What's worse, fleas use their large back legs to jump around, sometimes to distances of a foot or more. These pesky little parasites feed on your canine friend's blood, make Fido itch like crazy, and potentially lead to more serious health troubles if the issue isn't dealt with. In the end, your best option is to keep an eye on your dogs when they are outside, steer them away from locations that are obviously infested with ants, and act quickly if you notice a problem.Fleas: the dreaded pests that no pet owner wants to see on their dog. There are also other pet-specific insect repellents on the market, but they don’t guarantee that your dog won’t be bitten or stung. The oil form of citronella, lemongrass, and cinnamon can all be applied as an insect repellent, but first talk to your veterinarian to see if these are a good fit for your dog. While commercial human insect repellents aren’t recommended for dogs, there are some natural substances that can be used if your dog is going to be spending a lot of time outside. Others may require prescription medications to address potential infection from the stings and inflammation. Dogs suffering from serious anaphylactic reactions may be admitted to the hospital for supportive care. Should your dog’s symptoms become worrisome, contact your veterinarian for additional advice and treatment. Just like in people, some dogs are more sensitive and can have a greater response to ant bites and stings. vomiting, collapse, weakness, respiratory distress, or pale gums), immediately take your dog to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital. If you are seeing any signs of an anaphylactic reaction (i.e. Talk to your veterinarian to determine if using the drug Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is appropriate for your pet and about specific dosing information. If your dog has been attacked by fire ants, move your dog to a safe area, use a pair of gloves to protect yourself, and then brush or pick any remaining fire ants off your dog.Īfter you're removed the ants, monitor your dog’s overall well-being and call your veterinarian. However, remember that fire ants are much more aggressive. It is important to check for more ants on your dog after an ant bite attack, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as between the toes, ears, eyes. These types of injuries are potentially deadly for pets. Large numbers of fire ants can attack as a group, using coordinated stings for more impact. Anaphylactic reactions are common with fire ant bites, even with relatively few actual insects. Fire ants are venomous insects that both bite and sting, causing intense pain and swelling. Of particular concern, however, are fire ants, a nasty and invasive species originally found in the South and Southwest but have migrated to other areas of the country. In anaphylactic reactions, a dog might suffer from (bullets) vomiting, weakness, respiratory distress, pale gums, and collapse.Īnt bites on the legs or on the body may appear as red and raised sores, sometimes with white pus-like material, but you might be unable to see them through thick fur. Symptoms of ant bites and stings might include (bullet points) lameness, hives, chewing or licking at the affected area, swelling, vocalizing/whining, and the inability to settle. Not every ant bite or sting is cause for a trip to the vet, but it may be required, depending upon how your dog reacts to the venom. Injuries to the nose and face can be particularly problematic, as swelling here can lead to closing of the airways, difficulty breathing, and eventually more serious problems. While dogs are vulnerable to ant bites and stings anywhere on the body, the fact that they’re on their feet and lead with their noses makes those two areas prime targets. Luckily, owners and veterinarians have many options when it comes to treating ant bites and stings. Allergic reactions have a range of reactions, including pain, swelling, and more serious breathing and anaphylactic complications.ĭepending on the species, ants are capable of stinging or biting (or both), and the results can range from annoying to potentially life-threatening. While parasites like fleas and ticks are well-known hazards, there are plenty of other bugs that can bite and sting our pets.īees, wasps, biting flies, ants, spiders, and scorpions all pose serious risks for our pets.
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