So Sick Of Bee Stings!

[Alkhe]

Last week my 10 year old dog Mimi was stung by a bee at the park. I didn't know at the time what had happened, but as soon as I started describing what happened, the vet said "ahh.. sounds like a bee sting!" Sure enough, there was the stinger. She was given an antihistimine injection and cortisone also - I actually remembered while in the surgery that she had been stung as a pup and had a terrible reaction. Gone into shock and then unconscious, and I actually thought she had died in my arms on the way to the vet.

She's the 3rd or 4th dog in my area to have been stung by a bee in the last month or so.

And tonight it happened to Maggie! (I think - could have been an ant or something I suppose, we couldn't find the stinger this time). We rushed her to the emergency vet because I'm paranoid about allergic reactions now, and she was given the same shots etc.

I'm just so annoyed at the bloody bees! I don't know what to do - they just seem to be everywhere. I've noticed a couple myself, but the dogs just seem to walk straight over them. The stings that I've seen and heard about have all been on paws.

Just a little vent. Feel free to join me!

[RiverStar-Aura]

I feel your pain. My poor Zeusling is allergic to bee stings and I found this out the hard way. We were at the dog park when Zeus starting chewing his foot and was limping. I called him over to look and found nothing; he then proceeded to hoon off like nothing happened.

A few minutes later I noticed he was lagging behind and when I called, he very slowly walked over. I offered him a treat, which he refused then he collapsed on the ground and was completely unresponsive.

I was panicked; his muzzle went red and he was a limp, dead weight. Luckily another lady at the park offered to come with me to the nearest vet clinic. I had to carry him the length of the park and into the car where he still didn't move.

He vomited in the waiting room, I was shaking and in tears whilst trying to fill out the paperwork as we'd never been to this vet before.

The vet was lovely and explained that he'd probably been stung before, which is why it's worse this time -- he's become allergic to stings -- and gave him a shot of something. He took Zeus out the back and had me wait with Kirah in the waiting room to see if he improved -- if not I was told he'd be spending the night.

We were very lucky it was only a "mild" reaction and Zeusling was led out all happy and bouncing about an hour later. It was the longest hour of my life.

Since then, I've been paranoid about bee stings because we've got a lot of flowering natives in our backyard and I worry that something will happen when I'm at work. Luckily my 2 of my brothers are home all the time and I've asked the youngest one to keep an eye and ear out.

Long story short, I don't hate bees as I love honey, but I hate their stings!!

[Alkhe]

I feel your pain. My poor Zeusling is allergic to bee stings and I found this out the hard way. We were at the dog park when Zeus starting chewing his foot and was limping. I called him over to look and found nothing; he then proceeded to hoon off like nothing happened.

A few minutes later I noticed he was lagging behind and when I called, he very slowly walked over. I offered him a treat, which he refused then he collapsed on the ground and was completely unresponsive.

I was panicked; his muzzle went red and he was a limp, dead weight. Luckily another lady at the park offered to come with me to the nearest vet clinic. I had to carry him the length of the park and into the car where he still didn't move.

He vomited in the waiting room, I was shaking and in tears whilst trying to fill out the paperwork as we'd never been to this vet before.

The vet was lovely and explained that he'd probably been stung before, which is why it's worse this time -- he's become allergic to stings -- and gave him a shot of something. He took Zeus out the back and had me wait with Kirah in the waiting room to see if he improved -- if not I was told he'd be spending the night.

We were very lucky it was only a "mild" reaction and Zeusling was led out all happy and bouncing about an hour later. It was the longest hour of my life.

Since then, I've been paranoid about bee stings because we've got a lot of flowering natives in our backyard and I worry that something will happen when I'm at work. Luckily my 2 of my brothers are home all the time and I've asked the youngest one to keep an eye and ear out.

Long story short, I don't hate bees as I love honey, but I hate their stings!!

Zeus's story is exactly like Mim's first sting when she was a pup - went limp in my arms, vomited and lost control of her bowels.. it was terrifying. I suppose the good thing is that at least we're now prepared and know what to look out for - some kind of silver lining?

I'm kind of scared to read that dogs can become allergic to them, that's terribleeeeee. I hate not being able to control things like this! It's easier with food allergies where you can at least prevent them from eating the thing in question, or control it as much as you can. You're right though - I do actually love bees, and am very disturbed that their numbers are dwindling. I just wish they didn't bloody sting!

[RiverStar-Aura]

I asked the vet if they've made epi-pens for dogs that I can carry around in case of more stings. He laughed and said sadly no, there's no such thing.

It's a total blessing that at least now I know Zeus is allergic to bees so I can be prepared. I was worried he had a tick on him and that he was dying. My brain went into worst case scenario overdrive!! So now I know that if he gets like that again and his muzzle goes bright pink/red it's an allergic reaction.

Being stung is the same in humans too. The first sting might not have any effects whatsoever but the next one could flair up allergic reactions. I'm just glad I know.

And it's good that little Mimi pulled through too. It's such a horrible thing as an owner to witness.

I did get annoyed with my dad because he thinks it's amusing Zeus is allergic to bees. When I told him Zeus passed out he started laughing "oh it's funny". Umm ... No its effing not!!

[Alyosha]

You could use a child dose epipen for a little dog. Adrenaline is the same, and if it could save them it's worth having in your handbag.

[Mason_Gibbs]

I asked the vet if they've made epi-pens for dogs that I can carry around in case of more stings. He laughed and said sadly no, there's no such thing.

It's a total blessing that at least now I know Zeus is allergic to bees so I can be prepared. I was worried he had a tick on him and that he was dying. My brain went into worst case scenario overdrive!! So now I know that if he gets like that again and his muzzle goes bright pink/red it's an allergic reaction.

Being stung is the same in humans too. The first sting might not have any effects whatsoever but the next one could flair up allergic reactions. I'm just glad I know.

And it's good that little Mimi pulled through too. It's such a horrible thing as an owner to witness.

I did get annoyed with my dad because he thinks it's amusing Zeus is allergic to bees. When I told him Zeus passed out he started laughing "oh it's funny". Umm ... No its effing not!!

PM Rubystar he dog is undergoing desensitization for bee stings and I know she has some form of epi pen for Ruby