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With the arrival of spring, stunning bee colonies begin to flourish. Our inquisitive canine companions might, unfortunately, find themselves stung by these bees. Here is some crucial information to keep in mind.
Australia boasts over 1700 distinct bee species, so there’s a high chance your dog may run into during their explorations. Bees play an essential role in our environment so it’s wise to keep your pets away while the bees are active. Some native bees can sting multiple times, and both humans and dogs in certain groups can suffer severe allergic reactions to these stings.
If your dog gets stung, it will usually happen where they have been exploring: around the muzzle, lips, inside the mouth, nose, and paws. Monitoring swelling is vital since some dogs could be allergic, leading to dangerous swelling that might block airways. The sting doesn’t necessarily need to be on the face for this kind of reaction.
Some dogs do not show significant reactions; others may become unwell swiftly. Look out for signs such as local or generalized swelling, drooling, vomiting, pawing at the mouth, itching, lumps or hives, difficulty breathing, and potentially collapsing. A sting on a paw can cause sudden lameness in that leg.
If any of the above symptoms appear—even if you cannot find the sting—seek urgent veterinary care as your vet can locate and remove the sting once your dog is treated.
If you observe the sting happening, you might try removing it yourself by using a piece of firm cardboard or a credit card to scrape it off gently. Avoid using tweezers; this could release more venom. Apply a cool compress to the affected area and keep your pet quiet and calm.
Closely monitor your dog for 24 hours for any signs of further reaction. Should your dog seem unwell or if anything unusual occurs, promptly take them to see a vet.
