What to do if your dog eats a bee and 5 more tips for keeping pets safe this summer

Staff photo by Gabrielle Chevalier

Sasha's favorite lazy summer activity involves rolling around and sunning herself in the back yard.
Staff photo by Gabrielle Chevalier Sasha's favorite lazy summer activity involves rolling around and sunning herself in the back yard.
photo Staff photo by Gabrielle Chevalier Sasha's favorite lazy summer activity involves rolling around and sunning herself in the back yard.

Summer is in full swing. Birds are chirping, bees are buzzing - and snakes are out.

Any pet parent knows our furry friends are just as eager to profit from the nice weather as we are, but all the outdoor action also brings some added risks for little Fido or Fluffy.

Maybe your pup is determined to run sniffing through the grass to find that snake you weren unaware of. Or, maybe you hear the buzzing, feel the sudden jerk of the leash - and dread washes over you: "Oh no. Did my dog just ingest a live bee?"

So far, my pup has always failed in her quest to eat that tasty bee or wasp that taunts her mercilessly as it flies overhead. But I've always wondered - and worried - about what would happen if (when) she inevitably succeeds?

Luckily, according to Riverview Animal Hospital owner Dr. Tai Federico, if my sweet pit bull mix Sasha should ever succeed in her lifelong mission to ingest a stinging creature, she should be just fine.

But knowing how to react in any dangerous situation can mean life or death for your beloved pet. So before you start off on your next adventure, be sure you and your pet are protected.

What to do if your pet

Eats a bee

The main cause for concern in bee and wasp stings is the number of stings, Federico says. Typically, an over-the counter product such as Benadryl can relieve symptoms and control the problem without a visit to the vet.

He says to monitor your kitty or pooch to see if they develop a more severe reaction, and check to be sure swelling does not block the airways. Symptoms to look out for are significant swelling of the face, or - in extreme cases - collapse.

Eats a toxic plant or plant food

Depending on what the substance is, hydrogen peroxide can be given orally to induce vomitting to get it out of your pet, Federico says. He recommends immediately calling Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 before giving peroxide to induce vomitting, so they can assess whether peroxide is the correct course of action and provide dosing instructions.

Has an open wound

Although many pets will try to lick their wounds, it is important to keep them from doing so to keep the wound dry, Federico says. And aside from protecting and covering the injured spot, he does not recommend treating a wound further without a vet if it does not improve, because the pet may react aggressively from the pain.

Is bitten by a snake

According to Federico, there is "no good first aid for an owner to do at home" in a snake bite situation. "The best thing to have in a first aid kit for a snake bite is a set of car keys," he explains. Since different snake bites require different treatments, knowing a description of the snake can make a difference.

Most important, Federico says, is keeping the animal calm. He stresses that pet parents should not make a tourniquet, use an ice pack, cut over the area and suck out the venom or capture the snake.

Overheats

"Heat stroke is the single biggest summer threat and the most avoidable," Federico warns. A water bath will cool a pet immediately and bring their temperature down, but you should then proceed to a vet's office to be sure no further treatment is necessary.

Twists or breaks a bone

Even though many owners want to help their pets feel better as soon as possible, Federico cautions against over-the-counter anti-inflammatories that could cause an unintended interaction.

Should a pet become lame, the best thing to do is restrict movement to keep them from making the problem worse, he says. In this case, a trip to the vet's office is always the recommended course of action.

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