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Insect bite in dog

Insect bite

The warm season inevitably brings with it a multitude of biting insects, which can sting not only humans but also dogs. In most cases an insect bite is harmless in dogs. However, there are also situations in which it can become a serious danger.

In this article, we will explain what to look out for in the case of an insect bite on your dog, when it is dangerous and which first aid measures make sense.

Detecting an insect bite in your dog

Especially if your four-legged friend was stung not only by a mosquito, but by a bee, wasp or hornet, he will certainly make himself noticed by a loud howling.

However, one does not always get an insect bite with the dog immediately. During the summer months you should therefore pay attention to possible signs, such as conspicuous licking at a certain point on the body and increased salivation.

If your dog suddenly starts limping, this may indicate an insect bite on his paw.

If you suspect that your four-legged friend has been stung, check his body for swelling and redness. In bees, the sting also gets stuck after the sting. In comparison to humans, however, an insect bite in dogs is of course a little harder to find due to the coat.

Beware of insect bites in the dog's throat

As harmless as an insect bite on the body of the dog is, it is dangerous in the mouth, throat, throat or oesophagus of the animal. There the insect venom can lead to swelling of the mucous membranes and thus to shortness of breath. In the worst case, your dog may even suffocate.

Sudden wheezing and choking can indicate an insect bite in the mouth or neck of the four-legged friend. In this case, prompt action is required.

Dogs can be allergic to insect bites

As you may know, some people are allergic to stings from bees and other biting insects. This may also be the case with dogs, so the insect venom may cause anaphylactic shock in affected animals.

Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, the following symptoms, among others, may occur after the insect bite in the dog:

  • Hives
  • Severe itching
  • Nausea and abdominal cramps
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Swelling in other parts of the body
  • Incontinence
  • A blue coloration of the skin
  • Dizziness and unconsciousness

Insect bite in dogs - what you have to do now

What action you must take in the event of an insect bite on your dog depends on the site of the bite and the condition of the animal. Regardless, it is important to keep calm and try to calm and comfort your frightened four-legged friend.

Behaviour with external stings without allergic reaction

If your dog has been bitten and shows no signs of an allergic reaction, it is usually sufficient to cool the puncture site well. In addition, it may help to place a sliced onion on the sting or drip its juice onto it. If you have a bee sting, you will also need to remove the sting with tweezers to prevent your dog's insect bite from igniting.

Behaviour with insect bites in the mouth and throat

insect bites in the mouth

It looks a bit different with an insect bite in your dog's mouth or throat. In this case you should first try to cool the bite with an ice cube or some ice cream from the inside and the neck with a cool pack from the outside.

If the insect is still in the animal's throat, try to remove it if possible. Due to the potential risk that the swelling of the insect bite will pose for your dog, you should consult a vet after the initial treatment to be on the safe side.

Behaviour in case of insect bites with allergic reaction

If you suspect that your dog is allergic to the insect bite, you must take him to the vet immediately. In the event of an anaphylactic shock, every minute counts, so a supposedly harmless bite can quickly be life-threatening.

Preventing insect bites in dogs

Of course there is no one hundred percent protection against insect bites either for humans or for dogs. Nevertheless, you as the owner can do a lot to reduce the risk.

These measures will help you to reduce the probability of an insect bite in your dog:

  • Do not allow your pet to snare insects.
  • Do not let your dog catch treats from the air as this will make insects even more interesting for him.
  • Do not leave the dog food open too long during the warm season.
  • Check the water bowl of your four-legged friend regularly for possible biting insects.
  • If you have a wasp nest in the garden, remove it promptly.

If you know that your dog is allergic to insect bites, ask your vet if he can give you a suitable emergency medication. The consequences of the next bite can be much worse, so the time you save with the emergency medication may even save your pet's life.

Insect bite in dogs - our conclusion

Insect bites are usually harmless for dogs. It only becomes dangerous if the insect gets into the mouth, the four-legged friend swallows it or the insecticide triggers an allergic reaction.

If you have any symptoms that go beyond the normal symptoms of an insect bite, we recommend that you consult a veterinarian immediately and have your dog treated by him.

You should also follow the precautions outlined in this article to reduce the risk of insect bites for your dog from the outset.

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