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Bee Sting Remedies

Updated: 10/18/2009

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Do you know how you would react and what action you would take if your pet was stung by a bee?  It's hard to say what you would do because if it has never happened to your pet, you would have no way of knowing exactly how they would react to the situation.  But just like humans, many pets are allergic to bee stings and it's frightening to think about what could happen if you did not act quickly.

Let's go through a few options for treating that bee sting based on some different scenarios.

Your first priority should be to remove the stinger from your pet, as it will be left behind.  Even though the bee has gone it is possible that the stinger is still seeping poison into your pet so you want to remove it as soon as possible.  Use something with a bit of a sharper edge to scrape the stinger free from the skin. 

Your next step is to ensure that your pet is breathing properly.  The poison from a bee sting can cause a pet to go into anaphylactic shock and you will know the signs of it if your pet appears weak, is trembling, vomiting, has diarrhea, is breathing quickly, wheezing, has pale gums, fever or actually collapses.  Hopefully this situation does not present itself, but if it does time will critical at this point and you will want to get your pet emergency help immediately.  During this time make sure you keep your pet warm and help to keep him or her conscious by putting some Karo Syrup or Honey on their gums.

If the scenario we just discussed does not occur it is still likely that the sting will result in some swelling.  If so, there are a number of things that you can do to help reduce the swelling and relieve your pet of its discomfort.  You can use an over the counter antihistamine by administering 1 milligram for every pound of body weight, so a ten- pound animal would get about 3/4 of a teaspoon.  You can also dab the antihistamine directly onto the site of the sting.  You will probably need to repeat the dose every six to eight hours.

You can also sooth your pet's pain by administering a cold pack to the affected area for approximately ten to thirty minutes several times a day.  Or another option is to make a Baking Soda Poultice.  Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to create a thick paste and dab the mixture onto the swelled area.  This could be a little bit messy if you are treating an area with thick or long hair so you may want to trim the area a bit beforehand.


DISCLAIMER
* Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet's unique needs or diagnose your pet's particular medical history.





APIS MELLIFICA

2 YEA

[YEA]  02/23/2009: Tamara from Tucson, AZ writes: "My pit bull was snapping at bees yesterday, little did I know she had eaten 9 of them. Her face swelled up, and she vomited. Unfortunately, she is allergic to benedryl. I keep prednisone on hand for her because of the allergy, and also gave her a high dose of apis mellifica homeopathic remedy .

I probably could have just used the apis, but panicked!! Don't discount apis mellifica even for bee sting allergies. I have a friend who is allergic to bee stings who decided to try it for a bee sting (keeping her epi pen at the ready) and the apis mellifica homeopathic remedy worked! No side effects! ( I read that epinephren side effects can be made worse if on maoi's) I will always have apis mellifica in the house, and I hope that the prednisone tip is useful to anyone who has pets or people allergic to benedryl.

Anyhoo, we circled the emergency vet block in the car for an hour until I was sure the swelling was down, then we went home. Everyone fine."

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[YEA]  08/23/2008: Cindy from Wichita, USA writes: "I always keep high potency Apis Mellifica homeopathic remedy on hand. My daughter is allergic to bee stings.

Natural remedies for animals seem to fly in the face of those who claim they only work as placebos.

Shake some unprocessed sea salt into the pooch's water. Domestic animals are notoriously salt deficient. If you know of someone who has a pet with arthritis, you can see the benefits of the watercure immediately. Just shake some sea salt in their water dish. I don't know if it's the salt or if it is the fact that they seem to drink more water if it has a pinch of salt in it, but it works. The "placebo effect" claims so often used against natural remedies won't hold up against a dog that is cured of arthritis or a child cured of asthma."

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BAKING SODA


07/16/2009: Health Nut from Los Angeles, Ca writes: "My little Yorkie got stung on one of his front paws a couple of months ago and he was hurting and unable to walk on it. I quickly got online in search of a home remedy, being that the vet's office was closed at the time. Anyway, someone suggested making a baking soda paste and to rub it on the infected/swollen area. I made the paste using 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. water (my dog is only 4lbs. so I didn't need so much). As long as you use equal parts 50/50 you should be fine. Well let me say that it worked! Within a couple of hours the swelling was not only down but gone and my little guy was able to happily trot around again."

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BAKING SODA, BENADRYL

1 YEA

[YEA]  08/11/2009: Lou from Bound Brook, Nj writes: "I was baby sitting my daughters 1 year old Brittney Spaniel, he got stung by a bee above the eye.Your info was very helpful. I gave him half a Benadryl he weights about 25 lbs. It seemed to calm him and the golf ball size swelling around his eye went down in a couple of hours. He didn't like the baking soda paste to much but it also seemed to help.Thanks again, my daughter will be home from work any minute and all is well."

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BENADRYL

28 YEA
1 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
1 SIDE EFFECT

[YEA]  10/18/2009: Elizabeth from Bakersfield, California writes: "bee sting remedies for dogs

Last night my 2 yr old mixed breed (wire haired doxie and traveling salesman) stepped on a bee and I wasn't quite sure what to do. I did think about anaphylatic shock so watched for that. I googled the problem and got your web site and benadryl was suggested. I had some benadryl tabs so crushed one ( 1/2 of a 25 mg) up and mixed it with peanut butter - WA-LA it worked he slept like a log! This AM I gave him another 1/2 as his little paw was kind of swelled and he was licking and nibbling at it. I did get the stinger out last night. Thank you!"

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[YEA]  08/05/2009: Lori from Scottsburg, Indiana writes: "My Basset Hound Jethroe was either stung or got into some fire ants he is very nosy when outside gave him Benadryl and it really worked"

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[YEA]  06/01/2009: Chris from Mt. Albert, Ontario, Canada writes: "Dog bee/wasp sting on Springer Spaniel's eye: I Notice my dog Heidi, had a red swollen eye~upper lid, I immediately gave her 25mg Benadryl caplet, got a towel with cool water, wiped eye down sideways to ensure no stinger left behind, applied towel with ice cubes to calm down dog from scratching and panicking gave her some ice cubes to eat as to cool her throat from swelling, within 25 minutes she was calm, eye of course still swollen, but sleeping without her eye throbing anf bothering her, this is the second time its happened the first time she was a puppy, I rushed her to the emergency vets (of course after hours - regular vet was already closed and the cost was over 200.00 dollars, it was quite a shock, they said they gave her a needle to immediately effect the sting reaction to her face from swelling even more - she looked like some sort of alien dog...it was just awful (something out of the movies, the vets also at the time suggested I go out and buy - benadryl and give to the pup 1 caplet of benadryl 25 mg for the next 5 days (they wil get diareahia of course) but that is normal. Great news for anyone that wants to save the cost of around $200.00 Canadian dollars - This time, I knew what to do and believed that the benadryl is fast and good enough to calm down and get fast results - keep it handy at all times when you have pets! I am so relieved that I knew what to do this time. Thank you! Saved the dog and money that needs to go for other bills...........take care and good luck!"

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[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/22/2009: Eobie01 from Collinsville, Illinois writes: "I took my 4 year old boxer to the emergency vet clinic, she had hives on her legs and back, she was panting a lot, her tummy was a little red, and when she walked her feet kept coming out from under her and she would just stretch it out. We told the vet all of these problems and she said that it was most likely caused by a bit or sting of some sort. Now Bailey our boxer has been stung before and was given a steroid shot and some benadryl and had no side effects. This time it is different (just to let you know they gave her 2ml of benadryl and 4 cc Dex S/P). We took her to the vet at around 9pm and we left there at 9:30pm. When we got home we let her outside and she seemed fine, then we went to bed. I was up watching tv and she just started to pant and breathe kind of funny, then she started to whine. I just laid there with her for a little bit to see if it would go away and after about 30 min I called the vet to let them know what she was doing. They said that this was a side effect of benadryl. At the time of first writing this it was 1am. Now it is 5:12am and I have been up all night with her. All night she was pacing and laying down and was trying to get comfortable but couldn't. A few times she would put her head under the bed or she would sit up and just stare. And all the while she would start to whine again. Now she is pacing from our bedroom out to the hallway and she just got sick. I am going to be calling the vet first thing in the morning. I don't like what I have seen."

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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  02/10/2009: Vic from Hong Kong, HK SAR writes: "Thanks for the reassurance your site has given me. After my 3 yo 25kg Husky apparently got stung by a tropical bee and the advice from an emergency vet clinic was to use antihistamines, he seems to have less irritation and anxiety. Time will tell to see if the swelling goes down and he gets back his energy. 8mg of drug have chilled him out a whole lot."

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[YEA]  01/10/2009: Desiree from Portland, OR writes: "Benedryl has been shown to cause premature dementia (not that dementia is a normal part of aging). I wouldn't say it is not harmless. I don't recommend anyone take it on a regular basis. I read this in a report about 10 years ago. I can't believe this information is still not mainstream and so many people are still using it."

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[YEA]  09/11/2008: Kay Amante from Montague, Michigan writes: "My husband took Jack our 2yr old Great Dane into our woods. Jack found a yellow jacket nest and was stung about 80 times in the face, neck, & back. He had really bad swelling all over. His head and mouth were the worse. He couldn't breath properly, and he was in a lot of pain. So I looked up dog bee stings on the internet and I was sent to this site. I gave Jack benadryl the dose someone on Earth clinic had recommended. It really took the swelling down on his head and made it so he could breath right again. Now Jack is sleeping like a baby and not crying anymore. Thank you for your help!"

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[YEA]  08/21/2008: Dave from Lyndeborough, NH writes: "Our dog Trevor, a 3 year old, 80 lb Walker Hound, was stung today by bees or wasps at least 80 times all over his head, face and legs. He was in massive pain and his face and neck swelled up very very big while he rubbed his face all over the ground and then all over the rug trying to make it stop. He would not let me put ice or cold peas anywhere near him, so I dumped some ice water over his head, much to his chagrin. Fortunately, his breathing stayed pretty normal, a little fast and a little shaky but probably mostly from pain and being frightened. I had to take his collar off, the swelling of his neck was making it hard to breathe. But his airway stayed open, he did not wheeze or collapse, and I gave him 3 25mg benadryls in peanut butter to help the swelling and pain. He seems okay now, just drowsy, and the swelling is subsiding thanks to the benadryl. I think if he had been more allergic to bees, that many stings would have killed him very quickly."

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[YEA]  08/16/2008: Richard from Lombard, Illinois writes: "Thank you for helping my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Oreo, get over her sting. At 9 months old, she is still quite inquisitive and chases bugs in the yard. After coming in from play, we noticed her nose and mouth were quite swollen. I immediately called my good friend who is a veterinarian. The call went into voice mail, so I looked up "dog bee sting", and got your web site. I had topical Benadryl Gel, so I applied some to the sting site. It seemed to keep her eyes from swelling closed. We went and got Benadryl liquid and administered it with an oral syringe. My vet friend called me back and applauded our actions. Your timely information was just what the doctor would have done for Oreo."

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[YEA]  08/14/2008: Angela from Verona, ON writes: "I am a tech at an animal hospital and had delt with meany pets and bee stings. Not until it happen to my own puppy did I really feel the panic that goes through an owner Abby my puppy had an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting her toung swelled up and she couldnt breath properly it started out looking like she just had something in her mouth then about 10 min later it was so big she couldnt keep it in her mouth. We had a previous reaction to bee stings where her face would swell up so i had benadryl on hand gave her some and there was no inprovment. so i took her to work and gave everything we had used in other dogs. shes all better now with a little after swelling adema but okay.I will always have benadryl on hand now!"

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[YEA]  07/31/2008: Jamie from Eden Prairie, Minnesota writes: "Thank you so much for publishing the information about bee stings. My 5 yo Basset got stung on the foot tonight and wouldn't put any weight on her leg. I googled bee sting treatment for dogs and found this information.

I gave her a tsp of benedryl and crushed up some baby asprin. I wish I would have known about the disolve strips before today so I could have them on hand - getting her to swallow the liquid was a bit tough. She didn't like the ice AT ALL, but snuggling her while I put the ice pack on her chubby little leg made it tolerable. My poor baby girl."

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[YEA]  07/27/2008: Kerri from Granite City, Illinois, USA writes: "I have a sweet little chihuahau that gets easily excited on trips so my vet told me to give her benadryl to relax her. She gets so excited that she gets diarhea and vomits too so, I keep it on hand. She was stung by a bee this afternoon and I panicked. She still had the stinger in her paw so I carried her inside and removed it. I was so thankful to have the Benadryl. I cleaned her pad with rubbing alcohol, that always helps my stings, and gave her the pill. She still won't use that leg after a few hours but I'm so glad I didn't need to rush her to the vet. She's so sensitive that if she gets all of her annual shots on the same visit she will blow up like a puffer fish. Thank you for this site, it reminded me about the baking soda paste."



07/29/2008: Teresa from Kenedy, Texas replies: "Hi, I also have chihuahua and was wondering what dosage you used. The capsule form comes in 25mg and am afraid that this dosage might be too strong for their weight."


08/15/2008: Lisa from Manchester, UK replies: "Wasp sting is Alkaline therefore you need to treat with an Acid =Vinegar. Bee sting is an Acid so therefore is to be treated with an Alkaline = Bicarb of Soda."

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[YEA]  07/22/2008: Maria from Miami, FL writes: "My cavalier king charles got stung by bee for the second time!!! I couldn't believe it but yes.... after the lesson learned we used the oral strips of benadryl that disolve immediately and it worked great!!!! we also gave him lots of water and made sure he didn't faint or become unconsious like the first time.... if this were to happen run to the emergency room!!!"

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[YEA]  06/26/2008: Jeffrey from Seattle, US writes: "My 10yo pitbull was stung by a bee while soaking up some sun in our new yard. His face and tongue swelled immediately I am a nurse, so i usually have some Benadryl on hand. I gave him the same dose he recieved for several black fly bites previously while camping, and the swelling was profoundly reduced. I want to thank the person who suggested the instant dissolvable strips, because I had no idea they even existed. Kudos dog lovers!"



07/05/2008: Elaine from Plainfield, NJ replies: "Just gave my 4 year old 40lb basset 25 mg of Benydryl after her mussle swelled after a bee sting on her foot (I saw it happen). I'm wondering how long before the swelling goes down typically and when or if should I repeat the dose? Her breathing is fine, she's sleeping right now, was hungry enough to want dinner, so she seems fine."

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[YEA]  06/20/2008: Cassie from Columbus, OH writes: "I was shocked this afternoon to find my beagle's face swollen to twice its size. I assumed it was a sting, so I went on-line and found your site right away. I gave him children's benadryl mixed with peanut butter & milk and he lapped it up right away. Within 2 hours the swelling had gone down about half. Thanks so much for the recommendation. I wouldn't have thought of using it on my pup."



07/31/2008: Amanda from Westmoreland, NY replies: "My 4 month old Boxer got stung by a bee today. I thought she was chasing a fly! But when I got stung and it attacked me I got her home ASAP. I found this site while looking up bee stings. I didn't know that dogs could have reactions to bee stings too! I checked her out and could find no stinger but I will keep these remedy's on hand from now on. Thanks again you really helped me out!"

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[YEA]  06/12/2008: Jayne from Los Angeles, CA writes: "Bee Sting Remedy!!! thank you so much for the detailed information. My 6 mo. Havanese decided to eat a 'limping' bee from the patio. she got stung on the nose and I didn't realize what had happened until i saw the bee crawling on her nose. I googled bee stings on dogs and found your site. SO helpful.. I don't have liquid benedril but put a good dose of benedryl creme on her nose and she seems to be fine. I am continuing to watch her closely to make sure there aren't further reactions. thanks for the detail info on dose per pound. She's a puppy so I was worried about over dosing! For the future... I will KEEP liquid Benedryl in the house at all times!"

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[YEA]  05/13/2008: Sherry from Oak Park, CA writes: "Bee Sting Remedies for Pets: Bendryl 12.5 mg Quick dissolve strips. Our little dog is very allergic to bee stings (we even have an epipen) but this new product is fantastic. She got stung today (and we always carry a benadryl with us) we gave it to her and took her to Vet. We got praise from our Vet - the strip worked so fast - she still had to get two injections because she is so allergic to bee stings but her blood pressure and temperature were in a safe zone. I wanted to share the positive effects of the strip. They are easy to carry. Our vet was really impressed - Hope this helps someone else."

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[YEA]  05/05/2008: Geralyn from San Jose, California writes: "Thank you for helping me out because my 2 year old dog was stung by a bee today. She is only 5lbs so i gave her benadryl. However, I was wondering since she was stung on her left leg (she is limping on it - not using it to walk AT ALL!) will that ever go away? If so, how many days will it take for her leg to work normally again?"

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[YEA]  11/21/2007: Victoria from Anaheim , CA writes: "My little 9 lb terripoo got stung by a bee this morning while we were in the backyard. She yelped in pain and I saw the bee on her foot. I took her inside and washed the wound w/ soap and water and googled info asap. I came across your site and found these helpful remedies. I ran to the store and got her benadryl right away. She seems to be a bit groggy now but I believe she will be better in no time. Thanks so much for the valuable information!"

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[YEA]  09/26/2007: Buffy from Mount Tremper, NY writes: "Sitting here with my great dane/lab mix, thirty minutes after giving her benedryl for an apparent bee sting. She woke us up tonight vomiting, and my daughter noticed her jowl area was swollen. My husband immediately admistered the tablet , but she threw it up. She has finally kept this tablet down, and is now starting to get sleepy. My concern was her starting to have difficulty breathing, but so far, only some severe drooling. Thank God for Benedryl, indeed."

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[YEA]  08/25/2007: Karen from Independence, OH writes: "Thank you sooo much for your website. My 4 mo old puppy was stung by hornets during his morning walk. The dosage of benedryl was a lifesaver! I contacted the emergency ver, and they would not tell me anything!!! Just wanted me to bring him in...no suggestions or dosages, said they would be "liable".!! I applied the baking soda (not easy to do on puppy) and ice pack (easier), then gave him a dose of the liquid benedryl. So far, swelling is going down, and he appears to be fine. Again, thanks for the information!!"

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