“My dog ate a bee!” Bet you never thought you’d be uttering those words! Well, bee-lieve it or not, a curious canine chomping at a buzzing bee, and then accidentally swallowing the bee, is not as uncommon as you might think.
As a veterinary emergency center who sees and hears it all, we do get our share of “Help, my dog swallowed a bee” phone calls from worried pet owners just like you.
So, what’s a pup-parent to do when their mixed-up mutt snaps her jaws and ends up swallowing a bee that buzzed a bit too near? With apologies, here’s the buzz…
SO, YOUR DOG ATE A BEE—WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
When it’s people getting stung by bees, our first thoughts are: “Am I allergic? Will this cause a severe reaction?” And honestly, it’s no different for your dog.
The good news is, your dog will very likely live through this ordeal. You just need to take the necessary precautions. As veterinary emergency experts, we’re here to guide you.
CAN DOGS BE ALLERGIC TO BEES?
The short answer, yes. There are two outcomes if your dog swallowed a bee. One, she might experience a bit of discomfort. Or two, she could end up with a severe allergic reaction. That’s why you must monitor your dog closely, directly following the bee-eating incident.
Let’s fly through the steps you should take after your dog eats a bee. This way, you’ll know if you need to seek out emergency medical assistance from VEG ER for pets.
WATCH YOUR DOG FOR AN ALLERGIC REACTION
Observe your canine’s condition directly following the incident, and after. He might seem slightly off, or experience minor irritation or discomfort.
But your dog starts showing more serious signs, that’s cause for concern and emergency medical intervention.
What signs and symptoms to watch for if your dog ate a bee:
Pawing at the face or mouth
Swelling in the mouth or throat area
WHAT HAPPENS IF A DOG EATS A BEE?
Even if you don’t think your dog was stung by the bee that she ate, you don’t know what happened on the way down. It’s possible the bee stung the inside of your dog’s mouth or throat, which could cause adverse symptoms if she’s allergic.
Severe bee allergy in dogs is possible, so bee on alert! Don’t panic, but in more severe cases, allergic reactions to bee stings can escalate to more alarming symptoms. Take action and get to your nearest VEG hospital for your doggo’s health and safety if you see any of these symptoms:
Difficulty breathing
Diarrhea
Extreme swelling
General weakness or collapse
Vomiting
Play it safe. Take your dog to VEG ER for pets
If your dog has only mild symptoms after ingesting the insect, don’t assume you’re in the clear just yet. Swelling in the throat can progress to airway obstruction.
If you wait, you could be looking at a late-night emergency. Even though every VEG animal hospital is open 24 hours, you really need to act and take your dog to our ER vet as soon as you see symptoms.
SHOULD YOU CALL AN URGENT CARE VET IF YOUR DOG ATE A BEE?
Better safe than sorry. If you see symptoms, you can call VEG anytime and speak with a veterinarian who will answer your questions. Once you talk with our VEG veterinary expert, you’ll probably feel more at ease about your dog’s having ingested a bee.
Again, if you see the hallmark symptoms of a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing, extreme swelling, vomiting, or collapse, you should bring your dog to a VEG emergency vet center right away.
But if your pet seems calm, comfortable, and is breathing easy, you can too. Just remember, our veterinary medical experts are here to allay your fears and advise if you should come in.
But the best step is to take measures to prevent this from happening to your dog…
PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM TROUBLE WITH BEES AND OTHER STINGING INSECTS
Bees are great for the ecosystem, sure. But if you can keep them away from your dog (and everyone else in your family), you’re better off. Below, some ideas for keeping bees at bay.
Monitor outdoor activities: Don’t leave your dog outside unattended; keep a close watch and try to steer him away from areas where bees gather.
Create safe play zones: Set up play areas away from flower beds and gardens, where bees are likely to be found.
Put a lid on trash bins: Bees enjoy buzzing around trash and recycling bins, especially if waste was left behind from sweet snacks and drinks. Close that lid!
Teach canine commands: Train your dog to respond to commands such as "leave it" to prevent her from interacting with or eating bees.
Regular dog training and reinforcement: Keep your furry friend current on commands with ongoing practice. Reward good behavior to be sure your dog will respond if the situation becomes critical.
CONTACT VEG FOR GUIDANCE ON VETERINARY EMERGENCIES
Our expert vet team is ready 24/7, even on holidays, to provide rapid and compassionate emergency and urgent care. We’ll work swiftly to ensure your dog's safety and well-being, and you get to stay by your pet’s side the whole time.
VEG emergency vet hospital is always available to provide expert care and support during pet emergencies. Contact us at the first sign of trouble to ensure your dog receives the help she needs. We’re dedicated to your pet's health and well-being, ready to assist whenever you need us. And that’s the buzz!
