Treatment for Insect Bites

Spring is here and so is the season for insect bites! The most common calls that I get are for the multiple, fire ant bites, or for the swollen faced wasp or bee sting. Both of these are painful, but they need to be handled slightly differently.

Lets take fire ants first. When your buddy Pookie decides that he would like to lay on the nice big sand pile in the yard with all the cute little red things (well light gray for him, he's color blind) running around on it, you can bet that there is going to be trouble (note that I am using a dog in this example because no self respecting cat would EVER lay in a filthy sand pile). The severity of the trouble relies upon two things, first the number of ants that swarm upon the pet, and second the size of the pet.

A few ants can be brushed off quickly and a little Benadryl Cream or Cortisone cream can be applied to the bites. If you find that there is a large swarm of ants on your buddy then I suggest quickly rinsing your dog with water. Cool water will help to relieve the burning and itching. I then recommend calling your vet (especially if you have a smaller dog). They may recommend a home remedy of an over-the-counter medication or they may want to see Pookie immediately.

If your Buddy gets stung by a bee, wasp or yellow jacket, it usually occurs around the face and lips (sometimes IN the mouth). This is because many of our doggy friends like to put things in their mouths. Well, they get stung and the swelling begins! Don't worry about the stinger. Place an ice pack upon the offended body part and call your vet. Usually they will be able to give you a dosage of Benadryl appropriate for your dog’s weight. However if you find that your friend has gotten into a squabble with a nest of these tough critters, I suggest water again and an immediate emergency call to your Veterinarian. This can be a situation that requires hospitalization and supportive care.

The best rule of thumb is to keep an eye on where Pookie is poking his or her nose. Just make a conscious effort to follow them to keep trouble at bay so you can enjoy the outdoors together.

Presented by The Mobile Animal Hospital, Dr. Spezio, (941) 526-8046.