Can dogs get stung?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Just wondering if dogs can get stung by nettles the same as people do?

My dog has been nibbling and scratching his skin more than normal lately. He has only recently been groomed and the groomer didn't say she had seen anything on his skin.

He does brush along nettles when we are out walking and am wondering whether he has been stung.

rochja

Short answer - yes - BUT: nibbling and scratching shortly after grooming is much more likely to be caused by the products used by the groomer, which have, of course, been in intimate contact with the skin. Fleas and ticks are also a possibility especially if you always use the same treatment and it is one to which fleas are developing tolerance. If you have a flea comb apply it and see what comes to light. If you have a magnifying glass you can back comb the hair to examine the skin.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

He was nibbling and scratching a bit before he was groomed. He is a Bedlington whippet cross and he has quite fine fur which is currently quite short. On inspection I can't see any fleas or ticks on him.

I never use a flea treatment. I got him as a rescue dog nearly 2 years ago and have never needed to use any flea treatment. The only thing I do give him are drontal worming tablets.

Lieja

My American Bulldog used to refuse to walk through nettles, the big softy. Dogs are definitely stingable!

any_name_will_suffice

I remember Rocky bouncing through a huge patch of nettles to get to a stream. He didn't react at the time, but lay on the sofa whimpering that evening :eek:

teddysmum

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

On inspection I can't see any fleas or ticks on him.

Fleas may well have jumped off, but you can detect their presence by applying wet kitchen roll to any tiny black specks. If they are flea faeces, the stain will spread on the paper.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I've applied some aloe vera gel to the irritated area & it seems to have soothed it. Will apply some more later this evening and see how it goes.

dontone

He might have a touch of hayfever.
My pooch is always scratching and biting more around this time of year, we did ask vet advice last year, and apparently pollen and grass can set them off with itching.
We put Sudocrem on our dog when he gets sore from it which seems to help. Also wiping him down when he's been in long grass helps too.
It he gets worse then take him to the vet to get him checked out.

HTH

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have a dog mitt I bought a while ago from Pets At Home. I'll dig that out and rub him over with that.

I will certainly take him to the vets if I don't see an improvement in his scratching.

ameliarate

Please post a pic of your Bedlington/Whippet Cross. I want one but can't have any more dogs

the_devil_made_me_do_it

ameliarate wrote: »

Please post a pic of your Bedlington/Whippet Cross. I want one but can't have any more dogs

I don't know how to post pictures. He's very Whippet in body, but he has the curly fur of a Bedlington. I got him nearly 2 years ago from a local rescue center. He's an old boy, he's either 10 or 11 years old now. Such a sweet dog.

I have had to spend a lot of money on vets bills as he had a variety of health problems when I got him.