What to Do if Your Dog is Stung By a Bee

Australia is home to around 2,000 native bee species, which means your dog's sniff-first-ask-questions-later approach to the garden puts them in fairly regular contact with one. Most native bees are reluctant to sting, but honeybees will if they feel threatened. And unlike native bees, honeybees leave their stinger behind.

Curious dogs are some of the most common sufferers of bee stings. Here's exactly what to do if your pup gets stung.

Quick Answer

• Most bee stings cause mild swelling and discomfort 
• Scrape the stinger out with a credit card (not tweezers), then apply a cool compress
• Watch closely for 24 hours (allergic reactions can be delayed by several hours)
• Signs of anaphylaxis (facial swelling, welts, skin rashes, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, pale or bluish gums, difficulty breathing, shaking, wobbliness, collapse) need a visit to an emergency vet immediately
• Don't give medications without speaking to your vet first

Where Stings Usually Happen

Dogs most often get stung on the muzzle, nose, lips, inside the mouth, and paws (basically wherever they've been investigating). A sting on the face often warrants urgent treatment, since swelling there can quickly affect breathing.

Dogs stung on a paw may suddenly go lame on that leg. Don't be alarmed, it's a common and very understandable response to a sharp, localised sting.

Symptoms To Watch For

Reactions range from mild to serious, and they can develop quickly. Watch for:

• Localised swelling, redness, or a raised lump at the sting site
• Pawing at the face or mouth
• Hives, skin rash or generalised itching
• Lameness (if stung on a paw)
• Drooling or vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Difficulty breathing, pale or bluish gums, shaking, wobbliness collapse, or loss of consciousness Most of these symptoms are signs of anaphylaxis and require emergency veterinary care.

The majority of allergic reactions occur within 20 minutes of the sting, but some reactions can be delayed by several hours,so close monitoring for at least 24 hours is important. An Australian study found that almost 50% of canine anaphylaxis cases presented to veterinary hospitals were triggered by insect stings, so it's not a rare event.

First Aid Steps

1. If your dog seems unwell, go straight to the vet

Don't wait to see if symptoms worsen. Anaphylaxis can move fast, and it's always better to be seen and reassured than to wait at home. Call your vet on the way.

2. If your dog seems fine, look for the stinger

Only honeybees leave their stinger in the skin. If you can see it (a tiny dark dot), scrape it out using a firm, flat object like a credit card, sliding it sideways across the skin. Avoid tweezers as squeezing the stinger can push more venom into the site.

3. Apply a cool compress

Wrap an ice pack or a cold, wet cloth in a towel and hold it gently against the sting site for 5–10 minutes. Never apply ice directly to skin, as it can cause tissue damage.

4. Keep your dog cool, calm and quiet

Increased blood flow can worsen swelling. A quiet spot and a calm owner (dogs pick up on our energy) is the best approach.

5. Monitor closely for 24 hours

If anything changes (new swelling, skin changes, behaviour changes, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or if your dog just doesn’t seem like themself, get to a vet immediately.

Don't administer any medications without speaking to your vet first. Certain medications that are safe for humans can be harmful to dogs.

When to Go Straight to Emergency

Get your dog to a vet immediately if they:

• Were stung multiple times or disturbed a hive
• Show any signs of facial or throat swelling
• Have been stung inside the mouth or on the face
• Are showing any of the previously mentioned signs of anaphylaxis 

If your dog has had a severe reaction to a sting before, ask your vet about the best way to manage your dog in the future. And make sure you know the fastest route to your nearest emergency vet before you need it.