Wasp stings are just as painful for dogs as they are for humans. Once the weather turns warmer and wasps start to dance through the air and across your lawn, your dog is at a very real risk of being stung. Should your dog get stung by one of these buzzing bugs, there is some information that you need to have.
Where Is a Dog Wasp Sting Most Common?
A dog wasp sting is most common on the bottoms of the feet, the nose, the lips, and the inside of the mouth. These areas are more vulnerable because your dog tends to have its nose to the ground, sniffing away, and is likely to run into a wasp doing what wasps do in the grass. It’s also not unusual for an enterprising dog to snatch a wasp right out of the air. A dog wasp sting can occur anywhere on the body, but these are the typical areas.
What to Do For a Wasp Sting on Dog
Wasps, unlike bees, do not leave stingers behind. Wasps have the ability to sting several times in a row, making them more painful than bee stings. For a wasp sting on dog, try to determine the area of injury. Look for a small pinprick of blood, redness, or swelling. Once you find the area of the wasp sting on dog, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to it. This will alleviate some of the pain and swelling associated with the sting.
Further Treatment
Once you have iced the area for as long as your dog will allow you to do so, pat it dry. Once the area is dry, apply a small amount of calamine lotion to it to relieve any subsequent itching. When you have done this, you have done all that you can do. It’s time to keep an eye on your dog for an allergic reaction.
What to Do If Your Dog is Allergic
Some dogs are hypersensitive to wasp stings. If your dog begins to drool, if the site of the sting becomes overly swollen, or if your dog begins to vomit, you may be witnessing an allergic reaction. If this happens, you need to get your dog to the nearest veterinary facility as soon as possible. If your dog is breathing without any problems, you have time to call your veterinarian and ask for advice.
If the vet suggests that the wasp sting is seen, the vet will undoubtedly give it antihistamines or other medications to counteract the allergic reaction. Follow your vet’s advice when it comes to treatment for your dog.
Wasps are a part of summer in many parts of the United States. If your dog is stung and has no allergic reaction, you have no need to worry. If your dog does have an allergic reaction, speak to your veterinarian about creating a wasp sting dog kit to keep at home in the event that your dog is stung again. Quick attention to the wasp sting is the best way to ensure that the reaction does not get out of control.