Dog fire ant bites
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Learn more about these painful critters
So I was walking my dog Kaiser one day, when a friend of mine stopped with his car. We chit chatted for a few minutes when Kaiser suddenly started rolling on the ground. It looked a bit awkward for him to do that so I pulled him up and told him to behave. Minutes later, he was again on the ground this time jerking frantically as if something serious was going on.
As I looked at him this time I saw the source of his agitation, there were several fire ants right on the spot. My poor dog was being bitten all over by them! I moved him away and headed home to check him out.
It looked like the most of the bites were on his legs, as the ants were trying to climb. I decided to keep a careful eye on him as I checked if I had some Benadryl on hand in case he was going to suffer an allergic reaction.
Shortly thereafter, when I came back he started licking at the bitten areas. A little lick here and there shortly turned out being an obsessive licking and biting that was not going to end soon.
I therefore applied what I knew was a good remedy for pets bitten by bees, wasps and all those nasty stinging creatures. I made a paste of baking soda and water and applied it to the wound. I also applied an ice pack covered in a towel every few minutes.
The baking soda/water paste aplied to the wound worked pretty quickly. I think the fact that the baking soda was in my freezer (to keep odors away) helped further give relief. Minutes later he was resting peacefully and he ignored the bites for the rest of the day. I am happy there was no need to give the Benadryl as I am not too fond of giving medications to dogs.
However, in severe cases a dosage of 1-2 mg of Benadryl per pound is a good remedy for dogs suffering from insect bites. As with administrating any medication over the counter it is highly advisable to discuss this option with your veterinarian first.
Days later Kaiser's legs were full of whitish gray marks where he was bitten. These marks really took a long time to diminish.
Kaiser only suffered from a mild reaction but there have been reported cases of dogs dying for anaphylactic shock. Usually this occurs within minutes after being stung. Warning signs are difficulty breathing, collapse and respiratory failure.
Here are a few tips:
-Never hose down a dog with fire ants. The ants will only panick and bite down harder.
-Keep an eye on the bite. If the area swells up this may indicate a possible infection that requires treatment.
-Try to limit your dog biting at the area. Fire ant bites seem to be painful at first and terribly itchy after ward, try to put ice packs and baking soda and water paste to give relief.
-Always keep on hand Benadryl especially for signs of allergic reactions.
- Use common sense and call your vet promptly if something does not look right.
-Contact an exterminator should you see fire ants in your yard.
Kaiser as of today still has marks on his legs, three months later. I wonder how long it will take for them to disappear completely. In the meanwhile, I make sure my dogs stay away from these nasty creatures.
- Dog over the counter medications
Benadryl dosage
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Sorry if it was not clear, I will edit this article tonight, the paste of baking soda and water will go on the wound. Best wishes!
wut if her face swells cuz they bit her face??
Sounds like an allergic reaction! According to:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/facial-swelling-in-do
'Facial swelling associated with allergic reaction is often associated with insect stings and usually occurs during warm weather. The swelling is often throughout the entire head and is non-painful.''
'' For allergic reactions, diphenhydramine and/or corticosteroids are used.''
''There is little home care for facial swelling. If the cause is due to an allergic reaction, oral diphenhydramine may be used initially but is often not effective.''
Diphenydramine is plain Benadryl. It may help, but if the allergic reaction is severe she may need emergency treatment with epinephrine.
According to:http://www.petplace.com/dogs/what-you-should-do-if
The dose most veterinarians use of Benadryl is 1 mg per pound. Some benadryl comes as 25 or 50 mg pills or as a 12.5 mg/ml liquid. So a 25-pound dog would get 25 mg. For more information about dealing with allergic reactions – go to Allergic Reaction from an Unknown Cause in Dogs.
This is a common emergency. Most reactions are very mild.
Keep the number to your veterinarian or local emergency clinic handy. If you see signs of a reaction – call your vet immediately. Keep benadryl in your dogs "Medicine cabinet".
Hope these links help, hope all goes well.
Our Boykin Spaniel sat near a fire ant mound and was bitten all over his stomach,legs, privates and even on his face near his eyes. Within seconds he started vomiting and having issues breathing. He laid down and his gums and tongue turned white, pupils dialated and he became unresponsive. We carry a first aid kit for the dogs and thank god we had benadryl. We managed to get the benadryl in him and after about 20 minutes his breathing and gums started to return to normal. He fully recovered but the experience was tramatic for us to see our beloved dog close to death. I truly believe if it had not been for the benadryl he would have died. We put cortizone cream on the bites and it helped reduce the swelling also. It worries me to think that something like this could happen so fast and without warning. Watch your animals closely. We are going to ask our vet about getting an epi pen since he had such a bad reaction to the ant bites.
Fire ants are very bad to deal with, I lived in Newnan Ga for 18 years so I know what im talking about. Now I live in Alberta Canada and I dont miss them at all :)
Great hub...
My Jack Russel Terrier has been bitten all over her stomach and legs... I'm about to try the baking soda paste and i hope it works :)
We have a 3 pound yorkie that was bit by a fire ant while we were travelling (stopped at a gas station for a fill up). Within 3 minutes, he was limp, unresponsive, had a cold, white tongue and gums, was lock jaw and lifeless. His little body had already began the process of "expression" (vomiting, etc.) which the vet says happens right before dying. By the grace of God (or whoever you believe is watching over you) there was a lady in the gas station that told us there was an emergency vet at the next interstate exit. Within 10 minutes we had him there and they saved his life. A half hour or so later, we got to see him... wagging tale, running and barking like nothing happend! So while we were completely tramatized, he fortunately made a full recovery. We DO NOT EVER travel without Benedryl and knowledge of where the closest emergency vet is! We asked about getting an EPI Pen but they do not make one small enough for his weight. So, he gets to hold his bladder on road trips now! LOL I wanted to share this story so that everyone is aware of how quickly one bite can affect an animal. BTW... only 1 bite mark was found on his body and it was right between his chest and throat.
Nola,Thank you for sharing this happy ending story, one extra reason to keep an eye on our pets and encounters with dangerous critters!
my dog's wound have a lot of ants,i dont know why the red ants are in the wound...is my dog has a diabitis.....he didnt even bother if the ants is in his wound....what can i do...tnx
I find it difficult to be fire ants as they sting terrible and would cause your dog to move and try to get them off. Try to get them off and keep your dog indoors until the wound heals. I am not sure why the ants are interested in this wound so much.
I'm glad to know benadryl can be given to dogs. I, myself, am highly allergic to fire ants and carry an EPI pen because of it. Thanks for the informative hub.
i would like to purchace a dog first aid kit where can i get one complete x
Hello, answered you on the signs your dog is pregnant hub about this.
Great hub,as are all i have read you have posted..
I am of course a dog person..lol
I found it useful and a good read..
jorja
Useful hub and awesome!
my puppy is 3 months old, he got bit by fire ants all over and his eyes swelled badly, his belly was all bit up.
i had 25mg benadryl, I broke it in 4 pies and gave him one small piece, he was alot better after, the swelling went down within the hour.
Very very good info here! I do a lot of camping with my dog Zoe and I need to know this info. Especially that Benedryl can be given to dogs and how much! Thanks for the article!
I HAVE A SMALL DOG WITH LOTS OF RED BUMPS ON HER BACK LEGS NECK I SHAVED ALL HER HAIR OFF AND NOW YOU CAN SEE HOW BAD IT IS WHAT COULD THIS BE?PLEASE HELP US.
Could be fire ants but also fleas, allergic reactions to food or products used in the yard. It is hard to tell, are they itchy?
Thanks, I never even thought of fire ants... I assumed my dog was stung, or bitten by a spider. Fire ants make sense as she is continually chewing (itching) several spots... one of which I shaved. The area is inflamed and red/ bumpy. She was close to unconscious within a half hour, and came to after a ten ml dose of antihistamine. I'll try baking soda and steriod cream.
I have a small dog she got bit on foot she won't walk on it what how much benadrly should I give her she about 5 lbs if that... She got into fire auts we beach so yeah no need to say more
Camille 3 years ago
my dog has, what i believe to be a red ant bite, its just in his paw and there is only one mark, its swollen and red, he keeps biting it and licking it like if there is no tomorrow, i tried the ice thing and it didnt seem to work and i dont understang what my dog is supposed to with the baking soda, is he supposed to eat it, wear it. or what?