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Vets are warning about the deadly delayed dangers of bee and wasp stings after a dog suffered severe anaphylaxis and faced a three-day battle for survival.
Maple, a two-year-old Imperial Shih Tzu, became seriously ill many hours after being stung on a walk near the family home. Owner Joanna Davies rushed her for help after her condition deteriorated and it was then identified at the Vets Now clinic in Reading.
She was given injections and other urgent treatment, but it wasn’t until several days later that it was clear she was going to survive. Vets Now, which provides emergency care at more than 60 UK clinics and hospitals, is urging owners to be aware of the anaphylaxis dangers with many bees and wasps dying off in the coming weeks.
The team at Vets Now have treated hundreds of cases related to bee and wasp stings already this year, with 317 cases* alone in the summer of 2024.
Maple’s owner Joanna, who has four dogs, thinks a sting, from a bee or wasp, or even possibly a bite from a horsefly, happened on the morning walk in a field.
“She was sick when she came back, but that’s not unusual with dogs so I didn’t think much of it,” said Joanna, who lives just outside Reading.
“But she became worse after lunch, with repeated sickness and diarrhoea and was trying to burrow into her bed to get warm. I decided to get her to the vets, and she really started to downhill fast when we were in the car and collapsed as we went in.”
Understanding Delayed Anaphylaxis in Dogs
Staff at Castle Vets were just handing over to Vets Now, who provide emergency evening and weekend care, and an ultrasound showed Maple’s gall bladder had a swollen wall.
It can be an indication of anaphylactic shock and Maple was administered adrenaline, steroids and antihistamine as her condition became critical.
“Owners are only really aware of the typical external signs of an allergic response such as hives and swollen faces,” said principal vet Anita Notenboom from Vets Now, who spotted Maple’s condition.
“They are often not aware of this serious delayed condition that could be fatal. The signs are often non-specific, but the dog can go downhill very fast.
“They usually present to us collapsed and this can occur many hours after the triggering event. So, owners often forget to mention their pet may have been stung when out on a walk earlier in the day.”
Even with the urgent treatment, Maple’s condition was so grave Joanna says it was touch and go for three days and they initially didn’t think she was going to live.
“I was in floods of tears and the whole family were absolutely devastated,” said Joanna. “Maple is only 5kg, so we were told that a sting could be more serious because of the ratio of venom.
“Thankfully we were at last able to bring her home and we were so elated. Vets Now saved her life and we are very grateful.
“We are now super cautious and on the lookout for stings. I’d definitely advise other owners to watch out for worsening diarrhoea and vomiting, coldness, their dog wanting to be left alone and their gums looking grey, not pink.”
For out of hours or emergency treatment, find your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic or Vets Now 24/7 hospital here.