Puppy got fire ant bites. How to treat and when to see a vet?

Fire ant bites are miserable! I generally recommend making an Epsom Salt soak for the feet (following the directions on the box) for about 5 minutes in order to decrease the inflammation. That does not need to rinsed off, but if they are still uncomfortable after that, then they may need more treatment, so you may need to see your veterinarian for a prescription for their feet. In the meantime, make sure they are not chewing at their feet because they may damage the skin and create more problems. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That would not hurt. But, if he is doing OK, you can try giving 1.5 tablets of the children's 12.5 MG tablet benadryl to help with histamine release. If he begins to swell, have hives, or trouble breathing, he would need to go in.

If you have a cream at home containing steroids (prednisolone, hydrocortisone) it can help reduce the symptoms of ant bites, you will need to apply it 2-3 times a day and make sure Barry does not lick it right away (best to apply it before you take him for a walk).

While Benadryl can be given to dogs in specific circumstances, by law it is illegal for the experts at PetCoach to recommend using any drug, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. I would give your vet a call to see if it's safe to give Dustin Benadryl, and the vet can give you the correct dose for it. I would also wash him in warm water and Dawn dish soap to get rid of the ants, and you can make a home soothing salve to help with the bites from the ants if he has them using baking soda and water. To make this salve, mix one tablespoon of baking soda and add enough water to form a spreadable paste. You will have to keep him from licking it off, so put an Ecollar on him, which you can make at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Hello and thank you for your post! Looking at your photos, the first picture is the one I am concerned about the most. It is always difficult to tell from the pictures 100% what is going on but Krunch's face and muzzle sure look swollen! I would seek veterinary care as so o as possible in case he is having a severe allergic reaction. Fire ants can certainly trigger an allergic reaction. I would go ahead and give him 1/4 tablet of Benadyl 25mg and get him to your vet for further treatmemt. If left untreated, allergic reactions can turn into anaphylaxis and can be fatal. I hope Krunch gets better!

Poor Ginger! If she is sleepy, that can be a sign that she was bitten by the ants. To be safe, especially given how she reacted last time, it would be best if she was seen by a vet. She may need a steroid again, which the vet can give her.

Poor Lucky! Flea bites can be very irritating to the skin. If she received an oral flea medication today at the vet's office, you can try bathing her in an aloe and oatmeal dog shampoo to help soothe the irritation and make her feel better. If her flea medication was topical (applied to the skin), then unfortunately she can't be bathed for a few days without washing off the medication. In that case, I would suggest asking your veterinarian about an over-the-counter medication like Benadryl - this can be used in dogs to hep with itching and skin irritation in some cases, but should only be given if directed by your puppy's vet.