Prevalent in the southeastern United States, fire ants are an extremely aggressive insect that will bite with very little provocation. If a pet walks within a few feet of a fire ant nest, this will trigger an attack that can lead to dozens of bites and stings.
Fire ants actually bite and sting simultaneously, resulting in an intense burning and itching sensation, swelling, infection and in some cases, a potentially-deadly reaction. Therefore, it's important that pet owners know how to administer treatment for fire ant stings in the minutes, hours and days following an attack.
First Aid for Fire Ant Bites in a Dog
When a fire ant attack occurs, owners must immediately move the dog to a different location. Fire ants emit a chemical signal in response to danger; this tells the other ants to attack. Therefore, the assault will continue until the dog is removed from the vicinity of the anthill.
Next, remove the ants (while outdoors). Pet owners should never use water or a hose – the ants will clamp down in response. Instead, brush the ants off the dog's body, using short, fast strokes; start at the top and work your way down. It's best to use a towel, sleeve, gloves or similar, but if necessary, bare hands will suffice. A brush can be useful for dogs with long fur. In most cases, dogs will sustain ant bites to the face, paws, legs and belly, so when removing the ants, focus on these areas.
Once the ants are removed, follow these steps:
- Apply after-bite liquid or moisten a cotton ball with pure ammonia and dab onto the ant bites to relieve itch;
- Mix baking soda and water (or meat tenderizer and water) into a paste and apply to the affected area(s) for 20 minutes;
- Wash the ant bites with antibacterial soap for two minutes;
- Apply anti-itch cream or spray; and
- Apply cold compresses to reduce itching and swelling.
Step one may not be possible for long-haired dogs, as the bites will not be visible. To allow for effective treatment, owners may opt to trim the affected areas. Another option involves an immediate trip to the vet to obtain oral anti-itch and antibiotic medications.
When applying the baking soda/meat tenderizer paste to the legs and paws, it can be helpful to wrap the area with plastic wrap if the paste won't stay in place. The dog must remain supervised while step two is performed to prevent licking; it's also vital to avoid leaving the dog unattended, as owners must monitor for signs of an allergic reaction.
Treating Fire Ant Bites in a Pet
Once first aid measures are complete, pet owners will need to provide treatment for the ant bites in order to prevent infection and to lessen the discomfort associated with swelling and itching.
- Wash the bites with antibacterial soap twice daily.
- Apply betadine with a cotton ball to disinfect bites and prevent infection.
- Apply an anti-itch spray or cream containing hydrocortisone and leave wounds uncovered.
- Apply cold compresses as needed to reduce swelling and itch.
- Provide Benadryl at a dosage of 1-2 mg/per each pound of body weight, given every 8-12 hours. (Always consult a veterinarian prior to giving over-the-counter medication to a pet!)
If itching is severe or if the dog sustained a large number of bites, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. Antihistamines, anti-itch medications and antibiotics are typically prescribed. It's also important to note that after a few days, the area surrounding the fire ant bites usually appears white or grey in color; discoloration persists for several weeks.
The Dog's Symptoms of Infected Fire Ant Bites
Just like humans, dogs are prone to developing an infection after a fire ant attack. Dogs are especially prone to skin infections due to the scratching and biting that occurs in response to the itching. Symptoms of infection include:
- Redness – Some redness is to be expected, but it should gradually improve. If redness persists or worsens, this suggests infection.
- Swelling – Fire ant bites frequently cause swelling, but the inflammation should be at its worst approximately 24 to 36 hours after the bite occurs. If the swelling fails to improve or if the inflammation worsens after 24- to 36-hours post-injury, infection may be present.
- Increases in wound size – Fire ant bites are notoriously slow in terms of healing, but generally, the wounds won't increase in size unless an infection is present.
- Discharge and/or weeping – A pustule will form at the site of each fire ant sting – this is normal. But generally, discharge is minimal. If the wound is "weeping" pus or fluid, this suggests an infection.
Photographing the area daily can serve as an effective method for monitoring the dog's fire ant bites. Instead of relying upon memory, owners can compare photos. Veterinarians will prescribe oral antibiotics to heal the infection.
Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Insect Stings and Bites in Dogs
While many pets will experience swelling, pain and itching from ant bites, some dogs will develop a potentially deadly allergic reaction to fire ant bites and other insect stings.
Just like some humans, dogs who are allergic to fire ant venom may experience anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that can ultimately lead to death from anaphylactic shock. In a sensitive dog, the symptoms can arise within moments of getting stung, whereas others may manifest symptoms up to 12 hours after the incident.
If a dog has a fire ant venom allergy, the following symptoms will arise:
- Pale gums;
- Drooling;
- Panting;
- Difficulty walking;
- Hives;
- Swelling (often, involving the face and/or paws);
- Vomiting;
- Seizures or tremors;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Refusal to eat and/or drink; and/or
- Lethargy.
These symptoms indicate an emergency that warrants an immediate trip to the veterinarian. Monitoring a dog's vital signs can also be beneficial.
As a pet owner administers treatment for fire ant stings, it's likely that he/she will sustain at least a few bites. To learn more about how to treat ant bites and how to recognize the symptoms of an infection in humans, read How to Treat Fire Ant Bites.
Looking for humane and natural pest control methods for getting rid of ants in the home? These are several pet-safe ant control methods available. To learn more, read How to Get Rid of Ants – Humane and Natural Pest Control Tips.
Sources:
- "Fire Ant Bites" on WebMD's eMedicine.com. Accessed March 24, 2010.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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