Wasp stings

[Sam I Am]

Took Jock for his usual morning walk in a grassy field, when suddenly he leaped in the air started crying, growling biting at his foot and leg! It scared me to death! I kept on trying to find out what was wrong as I didnt have a clue... all kinds of thoughts went through my mind. A needle, a piece of glass. Didnt have a clue and every time I tried to pick him up he growled and was obviously very scared and in pain. I eventually picked him up and thank goodnes my husband was walking towards us as I didnt have a clue what was wrong. Jocks little heart was just pounding. DH had a hold of his front leg and we couldnt see anything... darn those hairy legs. We put him back on the ground and he went crazy again, rubbing his chin and face and holding up his leg. A yellow jacket was on his bottom lip! It must have crawled up his leg. stung him in his left front armpit, he bit at it and then it was stinging him on his lower lip. DH pulled the wasp off and we headed home. He was limping but seemed ok and I kept on checking his gums for shock and his face and leg for swelling. At home I gave him a few drops of benalyn and homepathic Arnica pellets.

Within an hour all was fine with no swelling at all! This is the first time Jock has ever been stung ( I think. He is always chasing bees and snapping at them!) I went on the internet to see if I could find out more info and couldnt find out how much benadryl you give a 20 pound dog... does anyone know? Plus do most dogs not swell up after a sting? Is Jock going to be more sensitive to a sting next time or will he have resistance to the toxin in a sting?

[BetsyNoodle]

I am happy to hear Jock is feeling better. When my Cairn, Murphy, was stung once the other day, he was already taking hydroxyzine (another antihistamine) for atopy, so he had very little reaction, other than yelping for a few minutes. So, I can empathize.

Regarding stings and swelling, my cousin and her husband, both of whom are veterinarians, tell me some dogs swell, some don't, and some have life-threatening anaphylactic (allergic) reactions to stings, so it is always very important to monitor your pup after a sting occurs. Multiple stings, which expose the dog to more venom, can also produce more of a reaction.

I work in human medicine. Are you referring to Benylin? If so, Benylin contains dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, not an antihistamine, therefore it would not minimize an allergic reaction. Regarding the dosage and dosing schedule of Benadryl, I believe the best possible source of information regarding administration and dosing of any medication is always a phone call to your own vet. Your vet can also answer your questions regarding sensitivity and resistance.

Good luck and best wishes for Jock!

[Puddlesmama]

Oh boy.. I understand!

A few weeks ago, Puddles started her testing for her search and rescue certification. We were on a scenario search along with 2 other teams. Puddles was doing her thing with me trailing behind, Of course Shorty has me going through some briars and things and she started shaking her head. I look down at her to see ground bees covering her head! I pick her up and hauled butt into the lake... Fast action from the rest of the team made me feel very comfortable really fast, One of my Jr commanders was working as my backup handler and kept me at ease, she checked Puddles throughly, My other Jr Commander came down to aid us. We were given benedryl 20 mgs for Puddles she is 18 lbs, and Mary gave both of us some of the Apis, A holistic remedy. And they kept my girls cool and comfy... And we made out just fine. No swelling at all on her. She was stung at least 14 times in her ears. a few on her belly....Not sure where else she had gotten zapped.

I am not allergic to stings but i do tend to swell up a bit when it has happened before.. I didnt have any swelling at all!!

I am really looking into getting myself some of the holistic remedies out there.. I really think it had a lot to do with how we faired.

[Nena]

So sorry to hear about Jock and Puddles getting stung. It is so scaring mine got stung when she was a puppy in the tummy but did not swell she just cried. And I agree you can't figure out what is wrong right away. How awkful seeing the bee string his lip to. Glad he is okay. I did not give anything because she did not swell. Called the vet, she said to put a cortizone cream on the site if it is red and watch her.

But for allergies my vet said to give her one childrens benadryl (plain benadryl) and mine is 12 pounds. I have used the fast dissolving type for children they come in flavors.

[kjwarnold]

When Packy was stung by a scorpion a couple of years ago (we have small ones here in Missouri), our vet told us to give him children's Benadryl and a baby aspirin if he seemed to be in a lot of pain. We use the fast dissolve tablets since they're the easiest to give. He told us it was very safe and even if we gave double that amount, he would probably just be sleepy.

Glad to hear that Jock didn't have any adverse reactions. It's always possible that they could react to a stung, so watching them is best.

[Sam I Am]

The day after I posted the first message there was a vet talking on the radio on dogs being stung by wasps and bees. He was saying that watching the dog of course is the first thing to keep and eye one and that if swelling does occur to contact the vet because the dog may be in danger of their airways swelling shut. And giving the dog bendryl but to remember that it will only help the swelling that hasnt occured yet. If there is swelling already it wont take it away. Another thing he said was that wasp and bee stings can cause vomiting and diahrrea a couple of days after the dog has been stung! Didnt know that.