Emergency Care: Stings and Bites in the UK

dog outside

 

As we move into summer and the weather improves, we start to see more insects and creepy crawlies out and about, and like us humans, dogs and cats can also be affected by nasty bites and stings!

 

Dogs and cats can be particularly prone to insect bites if they disturb a nest or if they are trying to chase/ play with any of these stinging insects.The warmer weather also brings snakes out to bask in the sun. While serpents tend to be quite shy themselves, dogs and cats who venture into the undergrowth may stumble across a snake basking in the sun, resulting in a snake bite as the snake defends itself. Below we have given emergency first aid tips to help deal with your animal immediately after the incident, though often a trip to the vets will be required.

 

Insect stings

 

The severity of a wasp, bee or hornet sting depends on the location of the sting and the animal’s innate reaction. Insects tend to sting the part of the animal which they first come into contact with – this may be the feet if the animal trots into a nest, but often it may be the nose/ muzzle which has been investigating the insect or trying to catch it, thinking it’s a game!

Stings to the leg may cause some local swelling, which may be irritating or painful, but so long as there is no systemic reaction, the animal is likely to recover with no issues.

Insect stings tend to be more dangerous if they are on the face or in the mouth as they can cause facial swelling which may obstruct breathing. The real danger comes when an animal has an anaphylactic (severe allergic) reaction to an insect bite. At its most extreme this may result in swelling of the face and airways, causing a respiratory obstruction with potential for suffocation, and even life-threatening shock, where many organs may be affected.

 

What you may notice if your animal has been stung:

 

  • You may have seen them playing with the insect in the first place and witnessed the incident
  • You may hear a yelp when the bite occurs, or see them pawing at their face, nibbling at a foot or becoming agitated
  • You may see a red, raised area where the bite occurred
  • You may notice the animal come up in hives (small raised lesions all over the body)
  • They may start excessively drooling, or even vomiting*
  • You may notice facial swelling *
  • You may notice a change in their breathing*

*Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible if these signs are seen

 

What to do if you think your pet may have been stung

 

  • If there is a change in their breathing or swelling to their face get them to the vets immediately. (If possible call your vet to let them know to expect you.)
  • If you can see the stinger left by a bee at the bite site then remove this – so it does not continue to secrete venom
  • Gently cool pack the area of the sting to reduce the inflammation.
  • If your pet seems fine in themselves, with no facial swelling or alteration to their breathing, you may be able to contact your vet for an appropriate dose of anti-histamine to reduce the reaction. However, allergic reactions can occasionally be delayed so it is important to monitor them closely for the remainder of the day
  • Reduce the ability for your pet to scratch the bite – e.g. use a cone for a day or so to prevent them from rubbing their muzzle and exacerbating the inflammation
  • Ensure they have plenty of access to water

 

Tips to avoid insect stings

  • Clear away any known  nests
  • Discourage playing with insects – distract them with other games

 

cat outside

 

Snake bites

 

Please note this article refers to common species seen in the UK only and does not stretch to more venomous insects and snakes seen abroad.

There are only two types of snake native to the UK: grass snakes and adders. Both are shy and only likely to bite in self-defence if they are disturbed. Warmer weather brings them out to bask in the sun, so it is not unusual for an adventurous dog (or cat) to inadvertently stumble across one (or into one!) while out in the forest.

While grass snakes can grow fairly big, they are not venomous, so a bite will not cause an allergic reaction, but could cause a nasty wound which may require veterinary attention. Adders, however, are venomous, and a bite may result in a serious anaphylactic reaction. As with insects, snakes tend to bite the part of the animal’s body which has disturbed them – so a bite to a foot or the nose is most common.

Again the severity of the bite can vary with the location of the bite, the depth of the bite and the animal’s response. Smaller animals may be worse affected.

If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake it is best to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

 

What you may notice if your animal has been bitten by a snake:

 

  • You may hear them yelp following the bite
  • You may see the 2 puncture marks of the teeth and localised swelling and redness around the bite
  • Your pet may be lame, or reluctant for you to touch the affected leg
  • Bruising may develop around the bite
  • A systemic response may occur which may result in abnormal breathing, an abnormal heart rate and/ or rhythm, pale gums, disorientation, a wobbly gait, drooling, vomiting and even collapse.

 

What to do if you think your animal has been bitten by a snake:

 

  • Keep calm. This is important so that you can travel safely to the vets while also trying to keep your animal calm. Most animals treated promptly will recover following an adder bite.
  • If possible, carry your animal back to the car, to avoid their movement encouraging the spread of the venom.
  • Bathe the bite site with cool water.
  • Try and keep your animal calm and minimise their movement on the way to the vets.
  • Ring your vets to let them know that you are on the way and provide an expected ETA.

 

Tips to avoid snake bites

 

  • Know your local area and whether snakes are resident there.
  • The summer months provide the highest risk for snake bites in the UK, so certain areas may be best avoided during these times.
  • Avoid walking in the peak of the heat in summer, when snakes are most likely to be basking out.
  • Avoid certain walks in summer if you know snakes are a particular problem in that area.

 

Following a discussion with your vet, you could consider keeping a dose of anti-histamine on your person in summer so that you can administer it immediately after a bite to try and reduce the chance of an allergic reaction. This must be discussed with your vet first to ensure that this would even be appropriate for your pet and that a suitable choice and dose of anti-histamine are selected.

 

For more information on emergency care take a look at our recent article on cuts and injuries!