Bug Catching is a sport at my house. Spend time with my pups, and you will see. If a fly swoops by at a low altitude, it's fair game.

Last week, as I took down the metal decor from the pergola, I stirred up a family of wasps. Corralling and moving the dogs indoors from the patio proved more challenging than usual. Maze and Malibu chased the wasps, trying to gobble them up.

Finally, after several attempts- me calling out, "Treat! Treat! "Who wants a treat?”-one of the knuckleheads ran inside.

Malibu, on the other hand, danced around on the patio like Pac-Man with her mouth open.

As she swallowed the wasp, my mind calculated the cost of a trip to the emergency vet.

Here we go again, I thought.

Malibu's tongue lolled like she was proud of her actions.

"Hey, Mom. Check out what I've done. I ate that juicy guy without ketchup," she seemed to say. "Hehe- hehe!"

I was unimpressed. I held off racing to the ER vet, fed Malibu Benadryl, and watched over her for 12 hours.

I hadn't seen a wasp sting her.

In the end, Malibu turned out fine. She didn't react, and I saved myself hundreds of dollars by not running to the vet's office.

I turned the wasp incident into a learning experience and did the research.

If you have a nosy dog poking around where he doesn't belong, read on.

Warm Weather increases wasp activity.

The Queens choose a comfy home, a comfy-out-of-the-weather home to nest and reproduce. Most wasps die off in the winter, but not the Queen.

What do you do if your dog gets stung?

First Aid and Treatment, according to the VCA Animal Hospital Website:

• Id the insect

• Scrape the stinger off with a credit card if it's a bee (Tweezers are a no-no). Bee stinger injects venom long after it has been abandoned.

• Calm the stings with a baking soda and water paste and/or oatmeal bath

• Combat swelling with a compress- a frozen bag of veggies or a cool towel.

• Antihistamines by mouth (talk to your vet first)

• Stop the scratching

• Hydrate

• Feed wet food for mouth stings, or mix water with dry food.

• Watch for Signs of an allergic reaction.

  
  

Anaphylactic shock looks different in dogs than in us. While I worried about Malibu's airways closing, Anaphylactic shock affects a dog's liver, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms.

Signs you need to race your dog to the vet

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Excess salivating

• Problems breathing

• Pale or blue-colored gums

Signs might be present within minutes to hours, so keep in touch with your vet.

In severe cases, your dog may need an IV line for fluids, oxygen, epinephrine, or steroids to recover.

How do I prevent wasp stings?

Don’t disturb hives or nests like I did.

• Try natural products to deter stinging insects

• Don’t use shampoos with sweet, floral scents that attract insects

• Minimize clutter and piles of debris

• Keep dogs indoors

• Distract dogs from nests and hives

• Eliminate nests

  
  

  Where I live in Louisiana, the hot and sticky summers are an ideal climate for many insects. Chew toys and ropes for games of tug-of-war litter my patio but are no substitute for Mom's attention. The minute I turn around, two of the four are nosing something. It's crucial to prevent any potential dangers. Keeping the grass cut and the heavily planted areas of my yard off-limits to the dogs is a key part.

  Please share your ideas and tips if you have them in the comments.

  How are you keeping your furry companions safe this summer from insect stings?

  
  

  
  

To read more, check out the full-length article of Help! My dog swallowed a wasp.

References:

Hunter, Tammy DVM, et al. "Anaphylaxis in Dogs." VCA Animal Hospital, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/anaphylaxis-in-dogs. Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.

McCormic, Sarah, et al. "Polistes Carolina, Fine-Backed Red Paper Wasp and P. Rubiginosus, Coarse-Backed Red Paper Wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)." LSU AG Center, 25 Oct. 2022, www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1666725942341. Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.

Tizard, Ian R. BVMS, BSc, PhD, DSc (Hons), DACVM. "Disorders Involving Anaphylactic Reactions (Type I Reactions, Atopy) in Dogs." Merck Manual Veterinary Manual, 1 Jun. 2018, www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/immune-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-involving-anaphylactic-reactions-type-i-reactions,-atopy-in-dogs. Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.

Williams, Krista BSc, DVM, CCRP, and Lynn Buzhardt DVM. "First Aid for Insect Stings in Dogs." VCA Animal Hospital, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-insect-stings-in-dogs. Accessed 29 Jun. 2024.