Dog Community

Red wasp sting

Posted : 7/19/2010 5:32:35 PM

Well, the tally is Min Pin puppies zero and Red wasp three

Yep, all 3 got stung today. Allie must have got him first, then Sage, then Poppie. Both Allie and Sage got stung on the right front foot, not sure where as the entire foot is swollen on both. Poppie got stung on the muzzle. *sigh* Dosed 'em with benadryl, but Poppie was acting like she was having trouble breathing with her coughing/gacking and her gums were white so the whole crew went to the vet. She was better by the time we got there, but I don't play around with bee/wasp stings when they are on the face. So we've got shots for the next time they get stung cause you know they will - they're 6 month old Min Pin pups! 2 strikes against em already. LOL

Allie and Sage's poor feet are swollen and painful. Anyone got any tips on how to ease the swelling/pain? I hate to see my babies hurting.

And to top it all off, Allie has a 4 day show coming up in Houston on Thursday. I so hope she isn't limping still cause that will keep her out of the ring. We've got majors in girls all 4 days and if she misses we'll probably break the major cause we are right on the cusp and I already know of 1 dog that isn't coming. Sucks all the way around!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/19/2010 6:35:13 PM

Epsom salt! Seriously, when Bean's feet get bitten, or get stuff stuck between the toes, or blackheads between the toes, I stand her in epsom salt, for 20 minutes, 3 times a day. Sucks all the soreness and swelling right out. Just don't let them lick it, unless you want projectile poo.

One foot is easy. Do it in a cup. Nice warm water, salt, foot.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/19/2010 10:31:24 PM

Yes epsom salts to soak in. DEFINITELY. You can make a poultice of baking soda and water, plop it on the spot and vet wrap a piece of paper towel to hold it on -- just for an hour or two will help suck out some poison. Also -- go to the health store and get homeopathic Ledum (blue Boiron tube) AND Apis. Ledum is for any "needle stick" type thing like vaccines OR stings, and Apis is specifically great for allergies and bee stings in particular (apis is made from bee venom). Both are homeopathics -- Just a couple of beads crushed in a folded 3X5 card -- on the tongue 2-3 times a day will help return the body to normal. Aloe also used topically will help reduce that surface inflammation.

stardancnminpin

Posted : 7/19/2010 10:58:55 PM

Thanks! We've got the epsom salt and will be soaking their feet. I'll have to hunt the other stuff down. Thanks Callie! Poor babies. I turn my back for a few minutes and they all get into trouble. LOL

janet_rose

Posted : 7/20/2010 6:57:01 PM

stardancnminpin
Poor babies. I turn my back for a few minutes and they all get into trouble.

Another thing to watch out for is mushrooms in your yard when the weather is wet enough. Those can be even worse than stings - especially for pups. The darn things can pop up overnight.

Do you keep stuff handy to make them barf if necessary?

stardancnminpin

Posted : 7/20/2010 9:14:06 PM

I walk the yard every morning (and multiple times during the day) and so far so good on the mushrooms. The soil really isn't conducive for them here, but I don't take chances. I've got hydrogen peroxide and Ipecac syrup on hand though.

I try not to smother them, but I rarely leave them outside alone due to their size and the hawk that lives behind the house, plus all the normal creepy crawly bugs that Min Pins are just naturally drawn to that don't like being bitten. LOL I was aware of the wasp nest but until yesterday they haven't been a problem. I can't kill the nest due to the location unfortunately - it's unreachable. The rain and slightly cooler temps had them down in the grass and my trip to the bathroom allowed them to get into trouble. I also caught Poppie rolling her face in an ant bed the other day and Allie digging in another one a few days before. I've killed both beds with vinegar, at least I thought so but Poppies face bears testament otherwise. The darn things are just so hard to kill without resorting to pesticides.

They keep me on my toes that is for sure!

sl2crmeg

Posted : 7/20/2010 9:21:12 PM

Try boiling, boiling, super boiling water for the ants :)

stardancnminpin

Posted : 7/20/2010 9:27:41 PM

Thanks, I'll add that to the arsenal. There aren't very many ants left in the nest, but fire ants are notorious for not dieing!

janet_rose

Posted : 7/21/2010 7:50:53 PM

stardancnminpin
I was aware of the wasp nest but until yesterday they haven't been a problem. I can't kill the nest due to the location unfortunately - it's unreachable.

Any way to direct smoke at the nest? That might discourage them.

stardancnminpin

Posted : 7/21/2010 8:42:51 PM

janet_rose
stardancnminpin
I was aware of the wasp nest but until yesterday they haven't been a problem. I can't kill the nest due to the location unfortunately - it's unreachable.

Any way to direct smoke at the nest? That might discourage them.

I wish. Where we are renting, the landlord used metal siding that he bolted together and to the trailer. They are behind the skirting, but I'm not sure where. I can't take the siding off, so I'm stuck. There isn't anyway to spray them cause I can't see the nest. I kill ever single one of them I can, but there is only so much I can do.

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/21/2010 10:51:15 PM

You might want to TELL him because a nest like that will damage whatever it's next to.

janet_rose

Posted : 7/22/2010 5:18:41 PM

stardancnminpin
There isn't anyway to spray them cause I can't see the nest.

Here are some sites on making traps. Traps in early spring will kill queens and that will eliminate their potential offspring.

http://pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/wasp_and_hornet_control.htm

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-hornets.htm

http://pestcontrolcanada.com/INSECTS/bees_and_wasps.htm
"Many people make the mistake of placing wasp traps in areas of human activity. This of course attracts more wasps. Place the traps in a wide circle 40 or 50 feet away from the area you want to be wasp free."

stardancnminpin

Posted : 7/22/2010 10:34:01 PM

Callie, if I thought he would care, I'd tell him. We still have broken water pipes from all the cold this winter that he never did come fix. We weren't using that bathroom anyway because the toilet kept leaking regardless of all the fixes, but it is silly that it is still unusable. On one hand the cold made it hard to fix, on the other the heat makes it very hard on an older man, but there was some time in there he could have come. He has so many irons in the fire that it has to be burning before he pays it any attention. We hadn't planned on being here this long, but looking for a house to buy just hasn't happened. Nothing has come on the market that fits our needs.

Thanks for the links on those Janet. I'll keep them in mind if we are here much longer. :) I'm allergic to red wasp so I'm always careful for me and the girls. Life just happens. They are doing better though. I'm sure they'd go stick their paws/noses in one again if given the chance!