I’ve lived in Arizona for 20 years and within the last two years Wynston and I have been stung by scorpions…twice each. Up until then I had never been stung. A little sucker got me in bed twice on the same night. The first time Wynston got stung we were on a walk and the second time it was by a scorpion in the house. It probably sounds scarier than it really is. Here’s what to do if your dog gets stung by a scorpion.
What To Do If Your Dog Gets Stung By A Scorpion
Symptoms
Both times Wynston was stung by a scorpion he let out a loud yelp, scream and starting crying. He wouldn’t put his paw on the floor and the crying kept up until I got his pain under control. The very first time he was stung I initially had no idea what happened so I took him to the emergency vet immediately. We had been walking outside around 10pm at night, so it was dark. The scorpion struck him, then I swooped him up and ran home with him in my arms. Talk about scary.
At that vet visit I learned that there’s not much you can do for typical scorpion stings. A majority of stings are harmless, although they do cause initial pain and tingling which can last for a varied period of time. When a scorpion stung me in the arm, I felt numbness, pain and tingling for two hours. And I’m 140lbs. Imagine a little 8lb dog getting stung…it’s painful. So our best plan of attack was pain management.
I keep tramadol for Wynston due to his IVDD. So when he got stung by a scorpion the second time around in our home, I immediately administered his prescribed medication. I did the best thing because by the next morning, he was 100% back to normal!
Other scorpion sting symptoms to look for in your dog are:
- Drooling
- Watery eyes
- Tremors
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse
- Crying, yelping, whining
Immediate Actions You Can Take If Your Dog Gets Stung By A Scorpion
- If you know the affected area, apply a gentle, cold compress for 10 minutes. Then allow the area to breathe and use the compress for another 10 minutes.
- If your dog gets stung on the paw, leg or tail, keep the area elevated to heart level. This will help keep any venom from spreading into the blood stream. Both times I was able to hold and comfort Wynston in a position to make this possible.
- The stinger may be wedged into your dog’s skin or fur. If you locate it, carefully remove it with tweezers.
- If you see the scorpion, I’d personally kill it, then bring it to the vet so the doctor can determine the severity of the sting.
- If you have pain medication for your dog, administer it.
- Take your dog to receive veterinary attention. Emergency vets are open 24/7.
How to Prevent a Scorpion Sting
- Bring a UV black light flashlight on hikes or walks or while camping. Scorpions will brightly glow in a black or UV light, so you can easily avoid them.
- Keep your dog from digging. You wouldn’t want them to disturb a scorpion’s area, causing them to scatter.
- Be aware after rain. Scorpions will seek solace in a house during or after a storm. They can easily travel in water.
- Keep your drains closed to avoid them coming up through sinks or bathtubs. I have even seen one chillin’ in my toilet…
- Shake out your shoes! If you leave your shoes on the ground, shake them out before putting them on. Scorpions will hide in shoes.
- Make sure your house is sealed. Scorpions can easily make their way through cracks in doors and infiltrate your home.
Most of the time scorpion stings hurt badly but they will not cause death to your dog. In my dog mom opinion it’s most important that you get your dog’s pain under control, as I personally know how horrific scorpion stings feel. However, I am NOT a veterinarian and I always suggest seeking attention of a professional in any situation where your dog’s health may be at risk.
Has your dog ever been stung by a scorpion or any other type of nasty bug? What did you do?
*Affiliate links are present in this post. Thanks for your support! Please remember that Amanda is not a veterinarian. Please seek professional assistance when it comes to questions or concerns about your pet’s health.*
Kinley Westie says
Good info!
Ephraim says
I think our little Pomeranian got stung. We are not sure as we recently moved to Arizona. We looked for pictures on the web of what it would look like but couldn’t find anything. There’s a bubble raised up in the middle and there is a red area around it. He’s not showing any signs of distress. He does growl if you touch it.