Painful but Harmless Insect Bites
While
the great outdoors can mean great fun for your pet,
there's always the chance that he may come into
contact with unsavory critters - namely, bees, hornets,
wasps and other insects. Luckily the bites of these
bugs are seldom dangerous, but they may cause pain
and swelling. Voted most likely to get bitten are
curious kittens and puppies engaged in play-hunting.
Proven Remedies for Bee Stings
If
your pet has been stung by a bee, you'll need to
remove the stinger. The site of the bite will probably
be red and swollen, and if you look closely you'll
find the splinter-like stinger. You can remove it
with a pair of tweezers; a magnifying glass may
make the job easier. Bathe the area with a weak
solution of baking soda and water, and apply an
ice pack to reduce the swelling and dull the pain.
Apply the cold compress frequently for at least
five minutes at a time. You can also use a dab of
milk of magnesia or a thin layer of aloe vera to
calm the irritated skin; these methods work for
wasp and hornet stings too.
Other Insect Stings & Bites
Although
poisonous spiders have a hard time biting through
the coat of dogs with thick fur, dogs with short
hair and outdoor cats who live in tropical and desert
climates are susceptible to spider and scorpion
bites. The venom injected via these bites can be
very dangerous to your pet and requires immediate
veterinary attention. Describe as best as possible
the type of creature that bit your animal; correct
identification will help your veterinarian diagnose
and successfully treat the bite.
Allergic Reactions to Insect Bites
Some
pets may have serious allergic reactions to insect
bites. And because most dogs and cats get bitten
around their faces and mouth, any pronounced swelling
can interfere with an animal's ability to breathe.
If your pet seems unsteady and disoriented, has
trouble breathing, or if the affected area swells
up just minutes after he is bitten, don't waste
any time - get to the veterinarian immediately.
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