Bee and wasp desensitization

Bees and wasps can cause life-threatening reactions in humans and animals.

The symptoms of allergic reactions to stings can vary in dogs and range from generalised flushing, itching, redness, diffuse swelling (oedema) of the skin especially of the face or throat (larynx) or urticaria (hives), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, faintness, blurring or loss of vision, respiratory difficulties (bronchospasm), seizures, respiratory or cardiac arrest and death. Systemic reactions can occur within seconds or minutes of the sting.

In cases where a life-threatening allergic reaction has occurred following a sting or envenomation, diagnosis by allergy testing and venom immunotherapy are strongly recommended.

In humans and veterinary medicine venom immunotherapy is an extremely effective treatment for preventing future reactions to stings. The Skin, Allergy and Ear Clinic has the facilities for both allergy testing and desensitization for bees and wasps.