My dogs and I have spent many wonderful days hiking within an hour of Seattle. Bodhi (the amputee) has managed up to 10 miles, and Reina (the rat terrier) is a mountain goat. She seems to be able to go forever, or at least, farther than I can. She made it up Mailbox peak recently with energy to spare. Meanwhile, I huffed and puffed and wished I’d been a little less ambitious. Unfortunately, you never know what you will encounter on a hike. One of the strong possibilities is getting stung by a bee.
A Personal Experience With Bee Stings
Last weekend, we encountered a wasp nest along Lingering Trail, and Reina got stung twice. She bit at the wasp until she removed it (they really hang on) and seemed ok for about 20 feet, then sat down and wouldn’t move. She was trembling and alert but did not want to move. I searched my first aid kit for Benadryl and couldn’t find any, which made the situation more urgent. Unfortunately, I had sustained a wasp sting on my arm at the same time, so I knew what she was feeling (they burn!).
I scooped her up and headed down the hill as quickly as I could in case she had a reaction to the stings. (She is only 10 pounds, and wasp stings are huge to a tiny dog.) I pulled some cold stones out of a creek bed we passed and pressed them onto the skin in the area of the sting to try to reduce swelling. She continued trembling, and her heart rate picked up a bit.
I was concerned enough to stop by the Veterinary Clinic in Issaquah, where the veterinarian was kind enough to administer a Benadryl injection just as her face began to swell. Within a few minutes, the swelling stopped, and her heart rate slowed. She relaxed and went to sleep.
What to Do if Your Dog Gets Stung by a Bee
Bee stings and insect bites can be problems for pets. These problems can range from mild local irritation (burning, itching, swelling, or redness) to systemic reactions such as hives, facial swelling, vomiting, trouble breathing, or respiratory collapse. First, you need to remove the stinger with tweezers, a needle, or a pin. Then, apply ice packs wrapped in a towel and baking soda mixed with water.
If possible, take your pet to the closest veterinarian for examination. They can provide any necessary medications. If you are too far to visit a veterinarian, immediately administer Benadryl at a dose of 3mg/kg. For my little dog, this equates to ½ of a 25 mg Benadryl. It’s a good idea to carry a first aid kit for both humans and pets. You can bet next time I will have Benadryl.
