How to Treat Bee Stings in Pets

With warmer weather comes bees--and with bees--unfortunately may come bee stings. Pets are not any more immune to bee stings than people. In fact, since they have a fondness for snapping at insects, they have even more of a chance of getting stung. Should this unpleasant experience befall your pet--here are the best ways to treat a sting.

Instructions

1. If you see the bee's stinger, scrape it away with a credit card or other blunt object such as a popsicle stick. Don't pull the stinger with your fingers or tweezers, as that could release additional venom into your pet's body.

2. Give your pet 1 mg. of Benadryl per pound of your pet's body weight after checking with your pet's vet to make sure it's OK. This will help reduce swelling, inflammation and itching.

3. Apply a cold or ice pack to the area to reduce swelling. A bag of frozen vegetables will work!

4. Monitor your pet for the next several hours. If you notice any major swelling that extends beyond the sting site, or your pet seems weak or has trouble breathing, take him to a vet immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• An EpiPen, a device that injects epinephrine, can buy some time for a pet with severe allergic reactions to bee stings until you get to the vet. Check with your vet about keeping an EpiPen on hand if your pet is prone to allergic reactions.

• The above steps are for immediate treatment of bee stings. There is a variety of natural and herbal remedies to soothe the area and promote healing. Check with your vet or a herbalist/homeopath for suggestions.

• Follow the above steps for hornet and wasp stings except for Step 1 (hornet and wasp stingers don't become imbedded, although tend to be more painful than bee stings).

• If a number of bees swarm your pet, always seek immediate veterinary attention.

• A swollen muzzle can often indicate a bee sting. Swelling of the face and neck area can cause your pet's respiratory tract to close and cut off breathing.