How to Treat A Dog With Ant Bites
Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
by Abigail Richards
Recently, I suffered the horror of watching my chiweenie make the mistake of stepping in an ant bed. When he first stepped in it, he quickly ran away so I assumed he did not have anything on him, but then he sprinted back to the mound and began running his back side on it as if to take the ants back to their home.
Screaming, I finally was able to pick him up! I learned some valuable lessons that day on how to treat a dog with ant bites. I thought I would share.
You do not need a ton of materials to treat a dog with ant bites, but you do need to be prepared. With summer approaching, ants will be everywhere including your dogs favorite park, campground or even in the front yard. Therefore, I can not stress enough to be prepared and have your medicine cabinet stocked with children's Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream, Aveeno Advanced Care Body Wash or Oatmeal baths.
1. Wash Off the Ants
The first thing that needs to be done is to get the ants off of your dog. Look for water quick. If you are at home, a cold water bath can do the trick and offer quick relief. At the campground, look for a hose or throw the dog in the lake. The most important thing is to remove the ants so they can't bite anymore. At the park, you may be using your bottled water or run to the nearest bathroom facility.
2. Give Benadryl
Children's Benadryl will be your life saver! If you have a little breed like I do, this needs to be given as soon as possible because they are prone to an allergic reaction. I have a friend whose chihuahua swelled three times it size after being bitten by ants. It is very dangerous so Benadryl is essential to stop the allergic reaction. You can give one to two milligrams per pound of dog. For an eight pound dog, give 16 milligrams.
3. Give A Bath
The same products that help kids with stop itching, can help a dog. You can bathe them in an Oatmeal bath or use the Aveeno Advanced Care Body Wash. It will offer some quick relief and your dog will love the pampering.
4. Hydrocortisone Cream
You can put anti-itch cream on the bites, but you must watch your dog continuously. The dog can not lick the medicine because it can make them sick. Therefore, if you are not able to keep a constant eye on your dog or your dog is a constant licker, this step is not for you!
5. Call Your Vet
As soon as possible, call your veterinarian. Vets are great resources and should know your dog pretty well. The vet can also give your dog a comforting bath as well. It will be beneficial to get the dog checked out so that you can confirm the allergic reaction has stopped.
The most important part of treating your dog is to act quickly! The faster the ants off, the faster the dog is comforted, the better is will be on you and your dog. I hope this season, you avoid the ants, but if you do come across them-Be prepared!
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