🐝 Medical Case: Puppy vs. Bee - Tiny Stinger, Big Reaction,
The Patient
A young, playful puppy came to Horizon Animal Hospital after suddenly yelping and pawing at his mouth. His family said he had been acting completely normal one minute and then started crying and making unusual noises the next. They knew something wasn’t right.
When he arrived, we noticed some localized swelling and obvious discomfort.
The Case
During our exam, we found the culprit — a bee stinger lodged right in the tip of his tongue.
It was small. Very small. But in a spot like that, even something tiny can cause a surprising amount of pain and inflammation. That little stinger explained the sudden vocalizing and distress.
Because the tongue is so sensitive (and puppies aren’t known for sitting still), we wanted to make sure removal was safe, controlled, and as stress-free as possible.
The Treatment
We used a short-acting sedative so we could carefully examine his mouth and remove the stinger without causing fear or additional pain. Once he was relaxed, the stinger was completely removed.
For demonstration purposes, we took a photo of the stinger resting on the tongue after removal to show just how small it was — and how something so tiny can cause such a big reaction. No pieces were left behind.
To help reduce swelling and discomfort, he also received a steroid injection to reduce inflammation and speed up relief.
The Outcome
Within about 15 minutes, he was fully awake, comfortable, and back to being himself. The swelling improved quickly, and there were no signs of lingering pain.
Best of all, he had no negative experience with the exam or oral handling. He left happy, playful, and ready to get back to puppy life — much to his family’s relief.
Even tiny foreign bodies can result in notable pain and swelling. Prompt evaluation, gentle handling, and appropriate medical intervention can lead to rapid resolution with minimal stress for the patient.
At Horizon Animal Hospital, we’re prepared for everything from advanced procedures to unexpected everyday emergencies. If your pet is showing signs of discomfort or something just doesn’t seem right, our team is here to provide compassionate, timely care when it matters most.