Stinging insects

[LORHEL]

Just wanted to remind everyone, (for those of us who aren't lucky enough to have them year round..:p )
that bees, wasps, etc. are out again, and to keep an eye out.

I don't know if anyone has a nosy dog like me....but I thought we could go over the basics again, of bee/wasp stings, or other related insects that cause us concern.

Last year, was our first sting. Makita decided to investigate a dirt hole, and came out with a nice one on her paw. I admit, I freaked. I didn't know her history, so I didn't know if she would be allergic or not...plus we were out there, in no man's land. It ended up okay, and she didn't get the stinger from the bee. I took her to the closest vet hospital, ran in for advice, then was told to watch her breathing, etc.

I'm no expert on this subject, but hoping a few of you can give us all some tips on how to handle this. (I know its in the archives, but for the newbies and oldies like me who don't have any child experience, let alone dog bumps and bruises ) ;)

[lblax]

you can give them benadryl liquid or pills you can give 2-25mg pills twice daikly for alergies or the comparable amount of liquid. liquid works faster if your giving for a sting

[Brooke&Ryan]

Thanks! That's good info to know. We're going to be taking Julius up to "no-man's land" on Memorial Day to Ryan's cabin. I may just bring along some extra Benadryl just in case. I know I'll need some....allergies are a PAIN in the butt this year! I know that Julius will be investigating in the meadow beside the cabin & the bees & other insects will be sure to be buzzing around. And of course Julius will think it's his business to investigate & make sure EVERYTHING is okay. :p

:)
Brooke

[moondog]

When I was a kid, my mom taught us to pull the stinger out and then slap some mud on the sting to pull the heat out and reduce swelling. That's handy to know if you're out hiking. My first aid book says apply cold packs and 1/2% cortisone cream after removing stinger (if there is one). Watch for signs of shock (pale gums, dazed eyes, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, collapse) or difficulty breathing. If you see those signs, hot foot it to a vet!

It's also a good idea to learn CPR for dogs. :)

[tugger5000]

I wouldn't slap mud on any sting or bite... It may relieve the itching/burning, but you could be asking for an nasty bacterial infection...

[moondog]

I had a lot of mud slapped on a lot of bee stings growing up and never developed a single bacterial infection. :)

[Wrath]

I used to jump off of our roof all the time while growing up and never broke my leg. ;)

The only bit of advice I can offer for bee stings is to scrape stingers off, rather than using tweezers or plucking. Often, the venom sack comes out with the stinger, and scraping can minimize the chance of accidentally squeezing more venom through the stinger.

[moondog]

The scraping off is good advice....that's what you do with jellyfish stingers, too. :)

[LORHEL]

I guess also, the hardest part will be if we aren't actually right next to them when they get stung... say they are over at a bush, or digging in a mudhole...

what kind of signs would they show that they might be stung??

I am thinking obviously, maybe panting hard, limping, if on the paw.... would they be licking it??? etc.... I was fortunate enough to be right there, but during summer time its not always possible, ie: you might be mowing grass, they are off in the yard investigating things....

**Also another good reason NOT to leave the dog out unattended when you are at work, or gone.... you never know what kind of stuff like this can happen.