Dog stung by a bee or wasp in the mouth or throat
Throat or mouth stings can cause airway swelling within minutes — phone the vet now and head to the practice; do not wait.
In the next 60 seconds
- Phone the vet immediately.
- Drive to the practice without delay.
- Cool compress to outside of muzzle if possible.
Recognise the signs
- Sudden yelp, drooling, pawing at mouth
- Swelling of muzzle, tongue, throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Noisy breathing, wheezing
- Collapse
First aid steps
- Phone the vet immediately.
- Drive to the practice without delay.
- Cool compress to outside of muzzle if possible.
Do NOT
- Do not give human antihistamines without vet advice.
- Do not delay to look in the mouth — get going.
While transporting to the vet
- Cool car.
- Phone ahead — adrenaline and oxygen will be prepared.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any throat or mouth sting
- Difficulty breathing, collapse
Common causes
- Snapping at flying insects, especially around picnics, BBQs, sweet drinks
What the vet will need to know
- Time of sting
- Location of swelling
- Breathing changes
- Dog's weight
Aftercare
- Adrenaline, steroids, antihistamines, oxygen.
- Hospitalisation for monitoring 12–24 hours.
- Future emergency plan if reactor.
Prevention
- Discourage snapping at flying insects.
- Cover food and drinks at picnics.
- Care around bin areas.
Breed-specific notes
- Brachycephalic breeds at higher risk of airway compromise.
Frequently asked questions
Is this worse than a leg sting?
Yes — throat swelling can occlude the airway within minutes. Always emergency.
Can I prevent it?
Train recall away from flying insects, cover sugary drinks, avoid bin areas.
Will my dog need an EpiPen?
Adrenaline auto-injectors are uncommon in vet medicine. Severe reactors may have a written emergency plan.