Bee stings and your dog

I got bit by some kind of nasty bug this week and it hurt REALLY bad!!  My foot swelled up like a little balloon and I could not walk on it.  It was very uncomfortable and it scared mommy cause I am usually very tough.  I got stung by a bee before and mommy just pulled the stinger out and we went on our merry way.  One other time, we were hiking in the mountains and I stepped on red ants!! YIKES!! Those buggers REALLY hurt.  I could not walk for about 4 hours and mommy had to carry me to the road and then hitch-hike back to camp. 

So, my question to you…has your dog ever been bit or stung by an insect?  Do you know what to do if it happens.  Mommy took me to the vet and I got a shot (and some treats!) but do you always have to rush to the vet?   Mommy did a little research in her Pet First Aid book  for you and here is what she found:

1/ First off remove the stinger.  Scrape it if you can with your fingernail or credit card as pulling it out could cause it to break and release more toxin.

2/ You can apply a paste of baking soda and water to the site.

3/ Apply ice or a cold pack–you can wrap it in a towel and hold it.

4/ Watch your dog closely for signs up shock: problems breathing, increased swelling around face or neck, depressed mental state, vomiting or just plain acting weird–get your dog to a vet IMMEDIATELY!

5/ If your dog is itching, swelling, licking, or gets hives, you may be able to give him/her an over-the-counter antihistamine.  Please check with your vet on the correct dosage and if your dog is ok’d for this treatment.

Those darn little insects can cause BIG problems for us dogs and since some of us like to chase bee’s, we even have a bigger chance of getting bitten.  Know what to look for and what to do because we rely on our humans to take good care of us!