🐝 Bee Stings and Insect Bites in Pets: 2025 Vet First Aid Guide for Swelling, Hives & Reactions 🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc 🩺

Insect stings and bites are a summertime hazard that can strike anytime—and not just in dogs who chase bees! Whether it’s a bee, wasp, spider, or mosquito, bites and stings can cause anything from mild irritation to life-threatening allergic reactions in pets. 🐶🐱

This 2025 first aid guide will teach you how to respond calmly and effectively, reduce swelling, prevent licking, and recognize when to seek emergency care. 🧊🚑

🔬 What Happens When a Pet Gets Stung or Bitten?

Insects inject venom or irritants into the skin that trigger the body’s immune response. The typical signs include:

• 🔥 Local swelling and redness
• 😣 Itching or discomfort
• 🧼 Licking, scratching, or rubbing at the area

In some pets, especially those with allergies, a bite or sting can lead to a serious systemic reaction (anaphylaxis). Watch for:

• 🧱 Facial swelling (especially lips or eyes)
• 🌪️ Hives (red, raised welts)
• 🤮 Vomiting
• 💨 Difficulty breathing
• 🆘 Collapse or weakness

💡 Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers are especially at risk for airway obstruction due to swelling.

💊 First Aid: What To Do Immediately

1. 🕵️ Locate and Remove the Stinger (If Present)

• Use a credit card or stiff plastic to scrape out the stinger
• If needed, tweezers can be used, gripping just below the venom sac
• ⏱️ Speed is more important than technique—get it out as quickly as possible

❌ Don’t worry about squeezing extra venom—this myth has been disproven.

2. 🧊 Apply Cold Compresses

• Use a cool, damp cloth or a wrapped ice pack
• Hold on the area for 5–10 minutes, 3–4 times daily
• Repeat for up to 3–4 days depending on swelling

This helps reduce inflammation and discomfort. 🧊🐾

3. 🧪 Try a Baking Soda Paste (for Bee Stings)

• Mix baking soda and water into a paste
• Apply gently to the sting area to help neutralize venom

This is most useful for bee stings, which have acidic venom. 🐝

4. 🚫 Prevent Licking or Rubbing

• Use an Elizabethan collar (cone) to stop your pet from licking or scratching the bite
• Prevent face rubbing on carpets or furniture

5. 🐾 Monitor for Signs of Allergic Reaction

Keep a close eye on your pet for the next few hours. If you notice:

• 📛 Swelling worsening or spreading
• 😮 Trouble breathing
• 💤 Lethargy, collapse, or vomiting

🚨 Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

📞 When to Call Your Vet

Contact your vet if:

• 🐶 Your pet is swelling around the face, eyes, or throat
• 🌡️ They’re having a full-body reaction or showing signs of distress
• 🤕 The bite or sting causes bleeding, blistering, or skin damage
• 🕷️ You suspect a spider or venomous insect was involved

💉 Your vet may administer antihistamines, steroids, or even epinephrine injections for serious reactions.

🚫 What NOT to Do

• ❌ Don’t give your pet any human medications like Benadryl, Tylenol, or Advil without vet guidance
• 🧴 Don’t apply creams, ointments, or essential oils unless directed by your veterinarian
• 🔪 Don’t attempt to cut or lance the bite site

Many human medications can be toxic to pets—especially cats. Always check with your vet first. 🛑💊

🕷️ Spider Bites: Special Considerations

While most spider bites are harmless, certain species (like the brown recluse or black widow) can cause:

• 🩸 Skin necrosis (tissue death)
• 🧬 Systemic toxicity
• ⚠️ Wounds that worsen over 24–72 hours

If you suspect a venomous spider was involved, or the wound becomes ulcerated or blackened, seek veterinary attention immediately. 🕷️

🐶 Pet-Safe Prevention Tips

• 🌿 Keep pets away from flowering plants where bees gather
• 🏡 Inspect outdoor spaces for wasp nests or ant mounds
• 🧴 Use vet-approved insect repellents only
• 🚫 Avoid scented lotions or sprays on pets that may attract bugs

Quick reactions and safe monitoring can prevent serious outcomes. 🌼🐾

📲 Need Fast Vet Help for a Sting or Bite? Ask A Vet Anytime

Not sure if your pet’s swelling is normal? Concerned about a sting on the face or paw? Use the Ask A Vet app for instant support from licensed veterinarians:

• 💬 Chat with a vet 24/7
• 📸 Send pictures of bites, swelling, or wounds
• 🧾 Get real-time advice on what to do next

Visit AskAVet.com or download the app today. Bee stings don’t have to be a crisis when you’re prepared! 🐝🩺🐾