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What Should I do if My Boxer Gets Stung by Bees ?
Overview
If it happens to humans, it can certainly happen to a Boxer dog. Dogs can easily be stung by bees or wasps. Their fur will not protect them and the worst of the attack will happen on a Boxer dog’s sensitive tummy area and face.
If your Boxer gets stung by bees or wasps there are steps that you should take to:
Removal
First, the stingers will need to be removed. Do not use tweezers as this may make things worse. Honey bees have a sac of venom which can be attached to the stingers. If squeezed with tweezers, this can cause more venom to enter your dog’s body.
The stingers are not always easy to see; as they are most transparent. The swelling that will envelope around a stinger will help you know where it is. Use a credit card to carefully scrape along the dog’s skin to pull the stinger out. This, as you can imagine, is a process that should be done carefully and slowly.
It is best if you can get your Boxer to lie down. You may wish to offer your dog a treat so that they are occupied while you get to work on the removal process.
Treatment
Once you are certain that all stingers are removed, you should then apply a baking soda mix to any and all swollen areas. The recipe is simple. In a clean bowl or container add baking soda first and then slowly add and mix water until it forms a thick paste.
If you missed a stinger or were unable to remove one of them, this paste will also help draw it out as well as the venom.
Swelling will be great and must be treated. An ice pack should be placed on the swollen areas of your Boxer dog. When a Boxer is stung by bees, he may have some bites on the tummy and some on the face. If you do not have a helper to hold ice packs to all of the areas of your dog, take turns…holding the ice pack for several minutes on each area. If you do not have an ice pack, putting ice cubes into a plastic zip lock bag or wrapped up in a damp small towel will work also.
Emergency Care
As with humans, a Boxer dog can be allergic to bee stings. Even if not previously allergic, your Boxer may be stung many times and his body may not be able to handle the overwhelming amount of venom.
Very carefully watch your dog’s breathing. If you notice that your Boxer dog has a raspy breath, trouble breathing, slow breathing or fast breathing you must take your dog to the vet or animal hospital right away.
You must also watch for abnormal swelling. If your Boxer is stung by bees or wasps multiple times on the face, this may impair breathing- bring your dog to the vet or animal hospital right away.
Prevention
• While we cannot always prevent our dogs from being injured, beware of allowing your Boxer to investigate in tall grasses, forests, fallen down trees, etc. The noise of bees may actually cause your dog to want to get a closer look, as opposed to knowing this signals a warning.
• Be careful about leaving your Boxer dog tied up in your yard. Should a danger come near, such as a bee attack, your dog needs to be able to run away and get to safety. If possible, allow for your dog’s leash to be long enough so that he can enter into a shed (with a doggie door built in) or into a dog house with a swinging door.
• If you do notice bees or wasps hovering around your Boxer, call to him immediately if he is unleashed or pull him to you, if on a leash. You should get inside immediately. If there are too many bees surrounding your dog to safely bring him into the house without also bringing in the bees or wasps, you should spray your dog with a water hose. If that is not available, use large towels to bat away the bees and then quickly run inside with your dog before they retaliate.
Do you have a Boxer question? Click here to see how to ask the AllBoxer Experts.
If it happens to humans, it can certainly happen to a Boxer dog. Dogs can easily be stung by bees or wasps. Their fur will not protect them and the worst of the attack will happen on a Boxer dog’s sensitive tummy area and face.
If your Boxer gets stung by bees or wasps there are steps that you should take to:
- Remove the stingers
- Avoid infection
- Help your dog with the pain
Removal
First, the stingers will need to be removed. Do not use tweezers as this may make things worse. Honey bees have a sac of venom which can be attached to the stingers. If squeezed with tweezers, this can cause more venom to enter your dog’s body.
The stingers are not always easy to see; as they are most transparent. The swelling that will envelope around a stinger will help you know where it is. Use a credit card to carefully scrape along the dog’s skin to pull the stinger out. This, as you can imagine, is a process that should be done carefully and slowly.
It is best if you can get your Boxer to lie down. You may wish to offer your dog a treat so that they are occupied while you get to work on the removal process.
Treatment
Once you are certain that all stingers are removed, you should then apply a baking soda mix to any and all swollen areas. The recipe is simple. In a clean bowl or container add baking soda first and then slowly add and mix water until it forms a thick paste.
If you missed a stinger or were unable to remove one of them, this paste will also help draw it out as well as the venom.
Swelling will be great and must be treated. An ice pack should be placed on the swollen areas of your Boxer dog. When a Boxer is stung by bees, he may have some bites on the tummy and some on the face. If you do not have a helper to hold ice packs to all of the areas of your dog, take turns…holding the ice pack for several minutes on each area. If you do not have an ice pack, putting ice cubes into a plastic zip lock bag or wrapped up in a damp small towel will work also.
Emergency Care
As with humans, a Boxer dog can be allergic to bee stings. Even if not previously allergic, your Boxer may be stung many times and his body may not be able to handle the overwhelming amount of venom.
Very carefully watch your dog’s breathing. If you notice that your Boxer dog has a raspy breath, trouble breathing, slow breathing or fast breathing you must take your dog to the vet or animal hospital right away.
You must also watch for abnormal swelling. If your Boxer is stung by bees or wasps multiple times on the face, this may impair breathing- bring your dog to the vet or animal hospital right away.
Prevention
• While we cannot always prevent our dogs from being injured, beware of allowing your Boxer to investigate in tall grasses, forests, fallen down trees, etc. The noise of bees may actually cause your dog to want to get a closer look, as opposed to knowing this signals a warning.
• Be careful about leaving your Boxer dog tied up in your yard. Should a danger come near, such as a bee attack, your dog needs to be able to run away and get to safety. If possible, allow for your dog’s leash to be long enough so that he can enter into a shed (with a doggie door built in) or into a dog house with a swinging door.
• If you do notice bees or wasps hovering around your Boxer, call to him immediately if he is unleashed or pull him to you, if on a leash. You should get inside immediately. If there are too many bees surrounding your dog to safely bring him into the house without also bringing in the bees or wasps, you should spray your dog with a water hose. If that is not available, use large towels to bat away the bees and then quickly run inside with your dog before they retaliate.
Do you have a Boxer question? Click here to see how to ask the AllBoxer Experts.
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Copyright
1996-2010 contact@AllBoxerInfo. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
Copyright
1996-2010 contact@AllBoxerInfo. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
