The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Multi-Approach + Give it Time
Posted by SKM (Madison, WI) on 09/28/2021
★★★★★
This post may be a little different, but I wanted to share my experience. I'm sure you will find mistakes in my approach! But did want to share as an encouragement, should others find themselves in a similar situation.
Our 14 year old kitty Raul loves going outside and always seems to be getting into something. One afternoon he emerged from the garage sporting a sting on his cheek. (He is known to allow mosquitoes to bite his face, but this sting idea was something new and different.) He kind of laid low for the rest of the day while nursing his new injury. At this point it was a little swollen, but nothing really to write home about.
The next day, it remained the same. I wondered if there was a stinger I should pull out, so I felt around a little and kind of felt something, yet nothing that I knew for sure was the stinger. All seemed well and we both eventually went to bed.
The next morning, his cheek was s w o l l e n! Of course, it's so difficult as a pet 'owner' when something is off. The worst anxiety and stress ever. I immediately jumped on to Earth Clinic.
I tried mud,
I tried colloidal silver,
I tried George's Aloe Vera,
and I tried honey.
Sometimes it seemed to get bigger, more swollen, and it was when I applied the honey that it seemed to stabilize itself. I was checking him every hour if not more often, fully prepared to take him to the vet, but also unsure as to when to make that call. Getting it to stabilize was a huge relief, yet things were still stressful. I would apply the honey about every hour or 2. (At this point, I still wasn't sure what it was, since I had not seen so much swelling before, I didn't know if it was a spider bite, abscess, tumor, or what-have-you!! I now know that I probably caused the sting venom to be released when I was poking around a little.)
At any rate, my husband suggested we eventually just leave him be, and wallah! In the morning, the swelling had decreased greatly.
So I just wanted to say, that, if it weren't for us humans, the pets would get stung and heal naturally as well. So don't freak (as is so easy to do, and as I did), and let your cures + time do its thing. Do closely monitor, though, and if you don't like taking slight chances, then this post is not for you.
Thanks for listening, feel free to chime in!
Stacy in Madison, WI
Benadryl
Posted by Elizabeth (Bakersfield, California) on 10/18/2009
★★★★★
bee sting remedies for dogs
Last night my 2 yr old mixed breed (wire haired doxie and traveling salesman) stepped on a bee and I wasn't quite sure what to do. I did think about anaphylatic shock so watched for that. I googled the problem and got your web site and benadryl was suggested. I had some benadryl tabs so crushed one ( 1/2 of a 25 mg) up and mixed it with peanut butter - WA-LA it worked he slept like a log! This AM I gave him another 1/2 as his little paw was kind of swelled and he was licking and nibbling at it. I did get the stinger out last night. Thank you!
Baking Soda, Benadryl
Posted by Lou (Bound Brook, Nj) on 08/11/2009
★★★★★
I was baby sitting my daughters 1 year old Brittney Spaniel, he got stung by a bee above the eye.Your info was very helpful. I gave him half a Benadryl he weights about 25 lbs. It seemed to calm him and the golf ball size swelling around his eye went down in a couple of hours. He didn't like the baking soda paste to much but it also seemed to help.Thanks again, my daughter will be home from work any minute and all is well.
Benadryl
Posted by Lori (Scottsburg, Indiana) on 08/05/2009
★★★★★
My Basset Hound Jethroe was either stung or got into some fire ants he is very nosy when outside gave him Benadryl and it really worked
Benadryl
Posted by Sarah (Racine, Wi) on 06/04/2009
My 4 yr old black lab "Bela" was playing in the backyard when i noticed her mouth looked extra big (she always has a ball in it) and that her eyes looked a little swollen. At first it didn't seem to bother her but when she dropped the ball and shook her head i figured action was needed. In the past I've had to give my big old dog benedryl for her allergies and actually still had some. The peanut butter worked like a charm!! Thanks for the site
Benadryl
Posted by Chris (Mt. Albert, Ontario, Canada) on 06/01/2009
★★★★★
Dog bee/wasp sting on Springer Spaniel's eye: I Notice my dog Heidi, had a red swollen eye~upper lid, I immediately gave her 25mg Benadryl caplet, got a towel with cool water, wiped eye down sideways to ensure no stinger left behind, applied towel with ice cubes to calm down dog from scratching and panicking gave her some ice cubes to eat as to cool her throat from swelling, within 25 minutes she was calm, eye of course still swollen, but sleeping without her eye throbing anf bothering her, this is the second time its happened the first time she was a puppy, I rushed her to the emergency vets (of course after hours - regular vet was already closed and the cost was over 200.00 dollars, it was quite a shock, they said they gave her a needle to immediately effect the sting reaction to her face from swelling even more - she looked like some sort of alien dog...it was just awful (something out of the movies, the vets also at the time suggested I go out and buy - benadryl and give to the pup 1 caplet of benadryl 25 mg for the next 5 days (they wil get diareahia of course) but that is normal. Great news for anyone that wants to save the cost of around $200.00 Canadian dollars - This time, I knew what to do and believed that the benadryl is fast and good enough to calm down and get fast results - keep it handy at all times when you have pets! I am so relieved that I knew what to do this time. Thank you! Saved the dog and money that needs to go for other bills...........take care and good luck!
Benadryl
Posted by Rebecca (Texas) on 03/31/2017
Benedryl for dogs ex. Bee sting etc
I feel that most should avoid artificially sweetened versions. They can be very dangerous in some sensitive dogs. There are many articles on the subject of avoiding AS for dogs on the web. Symptoms of this are similar to reactions listed by some nay sayers of Benedryl treatment for stings. Dogs are all uniquely wired. Not all will react negative ; if it ain't broke... Hesitation invoked by any comment could make a huge difference in saving a life. Always contact veterinary care either prior to, or if familar w/ post, administration.
Baking Soda, Benadryl
Posted by Roxy (Santa Maria, Ca) on 01/17/2010
★★★★★
Thank you for the comments re: treatment at home for bee sting.When I saw our boxers face swollen I immediately called his vet but unfortunately they were just getting done for the day and said for me to take him to the er. I didnt think it was a life threatining situation as I am a nurse and Lu my boxer was breathing normal. When I mentioned to the staff what his status was"swollen right side of the face and some bites or stings on his right side thigh" they suggested it could possibly be that he was stung by a bee...multiple stings by the way. Im glad I researched a home remedy and gave it a shot I used the baking soda with water made it thick enough where it was more like paste. I also smashed the 25mg Benadryl (2) and placed it in his food...worked wonderfully within 20 minutes. Thanks for the website and your tips ..hopes it works for others.
Baking Soda, Benadryl
Posted by Larry (Elkin, Nc. Usa) on 09/19/2012
My Pit got Stung in his left foot 2 times and I was starting to Panic from the way he was acting and I looked up home remedies on Earth Clinic and I gace him Liquid Benadryl and within 30 mins he was doing better. Thanks to everyone that post on here. My Duke is very Special to me and I would be lost without him. God Bless you all.
Baking Soda, Benadryl
Posted by Carlene (Woodstock, On. Canada) on 08/08/2017
How much liquid Benadryl? Mine is 10 pounds.
Baking Soda, Benadryl
Posted by Elaine (Prince Albert, South Africa) on 01/05/2011
The breed is a Brittany Spaniel.
Baking Soda
Posted by Health Nut (Los Angeles, Ca) on 07/16/2009
My little Yorkie got stung on one of his front paws a couple of months ago and he was hurting and unable to walk on it. I quickly got online in search of a home remedy, being that the vet's office was closed at the time. Anyway, someone suggested making a baking soda paste and to rub it on the infected/swollen area. I made the paste using 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. water (my dog is only 4lbs. so I didn't need so much). As long as you use equal parts 50/50 you should be fine. Well let me say that it worked! Within a couple of hours the swelling was not only down but gone and my little guy was able to happily trot around again.
Benadryl
Posted by Sierra (Ofallon , Il, Usa) on 04/10/2011
Hello, (I HAVE A PUPPY DOING THE SAME THING I LIVE A TOWN AWAY)
I seen you are from Collinsville IL I live in Ofallon IL. I have a 6 month old blue pit Lex, there stories are just alike she got stung by something outdoors playing in the yard. This happened a week and a half ago and as of Sunday night she got deathly ill. I took her to the vet BAC right away after her coming indoors and I noticed her face was swollen like a baloon. I never seen anything like it so I panicked, they gave her the same shot as your dog recieved. The swelling went away her breathing was irregular and she seemed restless at first, I then kept up a benadryl regimen for a few days she seemed to be okay but on Sunday evening she started having a sneezing fit at about midnight.
The next day I thought she was just tired, so I had someone watch over her while I had to run errans. By thew time I returned home at noon she could walk and looked disoriented. My first thoughts was she either got parvo or kennel cough from her vet visit, but after having her on antibiotics for 5 days, I disagree with both the above she has never had diarhea or vomitting, I am positive it wasnt parvo I have dealt with it before.
I am so clueless as to what to think or do. Today she is just still tired and really weak she eats and drinks now but me and my bf have tried everything to get her to walk. Things such as therapy and she has no interest in trying, she whines all night, if I try to move her she yelps, she had the hives as well. May I ask what ended up happening to your puppy, there stories are identical and with us living so close together I just find this really weird. Any response would help me to get closer to her recovery or diagnosis, I dont have the money for the vet to run all the test they want to. Thank you so much I would really appreciate anything you would like to share.
Benadryl
Posted by Jeanie (Chesterfield, MI, USA) on 04/15/2009
★★★★★
I tried the Benedryl on my 6month old 3 lb Yorkie... so far she is doing well, I was so worried because she is soooo tiny!! I called the vet, and she said use Benedryl, but because of her age and size they said use liquid childrens Benedryl at only one half ml per pound. It seems to be working for her!!! Thanks!!
Apis Mellifica
Posted by Tamara (Tucson, AZ) on 02/23/2009
★★★★★
My pit bull was snapping at bees yesterday, little did I know she had eaten 9 of them. Her face swelled up, and she vomited. Unfortunately, she is allergic to benedryl. I keep prednisone on hand for her because of the allergy, and also gave her a high dose of apis mellifica homeopathic remedy .
I probably could have just used the apis, but panicked!! Don't discount apis mellifica even for bee sting allergies. I have a friend who is allergic to bee stings who decided to try it for a bee sting (keeping her epi pen at the ready) and the apis mellifica homeopathic remedy worked! No side effects! ( I read that epinephren side effects can be made worse if on maoi's) I will always have apis mellifica in the house, and I hope that the prednisone tip is useful to anyone who has pets or people allergic to benedryl.
Anyhoo, we circled the emergency vet block in the car for an hour until I was sure the swelling was down, then we went home. Everyone fine.
Benadryl
Posted by Desiree (Portland, OR) on 01/10/2009
★★★★★
Benedryl has been shown to cause premature dementia (not that dementia is a normal part of aging). I wouldn't say it is not harmless. I don't recommend anyone take it on a regular basis. I read this in a report about 10 years ago. I can't believe this information is still not mainstream and so many people are still using it.
Benadryl
Posted by Kay Amante (Montague, Michigan) on 09/11/2008
★★★★★
My husband took Jack our 2yr old Great Dane into our woods. Jack found a yellow jacket nest and was stung about 80 times in the face, neck, & back. He had really bad swelling all over. His head and mouth were the worse. He couldn't breath properly, and he was in a lot of pain. So I looked up dog bee stings on the internet and I was sent to this site. I gave Jack benadryl the dose someone on Earth clinic had recommended. It really took the swelling down on his head and made it so he could breath right again. Now Jack is sleeping like a baby and not crying anymore. Thank you for your help!
Baking Soda
Posted by Alec (Paso Robles, Ca) on 03/06/2011
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Wanted to let everyone know that the baking soda might work well, however you must make sure that your dog can't lick it off. Our 6 month old puppy pulled the sock covering his paw off and licked all the baking soda mixture off. He vomited 4 times due to the mixture. Benedryl worked well at 1mg per pound. Be careful with the baking soda.
Benadryl
Posted by Eobie01 (Collinsville, Illinois) on 05/22/2009
I took my 4 year old boxer to the emergency vet clinic, she had hives on her legs and back, she was panting a lot, her tummy was a little red, and when she walked her feet kept coming out from under her and she would just stretch it out. We told the vet all of these problems and she said that it was most likely caused by a bit or sting of some sort. Now Bailey our boxer has been stung before and was given a steroid shot and some benadryl and had no side effects. This time it is different (just to let you know they gave her 2ml of benadryl and 4 cc Dex S/P). We took her to the vet at around 9pm and we left there at 9:30pm. When we got home we let her outside and she seemed fine, then we went to bed. I was up watching tv and she just started to pant and breathe kind of funny, then she started to whine. I just laid there with her for a little bit to see if it would go away and after about 30 min I called the vet to let them know what she was doing. They said that this was a side effect of benadryl. At the time of first writing this it was 1am. Now it is 5:12am and I have been up all night with her. All night she was pacing and laying down and was trying to get comfortable but couldn't. A few times she would put her head under the bed or she would sit up and just stare. And all the while she would start to whine again. Now she is pacing from our bedroom out to the hallway and she just got sick. I am going to be calling the vet first thing in the morning. I don't like what I have seen.
Benadryl
Posted by Vic (Hong Kong, HK SAR) on 02/10/2009
★★★★☆
Thanks for the reassurance your site has given me. After my 3 yo 25kg Husky apparently got stung by a tropical bee and the advice from an emergency vet clinic was to use antihistamines, he seems to have less irritation and anxiety. Time will tell to see if the swelling goes down and he gets back his energy. 8mg of drug have chilled him out a whole lot.
