My Dog was Attacked by Yellow Jackets and his Eyes turned BLOOD RED!

Pet emergencies can pop up at anytime and my husband, Ed, and I have been in this situation many times; however, it’s been awhile since we’ve encountered this.   Today, we found ourselves rushing to the vet with our best furry friend, Brody, after he was attacked and stung by dozens of yellow jackets on his face, ears, and body.

We were outside waiting for Brody to do his business.  As he walked under this hedge,  I decided to go inside our home.    The landscaping bed has flowers and bushes along with our bluebird houses.  There was no nest of yellow jackets just a couple of days ago.    All of sudden, a swarm came rushing at Brody during his exploration.

Not knowing this happened,   Ed was banging loudly on our door and screaming my name!    I thought, ok, I locked the door by my mistake, hold on.    Ed was in a panic as held Brody who was now listless.    I told Ed to call the vet as I checked Brody who was laying motionless on the floor in front of me.

That was when I looked at Brody’s eyes.    The whites of his eyes were getting redder by the second until the entire whites of his eyes turned blood red!    I told Ed we need to get to our vet ASAP!

As we drove to the vet, my inquisitive beloved dog who insists on sniffing the vents relentlessly and sticking his head out of our car window as we drive slowly on our street,  only wanted to lay on my lap (totally out of character) as I reassured him and Ed everything will be okay.  My heart was pounding.    Brody was in obvious pain.    My dog who LOVES car rides had zero interest in anything.

To top this, we came upon a road detour that backed up a main road.    We kicked the car in reverse, turned around and took a longer route to our vet leaving us frustrated but I remained calm for Brody.

Our vet’s office was expecting us and they took him immediately as we waited nervously in the waiting room.   Ed then told me what he witnessed.   When Brody walked under the hedge,  he came out swatting his face,  biting his back, shaking his head and screaming!    Before Ed could get him, Brody slid his face on our grass to remove the dozens of yellow jackets.     Ed picked him up and ran to a door while picking off these potentially dangerous insects getting stung in the process himself.    Brody was repeatedly stung on his face, ears, and back.    His longer hair made it difficult to see them.

As I sat there, all I could think of was how important this handsome, intelligent dog is to my family.    I swear he is part human.   He understand sentences so we spell out words.     I keep reminding Ed he can’t say certain things in front of Brody because he will understand.     For instance,  Ed said Brody hadn’t sat with him in his recliner for awhile.     I told him to tell Brody who was laying on his bed beside my chair.    Ed didn’t call Brody to his chair and didn’t bribe him with food or the promise of a car ride.   He just said, “I miss Brody sitting with me.”    Brody walked over and jumped on his chair!!   I kid you not!

We adopted Brody three years ago shortly after his right front leg was amputated due to his former owner severely abusing him by breaking his leg and never getting him help.    I knew instantly he belonged with our family the moment I saw his photo.

Now we waited and I was scared.    Please let him be okay, I kept repeating to myself.    Finally we were summoned to a room where a vet wanted to talk to us.     It was then we saw Brody and he was much improved!    The vet had given him a steroid injection which is standard for bee stings which reduces inflammation.    This wonderful vet explained the sheer number of yellow jackets who stung him was the reason for the blood red eyes.

A wave of relief came over me.   The staff was so comforting toward Brody and us.     When we drove home, our boy was now interested in sitting on my lap and watching the road but he was still clearly in pain.

We’ve been instructed to give him Benadryl every six hours for 24 hours.     Prior to giving the first dose,  our three-year-old terrier was very tired and went straight to the bedroom.     He was still listless and this was before his first dose of Benadryl.

Brody was tired after coming home from the vet. No Benadryl was given to him when I took this photo.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein

Here’s what you need to know in the event your dog is stung by yellow jackets, bees, wasps or hornets.   If you see your dog isn’t acting normal, call your vet asap.    If your dog has breathing problems, get him/her to your immediately!   Anaphylactic shock can kill!   Their throats will close up leaving them unable to breathe.    Don’t waste time.   It can be a matter of life and death.

You should always consult your vet if giving him/her diphenhydramine (Benadryl.)   It may not be the right medication for your dog.    Don’t ever use diphenhydramine mixed with any other  INGREDIENTS SUCH AS A DECONGESTANT,  ACETIMINOPHEN, OR XYLITOL.    These drugs can adversely affect your dog – strictly diphenhydramine only!      

If you see any of the following, get your dog to the vet ASAP!

– Breathing changes

– Increasing swelling

– Lethargic

– Vomiting

– Diarrhea

Here is more helpful advice from Dr. Pippa Elliot, BVMS, MRCMS.

If you’re not sure about any reactions, always call your vet.    It’s always better to be safe than sorry.   Although Brody didn’t have an anaphylactic reaction,  he was adversely affected by the yellow jackets but he will be fine!

Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer, and an unabashed animal advocate.   Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals.    She hosts the television show, “A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.”   She adores her tripawd, Brody, who was a formerly abused pup who lost his leg because of cruelty inflicted upon him.    If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com.     Like https:www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookatAnimalWelfareIssues and be sure to check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com.