Wasp Stings

frances · 07-20-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi!

I think Pippin has been stung by a wasp or bee. His paw is swollen and he is limping, otherwise he is acting perfectly normally. He is always chasing them so I can only assume this is what's happened. Should I be worried?

Frances

KarenA · 07-20-2009, 01:54 PM

I don't think so unless he has some other issues that manifest themselves. But a call to the vet couldn't hurt! Hopefully this will slow down his chasing them.

calicokitty · 07-20-2009, 02:34 PM

Monitor him for any adverse behavior, or additional swelling. Normally, this passes, and they learn their lesson on what to chase.

LindaD · 07-20-2009, 02:47 PM

Keep an eye on him and check on swelling that might go up his leg. If you see additional swelling and/or trouble breathing, get to the vet.

Within days after we got our dog Bacchus, a doberman rescue, he must have gotten stung by a bee in his mouth. About 10-15 minutes after bringing him inside after a walk, we noticed he was pawing at his mouth. When I looked, I could see his face was swelling up. I called a vet and told them I was rushing over (it was 5:30 and they closed at 6 pm). By the time I got there (about 20 minutes later) he had wrinkles on top of wrinkles on his face, his eyes were swelling shut, his ears were horribly swollen, his neck was swollen and it was going down his legs. The vet quickly administered IV steroids, something he had never done with an allergic reaction before. He called it the worst case he had ever seen and the dog probably would have died if we hadn't gotten him to the vet quickly. By the time we left the vet a half hour later, the swelling was going down and he could see again (his eyes were swollen completely shut shortly after arriving at the vet's office). By the time we got home again, he was looking much more normal. So, the reactions can be very severe. What we now do is give him Benadryl (or it's generic equivalent) if we even suspect a sting. And we keep the clover cut short where he is likely to walk.

I'm not trying to be scary, but a severe reaction can be deadly in animals just as it is in people. Now we always have Benadryl on hand and use it readily if we even suspect he's had an encounter. It works for people too!

I certainly hope your Pippin doesn't have such a reaction, but keep an eye on him.

Linda

frances · 07-20-2009, 03:06 PM

Thanks so much for your quick responses. It does seem to be only his paw that is swollen but I am watching carefully in case he does have some adverse reaction, although I think it would have happened by now. The vet is shut but I can ring the emergency number if necessary. Bramley's just come over to wash Pippin! Hopefully he won't chase wasps anymore, I did tell him this morning to be careful! I'll let you know how he goes.

Frances

MarciD · 07-20-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaD

Keep an eye on him and check on swelling that might go up his leg. If you see additional swelling and/or trouble breathing, get to the vet.

Within days after we got our dog Bacchus, a doberman rescue, he must have gotten stung by a bee in his mouth. About 10-15 minutes after bringing him inside after a walk, we noticed he was pawing at his mouth. When I looked, I could see his face was swelling up. I called a vet and told them I was rushing over (it was 5:30 and they closed at 6 pm). By the time I got there (about 20 minutes later) he had wrinkles on top of wrinkles on his face, his eyes were swelling shut, his ears were horribly swollen, his neck was swollen and it was going down his legs. The vet quickly administered IV steroids, something he had never done with an allergic reaction before. He called it the worst case he had ever seen and the dog probably would have died if we hadn't gotten him to the vet quickly. By the time we left the vet a half hour later, the swelling was going down and he could see again (his eyes were swollen completely shut shortly after arriving at the vet's office). By the time we got home again, he was looking much more normal. So, the reactions can be very severe. What we now do is give him Benadryl (or it's generic equivalent) if we even suspect a sting. And we keep the clover cut short where he is likely to walk.

I'm not trying to be scary, but a severe reaction can be deadly in animals just as it is in people. Now we always have Benadryl on hand and use it readily if we even suspect he's had an encounter. It works for people too!

I certainly hope your Pippin doesn't have such a reaction, but keep an eye on him.

Linda

The problem is that is there's a severe reaction Benedryl isn't going to do a thing. And I can honestly say this with a whole lot of confidence. I'm violently allergic to bee stings (and wasps and yellowjackets) and 20 minutes is all I have to get medical attention. Epinephrine is the only thing that will save someone with a severe allergy and if you're stung multiple times even that isn't going to help (yes, I've had a doctor tell me point blank that if I'm stung multiple times I can just kiss this world goodbye).

frances · 07-21-2009, 03:25 AM

Fortunately Pippin hasn't had any bad reactions and his paw is back to normal size this morning. Phew!
Does anyone know if cats are the same as humans - if they have a reaction one time then the next time they are stung it gets worse and then can be fatal? I don't know if this is if you are allergic to stings or just if you get stung. Marci, you seem to be the expert (please avoid getting stung!), perhaps you would know.

Frances

GailS · 07-21-2009, 08:03 AM

Oh boy I'm glad Pippin is better now.

Tolly got stung on his foot a couple of times in his younger days, and once on the nose. Since then I think he has finally learned to leave the bees alone.

There's an apple tree in our little yard and in the fall when the apples fall is when there are a ton of bees.

Gail

mitch · 07-21-2009, 09:26 AM

glad Pippin is better.

remember, baking soda for bee stings, tea bags/lemon juice/vinegar for wasp/hornet stings.

bee venom is acidic, so alkaline baking soda neutralizes.
wasp/hornet venom is alkaline, so acidic tea bags/lemon juice/vinegar neutralizes.

.m

/the more you know

frances · 07-21-2009, 11:54 AM

I don't think Pippin has learned from his experience yet - he was after anything that flew this morning! Now we have flying ants to add to the excitement. Bramley also chases wasps so no doubt he'll be stung soon too. They are such a worry! (but worth it!).
Frances