Shih Tzu Stung by Bee, Wasp, Hornet, Yellow Jacket, Ants

Overview

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.

Two Things to Know About Insect Stings with Dogs

There are two elements to be aware of:

1. A reaction to any sting is independent of any previous events. A dog can be stung by several bees and do okay; however, the next time just one sting can send them into anaphylactic shock.

2. A dog can react quite differently to different insects. For example, a Shih Tzu can be stung by a hornet and handle it well; but then his body may not be able to handle being stung by a wasp.

For these reasons, prevention is crucial. And in the event of an attack, promptly treating your dog and being aware of the signs of a severe reaction are vital measures that can potentially save your Shih Tzu's life.

What to Know About Common Stinging Insects and Dogs

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.

What to Do if Your Shih Tzu is Being Attacked by Bees or Other Flying, Venomous, Stinging Insects

If your Shih Tzu is stung by bees or a swarm of hornets, the best response is to quickly but safely leave the area with your dog. Panicking or swatting at the insects only worsens the situation, as it can provoke more stings. Prioritize your Shih Tzu's safety over material possessions, which can often be retrieved later.

Note that a single bee sting releases a pheromone attracting more bees, so fleeing is the most effective course of action. Specifically, you should:

1. Pick up your Shih Tzu, holding them close to your body (this prevent stings to at least a partial area of his own body).

2. If possible, cover their body with your shirt, jacket, etc. Also, if possible, pull up your shirt to cover your face (except for your eyes, of course). Bees can sting through clothing, but this does help to some degree.

3. Your goal is to seek shelter, while being prepared that some insects may follow you inside.

4. Keep in mind that a bee can fly 12+ miles an hour, so you cannot outrun them. However, most attacks are territorial and many bees, wasps, hornets, etc. will give up chase after about 50 yards. Very aggressive bees can give chase up to 100 yards and Africanized honey bees may not give up for a mile.

5. You want to run in a straight line and if possible, run into the wind as this can slow them down.

6. Once you reach shelter, head for an interior room. Bees and other stinging insects often get confused when entering a house and may start to swarm near the windows.

7. If there are bees or other insects on your Shih Tzu, douse your little guy or gal with soapy water, as the soap film often will immobilize the insects.

At-Home Treatments for Insect Bites to a Shih Tzu

1. Do not leave your Shih Tzu alone. Remember that any sting is independent from any other attack in the dog’s history (a dog can be allergic at any time, no matter what happened before). It can take anywhere from 1 to 45 minutes for signs to appear, so it will be vital to not only treat your Shih Tzu at home, but also keep a close eye on your puppy or dog for almost an hour in case the body reacts to the venom.

2. Remove any stingers. These can continue to release venom until removed and stingers can be anywhere on a dog, so you will want to check your dog’s entire body, parting your Shih Tzu’s coat as needed. Do not attempt to pull them out or use tweezers. Scraping them out with a credit card works best.

3. Bathe your Shih Tzu. The lather from the shampoo will remove body oils, allowing topical home remedies to work their best (see below).

4. With vet approval, give Benadryl. For minor cases, this is most often recommended by veterinarians; however this only works for about 30% of canines, and with a moderate to severe reaction, emergency veterinary care will be needed. Typical dosing for canines is 1 mg (NOT ml) per pound of body weight, given every 8 hours. Do not give OTC pain meds unless instructed by the vet.

5. Treat the pain with the appropriate homemade paste, as follows, according to which type of insect has stung your puppy or dog:

If a Shih Tzu has fire ant stings: There are 2 methods of helping with this, ammonia or a mix of baking soda and water. Either of these is applied via cotton balls, dabbing the marks for 15 minutes.

If a Shih Tzu has bee stings or yellow jacket stings: Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste to neutralize the acidic venom of insect stings. Apply it to each sting mark on your Shih Tzu, letting it soak for 15 minutes. Afterward, reassess and, if needed, apply a second time.

If your Shih Tzu has wasp or hornet stings: The ‘go to’ home remedy for these is vinegar, applied via a cotton ball for at least 15 minutes. The vinegar helps to neutralize the alkalines in this sort of venom. You’ll want to make sure the cotton is soaked in this, and keep it gently pressed against the stings.

6. Apply ice as needed. If a sting is red and/or swollen, gently placing an ice pack against that area on your Shih Tzu for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off and help reduce the swelling and give some relief from the pain.

Home vs Vet Care and Allergic Reactions to Stings or Bites

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.

#3 In cases of a minor reaction, swelling and pain go away within hours.

#4 In case of a moderate reaction, swelling from a sting may last as long as 1 week. In some cases, it will get worse on day 2 or 3, before it slowly starts to get better.

#5 If you notice ANY of the following signs of emergency allergic reactions, do not hesitate to bring your Shih Tzu to the veterinarian or closest animal hospital, as it could very well save his life.

Allergic Reactions Considered to be an Emergency

While rare, an extreme allergic reaction to bee stings (or other venomous insects) can happen; this is referred to as anaphylactic shock, which is considered life-threatening. The most common signs include:

Facial Swelling – With canines, this is most noticeable about the eyes and the lips. It may affect one or both eyes.
Abnormal swelling of sting site – While some minor swelling is expected when a dog gets stung, if the swelling spreads (the bite was on the foot, but now the leg is becoming swollen, etc.) this is a red flag.
Breathing issues – The dog may have raspy breathing or start wheezing, though any change in breathing patterns is a huge red flag.
Behavior changes – This includes weakness, lethargy or confused behavior.

Other signs may include: Rash, vomiting, loss of bladder and/or bowel control and/or excessive drooling.

Emergency Treatment

If your Shih Tzu exhibits any of the aforementioned symptoms, immediate treatment is critical, as prompt action can be life-saving. Treatment typically involves an epinephrine injection, establishing an emergency airway if the dog is struggling to breathe, and administering fluids to combat shock and dehydration. Corticosteroids like dexamethasone may be used to reduce swelling, followed by antihistamines once the dog stabilizes. Most dogs will require 24 to 48 hours of observation.

Should your Shih Tzu experience such a reaction, your vet might prescribe an EpiPen for immediate post-sting treatment. If not mentioned by the vet, it's advisable to inquire about it.

Preventing Your Shih Tzu From Getting Stung

Shih Tzu next to flower with yellow jackets, illustrated

Understanding the dangers of dogs being attacked by bees and other venomous flying insects, it's natural to seek preventive measures. Fortunately, there are various steps you can take to enjoy the outdoors safely with your Shih Tzu.

1) Supervise your Shih Tzu when they are outside. Having a doggie door and fenced yard offers convenience and freedom but can be risky. Besides insects, dangers include hawks and snakes and consuming poisonous plants.

2) Routinely check your yard for any nests. We suggest doing this 1 time per month. Also keep an eye out at the dog park or other outside areas that you frequently bring your Shih Tzu to. At home, you do not want to disturb a nest; we recommend using a professional exterminator. Out in public, report large nests to your city or town.

3) Take caution if your Shih Tzu wants to sniff. Many of the insects we have discussed build homes under things… logs, bushes, flower beds, under shrubbery, etc. or in holes in the grass. And these are areas that dogs like to sniff. This puts your Shih Tzu at risk for disturbing hives. You’ll want to keep your dog near you, on leash. As always, we recommend a harness instead of a collar, so that you can have good control over your dog, able to pull him away without harming the neck.

4) Keep your Shih Tzu inside when doing yard work. Bees and other such stinging insects are often disturbed due to loud noises such as lawn mowers or weed trimmers. Also, pruning bushes and other such tasks can provoke a nest.

5) Keep your Shih Tzu inside right after the yard is mowed. The smell of freshly cut grass has been shown to aggravate honey bees (other strong scents such as perfumes or even bug repellent spray that smells like lemon can disturb bees). In addition, for dogs with allergies, this is prime time to them to inhale allergens that are kicked up into the air.

6) Do not worry about being overly cautious. Removing yourself and your Shih Tzu from an area with bees is not an overreaction. Bees often give warning before they attack; they may fly at your face or buzz around you. This is a warning sign and should be paid attention to. Do not feel shy about picking up your Shih Tzu and leaving the area. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

7) But do not let all of this scare you. While the prospect of bee stings and swarm attacks can be daunting, it shouldn't deter you from enjoying outdoor activities with your Shih Tzu. Regular exercise and time spent outdoors contribute to a longer, healthier life and better behavior for your pet. Remember, massive bee attacks and severe reactions are rare. By following these prevention steps and being prepared to respond appropriately, you can ensure the safety of your Shih Tzu.

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