Well, dogs get bitten by fleas and insects now and then, what is a big deal if dogs get stung by yellow jackets? It is! My pals. In some circumstances, dogs can face severe reactions to simple bites. How? Lets read
Why a yellow jacket is dangerous to dogs?
Yellowjackets belong to species of wasps. Now, how fire ants are different from normal ants? In the same way, yellow wasps are more active and fiery little monsters than normal wasps. They are comparatively small in size and more aggressive.
Normally wasps sting when they are provoked but yellow wasps are different. Also, it doesn’t lose its sting after the first bite like most other stinging insects do. So they don’t only bite your dog uninvitedly but can also bite multiple times.
Yellow wasps sting can be fatal to your dogs in some cases. So it is quite safe to say that you need to keep yourself and your pets away from these venomous little predators.
Dog stung by Yellow Jacket
When a dog is stung by any wasp or yellow jacket, the venom will cause swelling and irritation in the area. The severity of the condition will tell if you need to take your dog urgently to the vet or not. We still suggest that even if you have a treatment available at home, take a vet appointment.
As a yellow jacket can sting multiple times, it is important to check if your dog is stung by a yellow jacket only once or multiple times. Mostly your dog gets stung by bees in the mouth. The infected area will have a clear swelling and redness. Your dog will feel pain and might not allow you to touch the infected area at all.
If a dog is stung multiple times by yellow jackets, the amount of swelling can scare you. Also, it’s very harmful to dogs and may cause an emergency alert.
How to know the dog is stung by a yellow jacket?
The sting is painful. Mostly your dog will yelp and make the whining voices to show pain. Yellowjackets sting will cause itching too so if your dog is rubbing an area with painful voices, check for possible insect bites. Mostly the dog will lick the infected area. If the wasp has stung your dog in legs or paws you will notice clear limping while walking.
So overall dogs stung by wasp symptoms include
- Redness
- Itching
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Limping
- Howling and yelping sound
- Drooling
- Seizures
- Swelling and puffing
- Vomiting
- Difficulty in breathing
Dog stung by the yellow jacket in the mouth?
Sometimes dogs eat flies or wasps hanging around. Most dogs do this to kill their boredom (Read our article can dog eat flies). Wasps are dangerous creatures to mess with. For the sake of their safety yellow jacket might sting back in your dog’s mouth. It can sting in the throat or tongue and can cause serious illness. A bee sting in a dog’s mouth can cause difficulty in breathing due to swelling. Take your dog to the vet for treatment.
What to do if a dog is stung by a yellow jacket?
As soon as you realize, the yellow jacket has stung your dog, you need to treat it. The treatment depends on the severity of the sting. First, try to soothe the pain to ease your dog. Try
Cool compress
As sting will cause a burning sensation that will continue for hours so comfort your dog with cool compresses. Also, this will make the area numb and will reduce the pain significantly.
Give antihistamines
In some cases, insect bites can cause allergic reactions, vomiting, and fevers in pets. Antihistamines reduce the pain and swelling in dogs. As these are used to reduce fever and allergic symptoms too so it will help your dog.
Benadryl is a common antihistamine given to dogs for yellow jacket sting. It is completely safe and the recommended dose for dogs is 1mg per pound weight of a dog. However, young puppies are recommended to take half the above dose. (Also read zimecterin gold for dogs)
Use corticosteroid lotions
Corticosteroid lotions are applied directly on the skin to ease itching, pain, and irritation. Gently use corticosteroid lotions on the area where the yellow jacket has stung.
Is a yellow jacket sting life-threatening to a dog?
In most cases, the yellow jacket sting will cause redness and swelling with pain. In some other cases, the yellow jacket sting can cause fever and allergic reactions. Your dog may need monitored medicine for this. Talk to your vet about it.
In some rare cases, the yellow jacket bite can be fatal to your dog. A phenomenon called anaphylactic reaction can happen. This is an allergic reaction to toxicity or venom and it can cause breathing difficulty, rashes, low pulse, and in some cases a shock which is called anaphylactic shock.
How to treat your dog in case of Anaphylactic shock?
If the yellow jacket sting is going to cause anaphylactic shock in your dog, mostly it happens within 10 minutes of stinging. You need to act timely. Take your dog to the vet in an emergency.
The treatment of shock includes IV fluids, anti-inflammatory medicines, and epinephrine. As anaphylactic shock can slow down heart rate, epinephrine is given to boost metabolism, heart rate, and blood sugar, etc.
To protect your dog timely from getting an anaphylactic reaction always keep a sting kit handy. Especially if your dog has a history of an anaphylactic reaction. This kit mostly includes a dose of antihistamines and an injection of epinephrine. It will help to treat your dog in case of an emergency.
How to keep your dog safe from yellow jacket sting?
If you live in an area where yellow wasps exist you need to take precautionary measures. Yellowjackets are stubborn and keep coming. They attack in peace so you need to repel them to avoid their sting. Few tips will help you to keep yellow jackets away. Keep your pets and home safe with these easy to do home remedies
Plant wormwoods
Certain plants keep the yellow jacket away. Wormwoods are evergreen and can be planted in patios for repelling wasps.
The Cucumber magic
Wasps hate some scents and they avoid going near that area. Place a layer of cucumber slices on an aluminum sheet near the patios. The cucumber + aluminum will create an unpleasant scent detectable by wasps.
Spearmint
Yellow wasps also hate the fragrant spearmint. Use this opportunity to both freshen your home and repel the wasps. Plant spearmint anywhere in a pot, patios, or ground and say goodbye to tiny creatures thirsty for fresh skin to bite.
Peppermint
As refreshing as any mint is, wasps hate them. No need to spray hard chemicals in your home or your dog. You can simply apply peppermint oil and it will keep fleas and wasps away from your dog. Other plants that keep yellow wasps away are
- Lemongrass
- Thyme
- Eucalyptus
- Pennyroyal
Use collar
Some dog owners use collars to keep fleas and ticks away from dogs. Read our article is seresto collars making dogs sick to know more about collars.
What about a little deception?
Yes, deception works. Wasps don’t make a nest where they already suspect one. Ah, weird territory rules!. You can deceive the yellow wasps by installing a fake nest made of duct tape and foam. Installing near dog kennel will ensure yellow jackets are not going to be nasty neighbors.
Remove the nest
If you have spotted any nest near the kennel or your home, you are in danger. Yellowjacket can follow and sting you and trust us it will. You have to remove the nest to protect your pet. For this either use a smoke method or soap solution to get rid of them.
I have personally used soap and water to keep Leonidus safe from wasps and I found it very effective. Just mix soap and water and spray over the nest. I have seen wasps falling instantly as soon as the water touches them. However, you have to repeat it to kill them all.
Another way is to remove the nest but you might need professional help to take the nest away. Trying it yourself is risky and wasps could sting you.
In short, yellow jackets are not something to be ignored. Most insects may be harmless but yellow jackets are not. If your dog is stung by a yellow jacket, start treatment as early as possible.