What to do if your dog gets an insect bite
During spring and summer, insects are buzzing around, and it's common for our four-legged friends to get too close. Dogs being stung by wasps, bees or bumblebees is a common occurrence, so it's worth knowing what to do, especially during the warmer months.
A bee or wasp sting will hurt your dog, but it rarely makes them seriously ill. A sting can cause discomfort such as pain, itching or swelling. Some dogs can be allergic, but this is rare.
It's difficult to know if a dog is allergic to stings before they've been stung for the first time, so it's important to keep a close eye on your dog if they have been stung. If your dog becomes lethargic, has difficulty breathing, has difficulty walking, vomits, becomes severely swollen all over its body or loses consciousness, you should go straight to the vet.
In most cases, however, your dog will just show discomfort and some pain from a sting. They may start licking the area excessively where they've been stung and avoid leaning on or supporting themselves on the affected side.
You can help relieve the pain by applying a cool, wet compress and washing the area clean where they have been stung. If the sting remains, gently pull it out and keep your dog under observation for any symptoms that may indicate an allergic reaction.
