Dog owners told ‘contact vet immediately’ over common autumn issue

Owners may need to react straight away and not wait for it to get better

Dog owners across the UK have been urged to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of an issue that is “quite common in dogs during the spring, summer and early autumn”.

According to the British veterinary charity PDSA, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, insect bites are very common. If bitten or stung, it will likely appear around their face or on their paws.

Thankfully, “most stings and bites can be managed at home as long as the signs are mild”. However, “some cases are more serious,” and if your dog is showing any signs of an allergic reaction, or they have been stung several times, the charity warns owners to “contact your vet immediately”.

What kind of insect could bite my dog?

While your dog is outside, they’ll come across all sorts of insects that have the potential to sting and/or bite them, including:

• Bees – bee stings can be very painful, and you may see the stinger left behind.
• Wasps – wasp stings can also be very painful, they can sting multiple times but don’t leave their stinger behind.
• Ticks – ticks that are removed quickly and carefully are unlikely to cause any ongoing problems.
• Mosquitos – mosquito bites don’t often cause serious problems in dogs – you may not even notice that they have been bitten.
• Ants – ant bites can sometimes cause small red lumps to appear, but don’t often cause serious problems.
• Flies – similar to other bites, fly bites don’t often cause serious problems in dogs. They might appear as red lumps or scabs, and if they are large, they may require saltwater cleaning.

How to tell if my dog has been stung?

Insect stings and bites can be extremely painful. They can occur anywhere on the body, but are most commonly seen on the face and paws.

If your dog is stung by a bee, the stinger is usually left behind in the skin. Wasp stings don’t leave a stinger, and wasps may sting more than once.

Symptoms of a mild reaction:

• Mild swelling in the affected area
• Licking, biting or pawing the area
• Whining and crying
• Limping or holding up a paw
• Drooling

Just like in humans, some dogs can be allergic to insect bites and stings. Allergic reaction symptoms often include:

• Hives or a severe rash
• Rapid swelling around the affected area
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Collapse
• Vomiting and diarrhoea

The charity warns: “Contact a vet immediately if your dog is showing any signs of an allergic reaction, has a swelling around their face, neck or throat, or if they’ve been stung several times.”

What should I do if my dog has been stung?

If your dog shows any of the signs of an allergic reaction, take them to a vet as soon as possible. If the reaction appears mild, you can follow the steps below:

• Check the area. If you can see a stinger, gently remove it by sliding the edge of a credit card under the venom sac (the small yellow blob) and scraping it out. Don’t use tweezers or your fingers, as squeezing it can push more venom into your dog.
• Put a cold, damp cloth on the area to calm the skin and reduce swelling. You can also use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel, as long as your dog will tolerate it.
• Antihistamines may help reduce swelling, but check with your vet before giving your dog any medicine. They can tell you whether it’s suitable and make sure you use the correct medication and dose.
• Keep a close eye out for any signs of an allergic reaction (listed above). If you notice any, contact your vet immediately.
• Home remedies like vinegar for wasp stings, or a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water for bee stings, won’t usually do any harm. However, they may not ease symptoms as much as people expect.

What should I do if my dog has an allergic reaction or is stung by an insect?

1. Check for signs of a severe allergic reaction:

• Rapid swelling – often of the lips, eyes, ears and face
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Breathing difficulties – If your pet has stopped breathing, read the charity’s CPR advice
• Collapse/ fainting

Other signs of a less severe allergic reaction include:

• Skin rash/ bumps
• Mild swelling elsewhere on the body
• Drooling
• Limping if the legs or feet are affected

2. Vets

Go to the vet immediately if your pet is struggling to breathe or if swelling in the face, neck or throat is coming on quickly. If you can, call the practice on your way to let them know you’re coming.