Search for the stinger – Bee stingers are venomous, and they continue to ooze toxins until they’re removed from the flesh.  You can use a set of tweezers to remove the stinger but some argue that this only releases more toxins instead of helping.  If you poke the venom ask, the venom can leak causing the toxins to spread faster.  A safer option would be to use a thin piece of plastic such as a credit card.  If your pup received multiple bee stings, please take your dog to a vet immediately.  If for some reason, you cannot get to a vet, remove each stinger as fast as you can.

Cool the swollen area – Watch your dog closely and help sooth with cool compresses for larger areas or ice for smaller areas.  Reactions to bee stings range from small red marks beneath your pet’s coat to severe swelling on the paws, head, or body.

Keep your pet from scratching itself – Licking the stinger is almost the same as getting stung again.  Scratching the wound will make it more severe.  Wounds are prone to infection and your pet’s immune system will already be compromised but still trying to fight off the venom from the bee stinger.  To help reduce the licking and scratching, use the plastic cones the vets use otherwise called the cone of shame.

Prevent Infection – Use proper wound and infection treatments as the wound heals not just on the fresh bite.  It is always good to have a “doggie first aide kit” incase of emergencies like this.  I bought mine from Chewy.com.

Call your vet – They may advise you to give an antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), but it’s important to know exactly the right dosage suggested for your dog. Antihistamine “sticks” can be applied directly to the skin, but if your dog can lick the spot where he was stung it’s safer to rely on digestible medication. Never give your dog medication of any kind without talking to a veterinarian first.