Jan 25 2009
Bee Stings in your pets
Bee stings can be just as dangerous in our dogs as they can be in us. Some dogs are severely allergic as well, and multiple bee stings in any dog can cause a fatal allergic reaction if not treated quickly.
If your dog gets stung by a bee, you can start by giving ‘diphenhydramine’ aka Benadryl at a dose of 1 mg per pound of body weight (can be rounded up a bit if needed for easier dosing, but no more than 2mg per pound, may cause drowsiness at any dose). Meaning a 25 lb dog would get 25 mg of Benadryl (which is usually 1 capsule, but that info is on the front of the Benadryl box).
Capsules are much easier than liquid if you have it, and it can be repeated again in 8 hours if needed. Any swelling that has developed should start subsiding within 1/2 hr. Check for signs of hives appearing or difficulty breathing, and if these occur even after benadryl has been given, you’ll need a vet visit for injectable, fast acting and longer lasting prescription treatment. If difficulty breathing has started, a vet trip a.s.a.p. is a must- the airways are swelling and closing up and can result in death.
If you can find the bee stinger, definitely remove it with tweezers, but it’s best to treat symptoms as well. Do know not all bees have stingers, but the ones who do tend to have barbed stingers which should be noticeable if it hasn’t fallen out.
After treatment, it is best to keep a good eye on your dog for the next few hours.
Christine, LVT
