Summer is the season of warm weather and sunshine—and, thanks to an abundance of insects, the season of stinging. Bees, hornets and wasps are especially active during the summer months, and curious pets are highly susceptible to bites and stings. Experts at Nationwide VetHelpline®, powered by FirstVet, offer this advice for summer stings.
Warm weather typically makes stinging insects more active. Bees come out in search of blooming flowers and nectar, while wasps are most active in summer when food is abundant. Both tend to be most active during warmer hours of the day, especially in the late morning or early afternoon.
The most common areas for stings in pets include paws, face and mouth. This makes sense when considering how pets explore objects that inspire their curiosity and trigger their instincts. Cats will attempt to pounce, swat or catch bees and wasps, while dogs will bite at flying objects (though, equally often, they end up accidentally stepping on a bee hidden in the grass).
In many cases, a single sting will cause signs such as swelling, pain, redness and itching at the site. For stings to the face or mouth, you may notice pawing at the mouth, salivating more than usual or facial swelling.
Above all else, remain calm—most dogs and cats can cope well with a wasp or bee sting, and do not need immediate veterinary treatment. Bites or stings from insects rarely make pets ill, but your pet will likely be itchy and sore. Most of the time the swelling will be self-limiting.
Sometimes, you may see the stinger left in the skin. Use a magnifying glass and tweezers to remove the stinger, if possible, while being careful not to get bitten or scratched in the process. Squeezing the site while the stinger is still in place may release more venom, so it is better to try and gently scrape the skin with something blunt, such as a credit card, as another method to remove the stinger. If you can’t find a stinger, it most likely fell out. Bathe the skin in cool water to soothe discomfort, and prevent your pet from licking the area and causing further skin trauma.
While uncommon, allergic reactions to wasp and bee stings can progress to life-threatening emergencies if they escalate to anaphylaxis, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea or collapse. Seek immediate veterinary attention if your pet shows signs of a significant allergic reaction, especially if swelling is seen around the face.
If your pet requires in-person treatment, Nationwide pet insurance covers eligible veterinary expenses for bee and wasp stings. Get a quote.
If you’re unsure about your pet’s health, don’t wait and worry—members have access to Nationwide VetHelpline® to answer any questions and help pet parents determine the level of veterinary care required. Download it from the App Store or Google Play.