Mosquito bites aren’t simply annoying to people. They may also be extraordinarily irritating to canines. Your canine is prone to scratch or lick the affected space, however steady scratching can find yourself exacerbating mosquito bites and even result in pores and skin infections.
Dogs are simply as vulnerable to mosquito bites as people, so it’s vital to know what to do in case your canine will get bitten. Fortunately, there are a number of at-home cures you possibly can attempt to alleviate itchiness and cut back scratching. Here are some things you are able to do to maintain your canine from scratching and worsening mosquito bites.
The 5 Treatments for Mosquito Bites on Dogs
1. Cold Compress
Using a chilly compress on mosquito bites might help cut back swelling and alleviate itchiness quickly. It normally works finest when you apply it proper after your canine will get bitten.
If you don’t have an ice pack, you may make your personal chilly compress by placing some ice right into a plastic zip-lock bag or utilizing a bag of frozen peas, and overlaying it with a paper towel or skinny piece of fabric. You may run chilly water on the chew, however keep away from placing ice instantly onto the chew, as this could find yourself being extra irritating and painful on your canine. Cold compresses might be left on the positioning of the chew for 10–quarter-hour in case your canine tolerates it effectively.
2. Anti-Itch Ointment for Dogs
With insect bites being a typical incidence for canines, yow will discover many various sorts of anti-itch ointments for canines. Therefore, chorus from utilizing anti-itch merchandise for people as a result of they could include components which might be unsafe for canines. These components can find yourself worsening the itch or might be dangerous if ingested.
Many anti-itch ointments are over-the-counter medicines and available at your native pet provide retailer. However, in case your canine has a pre-existing well being situation or allergic reactions, seek the advice of your veterinarian earlier than shopping for one among these merchandise. Your veterinarian might help you identify which product might be most secure and simplest on your canine.
3. Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda paste is an at-home treatment that may assist soothe irritating bug bites. All you want is 1 tablespoon of baking soda and simply sufficient water to create a paste which you can apply over the mosquito chew. Once you cowl the chew with baking soda paste, have your canine sit or lie nonetheless for 10 minutes and distract them with a chew or deal with. You can rinse off the paste with water as soon as the ten minutes are up.
4. E-Collar
Scratching mosquito bites can find yourself wounding the pores and skin, which might result in bleeding and pores and skin infections. Therefore, it’s vital to forestall your canine from itching or licking mosquito bites. If your canine has a specific fixation on the mosquito chew, it may be useful to make use of an e-collar to forestall your canine from licking the realm. Loose T-shirts may also be used to cowl an space and assist stop trauma from scratching.
5. Allergy Medication
Some canines might have allergic reactions to bug bites. If your canine is allergic to bug bites, it’s a good suggestion to seek the advice of along with your vet about whether or not there are drugs you possibly can have at hand throughout the hotter months to assist stop allergic reactions.
Antihistamines, akin to diphenhydramine, cetirizine, and loratadine, are over-the-counter medicines that can be utilized on canines. Just be sure that to get clearance out of your vet earlier than giving drugs to your canine. Your vet can let what kinds of antihistamines are secure on your canine and the suitable dosages for them.
When to Go to the Vet
Most instances of mosquito bites might be handled at residence with out veterinary intervention. However, there are uncommon instances the place your canine must see a vet or obtain emergency care.
The very first thing to be aware of is allergic reactions. While unusual, some canines can have an allergic response from a mosquito chew. Allergic reactions can get harmful in case your canine experiences anaphylaxis, a extreme response which might trigger excessive swelling and shut up your canine’s airways. Signs of anaphylaxis embody hives, swollen face or muzzle, extreme salivation, and issue respiration.
It’s additionally vital to notice that mosquitoes might be hosts of different ailments and parasites. Heartworms can be transmitted by way of mosquito bites, so be sure that your canine is taking their heartworm treatment repeatedly. Mosquitoes are additionally carriers of West Nile virus. Although canines are vulnerable to an infection with this virus, they’re extra proof against illness than people and it’s uncommon that in any other case wholesome canines turn into ailing. If your canine will get bitten in an space with instances of West Nile virus, contact your vet for recommendation.
Overall, when you discover any unusual behaviors out of your canine or see that the chew is worsening, be sure that to take your canine to your vet.
Conclusion
It’s finest to be proactive about lowering your canine’s publicity to mosquitoes as a lot as attainable and deal with any mosquito bites early. Make positive to examine your canine’s pores and skin for mosquito bites throughout the summer season months, particularly in the event that they’ve walked by way of an space with a major variety of mosquitoes.
You can attempt to apply anti-itch ointments on the affected areas to forestall itching, and cut back the trauma of scratching and licking through the use of an E-collar or unfastened T-shirt. Don’t hesitate to contact your vet when you discover the irritation will not be resolving rapidly or the affected space is worsening.
Featured Image Credit: ArtLovePhoto, Shutterstock
