The wasp sting is generally harmless to the dog. However, swelling may occur when the sting is done on the muzzle or in the mouth.
It is therefore important to be able to quickly diagnose and assess the risk of the sting to prevent more serious problems.
How do I know if my dog has been stung by a wasp?
When you are outside with him, you can easily notice when a dog is stung because he moves around and scratches himself…
If you are not with him when he is stung, you can understand that there is a problem when you see him licking or scratching the sting area.
Immediately, you should locate the site of the sting to make sure that the sting is not hidden under the skin. The wasp does not release its sting during the sting, but bees do not. You can’t tell if the sting is from a bee or a wasp until you carefully observe the sting.
After the sting, the dog will experience a temporary burning sensation. In some cases, the dog may be stung in the mouth and swallow the wasp. This can be very dangerous for the dog.
If this happens, call your veterinarian for instructions. He will usually ask you to keep your dog with you, check for an allergic reaction and take him to the office if you have any doubts or see him experiencing more serious symptoms (difficulty breathing, swelling in the sting area, etc.).
What are the risks of a wasp sting on a dog?
A wasp sting exposes the dog to several dangers. To determine the severity of the sting, you should observe your dog in the minutes and hours following the sting.
Look for signs of allergy
You can easily spot the characteristics of an allergic reaction when your dog is bitten. It should not be underestimated, as symptoms can worsen at any time and cause the animal’s death.
Anaphylactic shock is an acute circulatory impairment caused by vasodilation due to histamine released by immune system cells.
More concretely, this widening of the blood vessels impoverishes the blood organs. As a result, the dog may suffer cardiac arrest.
Signs to be observed are tremors, breathing difficulties or cyanosis of the mucous membranes.
In less severe cases, the allergy can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. When these symptoms appear, you should call a veterinarian immediately.
Check for signs of angioedema
Angioedema is an abrupt distension of the dog’s face that occurs after an insect bite. It usually affects his eyes, lips and nose.
In severe cases, the swelling reaches the dog’s throat and causes breathing difficulties. Some symptoms may occur with edema, including hives or vomiting.
We also recommend that you consult a veterinarian when these symptoms occur.
Other risk situations
Other situations can be dangerous for your dog. If the dog is hypersensitive, very young or old, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian after the wasp sting.
Also, if the dog is stung repeatedly, the risk of a bad reaction is greater.
How is a wasp sting done on a dog?
When a dog is stung by a wasp, it is important to quickly relieve the pain. No medication is required when the sting is not accompanied by allergic reactions.
However, there are simple remedies to help your dog cope with the pain. To begin, you should disinfect the bite area with an antibacterial solution. You can then place ice on the bite to reduce inflammation if it is severe.
Some veterinarians also recommend using baking soda. Simply dilute 1 tablespoon in water and apply it with a compress.
The effects of the sting will slowly dissipate. For severe cases, a veterinarian may give an injection of cortisone to relieve the pain.
How can I prevent my dog from being stung by a wasp?
It is difficult to protect your dog from insect bites because he has a habit of sniffing around. In addition, there are sometimes large wasp populations in warm years.
Nevertheless, you can maintain his environment to prevent the wasps from coming too numerous. For example, we recommend that you don’t leave food like fruit and sweet products that wasps love to eat lying around.
During walks or in the garden, prevent them from sniffing too close to flowers or in bushes, areas favoured by wasps foraging.
Finally, adapt your schedules and places for his outings. For example, your dog is less likely to be stung by a wasp or a bee when he goes out on a dirt path at the end of the day than in a flowery field in the middle of the afternoon.
