from an insect bite
An estimated 95 percent of all insect bites in dogs are harmless and do not require a visit to the vet. However, there are also cases where this is urgently recommended.
These include bites in the mouth, throat, throat or tongue. Swelling of the puncture site can lead to breathing difficulties and symptoms of suffocation. If you suspect or have observed a sting in this area, you should not let your dog out of your sight for a while. Keep calm, however, as your dog will sense your excitement and also panic. If possible, cool the area around the puncture site with acool pack or a cold pack wrapped around it. If the sting is inside the mouth, you can try to cool the area with an ice cube to suppress swelling as much as possible. If this does not work and your dog shows changes in behavior (agitation, restlessness, increased salivation or panting), take him to the vet immediately.
The second major source of danger from insect bites is an allergic reaction. This is very rare, but cannot be ruled out. In this case, an anaphylactic shock is triggered by the sting. Symptoms may include both shallow and rapid breathing, trembling, staggering, fever or faintness. If you suspect a shock, every minute counts. Pack up your dog immediately and drive to your vet or the nearest veterinary clinic. If the vet confirms the suspicion that the dog is allergic to insect bites, you should have an emergency medication in stock for the future.
How can insect stings be avoided?
The risk of being stung by wasps and other insects is particularly high in summer and fall. This is when the colonies have reached their full size and their numbers are particularly high. You can never rule out a sting. The dog only has to lie down in the meadow where there is a bee and it will sting. However, you can reduce the risk of a sting. These include, above all, the increased risk of being stung in the mouth area. Prohibit your dog from snapping at insects right from the start, even if it's just a fly. Say "no" or "off" immediately if you observe this behavior. In this context, it is also beneficial if you do not practise snatching treats from the air with your dog.
As far as food is concerned, you should avoid feeding your dog outside, as this can attract insects. The same applies if your dog is fed wet food indoors and has not completely eaten it. It is better to remove it. You should also check the water bowl occasionally, as insects can fall into it and pose a source of danger.