Dog trainer warns 'never' as bee season begins
Here's what to do if your dog is stung by a bee
Millions of people across the UK have at least one dog
(Image: Paul Baggaley via Getty Images )
With the sun finally gracing the UK, dog owners are being urged to ensure that they keep an extra eye on their furry friends. The reason? With the warmer weather we will naturally see an increase in bees and while humans know to steer clear of these buzzing insects, dogs aren't always as cautious.
A bee sting can usually be treated at home without a trip to the vet, provided owners act swiftly and follow certain steps. If left unattended, however, the situation could escalate and necessitate medical attention.
To help dog owners navigate this potential hazard, Professional Dog Trainer Annie-Mae Levy from Woofz has compiled a handy guide on how to handle an emergency bee sting situation. Here's her expert advice.
Article continues below
What to do if your dog is stung by a bee?
Remove the stinger immediately
"If your dog gets stung by a bee, the stinger might still be embedded in their skin and could continue to release venom. Our first instinct might be to reach for tweezers, but I advise against this. Why? Because it could potentially squeeze more venom into the wound.
"Instead, you should gently scrape the stinger out using a flat-edged object like a credit card. This method minimises the risk of additional venom exposure. After removal, monitor the area for signs of infection or increased swelling", reports the Daily Record.
Clean and soothe the area
"Okay, you removed the stinger. Now what? You need to gently wash the sting site with mild soap and water to prevent infection from spreading. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and lessen the pain.
"Now, you need to keep the area clean and monitor for signs of infection: increased redness or discharge. If the swelling worsens, take your dog to the vet."
Monitor for allergic reactions
"Most reactions happen within 20 minutes of the sting. Watch for signs of an allergic reaction, like facial swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or collapse. If any of these symptoms occur, seek immediate veterinary care.
"It's important to note that some reactions can be delayed, so continue to monitor your dog for several hours after the sting, like I suggested earlier. In rare cases, severe reactions can occur, leading to life-threatening conditions."
Don't give dogs human medications
"While some sources suggest giving antihistamines like Benadryl, it's important to consult your vet before giving any human medications to your dog. Dosages can fluctuate, and some medications may be harmful to pets, even more harmful than the sting itself.
"Your vet can advise you on appropriate treatments and dosages based on your dog's specific needs.
"I know it goes without saying, but I'll still say it, never assume that medications safe for humans are safe for dogs, as they can lead to serious health complications."
How can I prevent bee stings?
"You might want to keep your dog away from areas with high bee activity, like gardens with blooming flowers. But avoiding doesn't always help because you'll stumble across a one-off bee on your way.
"You should teach your dog to avoid chasing insects. I'd suggest teaching a solid "Leave It" command – or even muzzle training – if the dog is actively trying to catch them.
"If your dog has a history of severe reactions to stings, discuss preventive measures with your vet, like carrying an epinephrine auto-injector."
Article continues below
How can you tell if your dog has been stung?
The Kennel Club suggests that a sting from a bee or wasp could result in your dog exhibiting any of the following common symptoms:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Statesman
2 hours ago
- New Statesman
Schools need more sex education, not less
Illustration by Chris Rogers / Getty Images The grand total of my sex education when I was at school in the Noughties went like this: in Year 6, the girls and boys were split up, and the girls were made to watch a graphic birth video; in Year 8, we carried 'flour babies' around school for a week; in Year 9, we received a self-defence lesson in which the male instructor told us not to wear our hair in a ponytail because an attacker could grab it; and in Year 10, the school nurse demonstrated how to use a condom while we all giggled hysterically. It was entirely focused on the mechanics of sex and the risks it posed to our life outcomes and health. There was no discussion of consent, no suggestion that sex could or should be pleasurable. And there was no mention of the internet and the ways it was already shaping our early, faltering romances. My peers and I learned far more about sex outside the classroom – from playground gossip, chat rooms, TV and porn – than we ever did within it. And yet this is the sort of sex education the last government wanted to return to. In May last year, the then education secretary, Gillian Keegan, published draft revised guidance for Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), which proposed age limits on what children could be taught. Children, it said, would not be informed about puberty before Year 4 (when they are aged eight to nine), sex before Year 5 (nine to ten), sexual harassment or pornography before Year 7 (11-12) or STIs before Year 9 (aged 13-14). There are basic biological problems with this chronology: girls could start their periods before learning what it is (one in four girls already reports that this is the case); pupils could be offered the HPV vaccine before learning what an STI is. But setting all this aside, it is deluded to believe that children are not exposed to everything Keegan wished to protect them from, and much more, beyond the school gates. So, the new RSHE guidance, released by Bridget Phillipson's Department for Education on 15 July, is a welcome relief. While it incorporates some sensible Tory proposals, such as teaching children about the prevalence of deepfakes, age restrictions have been removed. There is greater emphasis on tackling misogyny and incel culture, which Phillipson described, in the aftermath of the Netflix drama Adolescence, as 'a defining issue of our time'. To the previously planned content on stalking, revenge porn and upskirting, Labour added financial sexual exploitation, strangulation, and 'personal safety in public spaces, recognising that sexual harassment and abuse are never the fault of the victim'. Schools will have the flexibility to teach in late primary about sexual imagery online 'where this is an issue in their school'. Keegan's ban on sex education for children aged nine and under received much media attention at the time, thanks largely to the efforts of Miriam Cates, then the Tory MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, who coordinated a letter to Rishi Sunak raising concerns about the appropriateness of RSHE content. Cates, who lost her seat last July, has since said the subject should be 'scrapped' altogether. Children, she told the Commons, employing some bad-faith hyperbole, were being taught 'graphic lessons on oral sex, how to choke your partner safely and 72 genders'. (This last was a reference to news reports about a school on the Isle of Man, which is not part of England and therefore falls outside the Department for Education's remit.) It may indeed seem inappropriate to teach children about strangulation during sex. We instinctively feel that they should not have to know about such things – not yet, not ever. And yet it is necessary that they do. No one wants to have to prepare a small child for the possibility that another child or an adult might try to touch their genitals, but they should know that such an act would be wrong and that they should report it. If a child brings to their teacher a question about, say, a pornographic video that has been shared with them, that teacher should be allowed to sensitively discuss with them what they have seen. Children must be prepared for the world as it is, not as we might wish it to be. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe This is the world as it is: one in ten children has seen pornography by the age of nine, according to the Children's Commissioner, Rachel de Souza. The same research found that nearly half of 18- to 21-year-olds have experienced a violent sex act. More than a third of girls at mixed-sex schools have experienced sexual harassment at school, and, according to the teacher survey app Teacher Tapp, one in eight secondary-school teachers say a student in their school sexually assaulted another pupil in the last autumn term. Pornographic deepfakes are a growing problem; in June 2024 a girls' school alerted authorities that deepfake images and videos depicting its pupils were circulating a nearby boys' school. Despite the UK's overall falling birthrate, pregnancy rates among the under-20s are rising; so too is the prevalence of STIs. 'All children,' as Baroness Strange put it in a debate in the Lords on sex education in 2000, 'have a right to their childhood and their innocence.' Yet it is not schools that threaten their innocence, but technology, which moves at such a pace legislation cannot keep up. Children should be given every opportunity to bring to a trusted adult – whether a teacher or a parent – what they hear and see in the dark corners of the playground or the internet. The alternative is not that they are protected from inappropriate content, but that they are left to process and navigate it alone. [See also: Kemi Badenoch isn't working] Related
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
People could be due up to £441 a month from DWP for hearing conditions
Over 9,500 people above State Pension age are currently receiving Attendance Allowance due to a hearing condition Across Great Britain, it's estimated that 12 million adults are living with hearing impairment or deafness. However, fewer than 50,000 of them are receiving additional financial aid through Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP). Over 9,500 people above State Pension age are currently receiving either £73.90 for the lower rate, or £110.40 for the higher rate of Attendance Allowance each week due to a hearing condition. Payments are typically made every four weeks, equating to either £296.60 or £441.60 per pay period. These disability benefits support 15 main hearing conditions, but this isn't an exhaustive list as the benefit caters to an ever-changing array of conditions, reports the Daily Record. If you, or someone you know, under State Pension age (66) has a hearing condition, consider making a new claim for PIP - find out more here. If you or someone you know is 66 or over and living with a hearing impairment, it's worth considering making a claim for Attendance Allowance. Currently, nearly 1.7 million people across Great Britain, including 150,000 in Scotland, are being supported by Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance is designed to assist those of State Pension age with daily living costs, potentially enabling them to maintain their independence at home for longer. It's crucial to note that unlike PIP, Attendance Allowance does not include a mobility component; these benefits solely provide support for additional daily living expenses. As of August 2024, the number of Attendance Allowance claimants for hearing impairments is as follows: Hearing conditions Conductive hearing loss Chronic secretory otitis media Chronic suppurative otitis media Conductive hearing loss - Other causes / type not known Conductive hearing loss due to Trauma Mastoiditis Otitis externa - chronic Otosclerosis Sensorineural hearing loss Deafness - congenital Labyrinthitis Menieres disease Presbyacusis Sensorineural hearing loss - Other causes / type not known Sensorineural hearing loss due to Trauma Other hearing conditions Mixed hearing loss Other diseases affecting hearing and balance Below is an overview of the benefit and how to make a new claim to DWP. Full details about claiming Attendance Allowance can be found on the website here. What is Attendance Allowance? Attendance Allowance is designed to assist with additional costs if you have a physical or mental disability or illness that makes self-care challenging - it does not cater for mobility needs. It's not necessary to have a carer in order to apply. Who is eligible to apply? You should contemplate applying for Attendance Allowance if you have a disability or illness and require assistance or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night - even if you're not currently receiving that help. This might include: Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet Help to stay safe You should also consider applying if you have difficulties with personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. Attendance Allowance isn't solely for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also consider claiming if you need help or supervision throughout the day or night and have: a mental health condition learning difficulties a sensory condition - if you are deaf or blind How much could I receive on Attendance Allowance? You could receive either £73.90 or £110.40 per week depending on the level of care your condition necessitates, which is paid every four weeks and equates to £296.60 and £441.60 respectively. The funds can be utilised in any way you see fit, potentially aiding in maintaining your independence at home for a longer period. This might include: paying for taxis helping towards bills paying for a cleaner or gardener Is it possible to claim even with savings and other income? Indeed. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your other income sources or the amount of savings you possess are irrelevant - there's no upper limit. It's tax-free and you'll be exempt from the Benefit Cap, ensuring no deductions from any other benefits. Will Attendance Allowance impact my State Pension? No, it won't influence your State Pension and you can still claim it even if you're employed and earning. How do Attendance Allowance affect other benefits? The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include: Extra Pension Credit Housing Benefit Reduction Council Tax Reduction You can check your State Pension age on the website here. How do I submit a claim? To apply for Attendance Allowance from DWP, you'll need to fill out an extensive claim form. It may seem intimidating initially, but assistance is available from your local Citizens Advice, so don't let the form deter you from applying. If you'd prefer to do it yourself you can follow the Citizens Advice guide on how to fill in your claim form here. Full details of how to get the application form by post or over the phone can be found on the website here. What happens if I am nearing State Pension age? If you're contemplating applying for Attendance Allowance upon reaching State Pension age, it might be more beneficial to claim PIP immediately. Who is ineligible to claim Attendance Allowance? You cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you have a Scottish postcode, you need to claim PADP from Social Security Scotland - full details here. You also won't be able to get Attendance Allowance if you already get PIP or DLA to pay for your care. If you apply for Attendance Allowance while getting DLA, the DWP will usually reassess your DLA award instead. You can renew your PIP or DLA when the existing award ends as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. If your renewal is unsuccessful you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'clean beauty' capital named as shoppers look for greener products
There is a growing movement among beauty fans for clean, green and toxin-free products. Scotland's 'clean beauty' capital has been named in a new study. Research into the growing movement towards clean, green and toxin-free beauty products picked out the UK's top spots. According to research by Rhug Wild Beauty, a respected organic skincare brand, Aberdeen ranked tenth out of 50 UK cities for its interest in ethical and sustainable skincare. The findings were based on analysis of monthly Google search volumes for 22 key terms related to clean beauty, including 'ethical beauty brands', 'clean beauty products UK', and 'toxin-free cosmetics'. Aberdeen recorded 100 searches per month from a population of nearly two million, which translates to 51 searches per 100,000 residents. Popular search terms from the Granite City included 'clean beauty UK', 'clean beauty products', and 'clean beauty brands'. Edinburgh also made the national rankings, coming in at 28th place with 30 searches per 100,000 residents, showing a steady but smaller interest in the clean beauty trend. Rhug Wild Beauty's analysis compared local search volumes against population figures to determine which parts of the country are most actively seeking sustainable and toxin-free skincare options. Topping the list was Oxford, with 88 searches per 100,000 residents, more than 158 per cent above the UK average of 34. Oxford's 171,380 residents searched terms such as 'clean beauty brands UK', 'toxin-free cosmetics', 'green beauty brands', and 'sustainable skincare products' around 150 times per month. Newcastle upon Tyne ranked second with 83 searches per 100,000 residents, a 144 per cent increase on the national average. With a population of 192,382, the city recorded 160 monthly searches for phrases including 'ethical beauty' and 'transparent beauty brands'. In third place was Bournemouth, with 79 searches per 100,000 residents. The coastal city's 163,600 residents searched keywords like 'clean beauty brands', 'green beauty products', and 'sustainable skincare UK' approximately 130 times per month. A spokesperson from Rhug Wild Beauty said: 'This data highlights a significant shift in consumer values regarding personal care. With cities like Oxford, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Bournemouth leading the charge, there's a growing nationwide awareness of the importance of clean, transparent, and sustainable beauty. 'Consumers increasingly reject toxic or synthetic ingredients in favour of ethical, environmentally responsible alternatives. This presents a critical opportunity for brands to align with these values through honest labelling, sustainable sourcing, and cruelty-free practices. 'To meet this demand, brands must continue to invest in transparent formulations, plastic-free packaging, and local, traceable ingredients offering peace of mind to the ever-conscious British beauty buyer.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. As demand for sustainable skincare grows, several bestselling products have become favourites among eco-conscious consumers. These include: Ren Evercalm Global Protection Cream, a hydrating day cream rich in antioxidants, now priced at £29.40 (down from £42.00) on the Ren website. Kora Organics Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye Cream, designed to firm and brighten the eye area, available in a refill pod format and currently reduced from £56.00 to £28.00 on SpaceNK. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil (30ml), a vegan formula infused with sustainably sourced ingredients and natural rose fragrance, retailing at £57.00 on SpaceNK. Medik8 Press & Glow Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic, a gentle acid toner suitable for sensitive skin, offered at £32.00 with a sustainable refill option on the Medik8 website.
