In the spring, there is an emergence of bees, hornets, wasps, and other stinging insects, active until fall. Bees are day-active, while some types of worker hornets can be seen at night. This poses a nearly round-the-clock risk for Shih Tzu dogs when outdoors, more prone to stings than some other breeds, due to their low height and coat of hair (as opposed to thick fur). Stings can cause pain or severe allergic reactions, sometimes leading to emergencies.
What if your Shih Tzu encounters aggressive bees and what steps should you take for a sting? Let's explore the risks posed by bees, hornets, yellow jackets, wasps, and red ants, how to handle stings or swarming, preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of attacks, and treatments for stings.
Insects like bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants are common in various environments. While they play crucial roles in our ecosystem, their stings can be problematic, especially for canines. Let's take a quick look:
Bees, known for their vital role in pollination, can sting when threatened. A bee's sting can cause pain and swelling in dogs. Unlike humans, dogs might get stung in the mouth or throat if they try to catch the bee, which can be dangerous due to swelling.
Wasps, which are more aggressive than bees, can sting multiple times. Their stings can cause dogs to have localized pain and swelling. In some cases, dogs might have an allergic reaction, which requires immediate veterinary attention.
Hornets are larger and more aggressive than many other stinging insects. Their stings can be quite painful and can cause significant swelling and discomfort in dogs. Multiple stings or a single sting near the face or inside the mouth can be particularly dangerous.
Yellow jackets are aggressive and can sting repeatedly. Their stings can be very painful for dogs, leading to swelling and itching. Like wasp stings, yellow jacket stings can also cause allergic reactions in some Shih Tzu dogs.
Fire ants can inflict painful stings. These stings can cause red, swollen spots that are itchy and uncomfortable for dogs. In cases of multiple bites, dogs can experience severe pain and potentially serious allergic reactions.
Other Relevant Insects: Bald-Faced Hornets can deliver a painful sting, causing swelling and pain in dogs, similar to other hornet stings. And European Paper Wasp stings can be painful and cause similar reactions in dogs as other wasp stings.
5 Facts to Know:
#1 Even if your Shih Tzu has previously tolerated multiple stings, a single sting can potentially cause a life-threatening reaction next time. A Shih Tzu might be fine after a bee sting but severely allergic to a wasp. Therefore, it's important to closely monitor your dog for at least an hour after any sting.
#2 If your Shih Tzu is stung more than 15 times, it's advisable to visit the vet, as the accumulation of venom can cause a toxic reaction. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, fainting, convulsions, and fever. For humans, the threshold is 8.6 stings per 10 lbs. of body weight.
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