My dog got stung. Do I need a vet if I already cleaned the wound?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do think that she should see a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. She may be having an allergic reaction to the sting. Also, this appears to be causing her pain which may be why she is not eating. It is hard to know without an examination but this is certainly concerning. They would be able to examine her and determine what would be best to treat her with. Good luck and have a good night!

Poor Bubby! My own dog has gotten stung before, so I know how scary that is and how much they seem to hurt. If Bubby develops swelling on his face or neck, vomits or seems to have trouble breathing, it is a medical emergency and he needs to be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Often the area will just be painful and will resolve on its own. You can try putting a cold compress on the area once Bubby calms down a little if he will let you (but do not push it if he still does not want you to touch the area). I've attached a handout below about bee stings. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=383 Please let me know if that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

I am sorry to hear Madison is not feeling well. Insect stings can cause anaphylaxis just like in people. It is a good sign the facial swelling is going down and you can administer an over the counter antihistamine. However, if the vomiting does not stop I would recommend taking her to a vet for medications to stop the vomiting. I would be concerned that she might become dehydrated. Also, you can feed a bland diet to help her rest her stomach.

It doesn't appear deep. If there is no active bleeding, clean it up with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. I see you have a triple antibiotic ointment. You can dab a bit on the area. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing. Monitor for lethargy, fever, bleeding, swelling, discharge or loss of appetite. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kyle. You are giving Benadryl plus Congestion. Unless specifically directed to do so by his veterinarian, I would stop this medication. He should be receiving just Benadryl which contains only diphenhydramine. Some dogs will require ongoing doses of steroids to keep the swelling down in the days following the reaction. His veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic for the wounds that have started as well. I recommend contacting his veterinarian and see if a recheck appointment is necessary to discuss his medication. I hope this information helps!

You can cool the area where the sting is with some ice wrapped in a cloth. This will take the pain and reduce the swelling. By tomorrow the area should look normal again. If your puppy starts to vomit, gets breathing problems or appears ill, you will need to take it to a pet ER for treatment.

If the symptoms don't seem to bad and if he isn't lethargic or having problems breathing just wait 2-3 hours, it should start getting better by then. in any case of respiratory problems or lethargy you must take him to the vet urgently.