When his little dog froze in the middle of the living room, front paw in the air, the pain was so violent that he refused to move. For about ten minutes, his owner experienced “total panic”, convinced that he had just broken a bone or stuck his paw. Yet the house was designed for his dogs, with every room checked. This one-year-old Chihuahua, named Matilda, will however trigger an express investigation which, thanks to surveillance cameras, will make his mistress shiver before reassuring her.
Behind the lens in Virginia is Juliana DeWillems, a dog behavior professional. She says on TikTok: “A million possibilities went through my head: a twisted ankle, a broken bone, a stuck leg…“. While observing the ground, she spots an almost invisible detail: an inert wasp on the floor. Juliana then launches the images from her internal camera and sees Matilda place her paw on the insect, then instantly begin to limp. The mystery of this
dog that suddenly starts limping transforms into a precise diagnosis: a wasp sting.
Matilda, the limping Chihuahua, and the composure of Juliana DeWillems
Despite the fear, Juliana clings to what she teaches her clients: to stay calm to help the dog. She takes Matilda in her arms, limits her movements and quickly checks that no bones seem out of place. Then she calls a veterinarian, explains the scene seen on the video and follows his recommendations to the letter to treat the bite.
On the advice of the specialist, she administers a suitable antihistamine and soaks Matilda’s paw in lukewarm water with salt. The little dog lets herself be handled without protesting, despite the pain. The lameness disappears in the evening, although Matilda remains very tired the next day. Juliana then recalls: “We often forget how much such stressful events exhaust our dogs.“.
When an insect bite causes a dog to suddenly limp
Insect stings, such as those from wasps, can cause obvious reactions in dogs such as agitation, whining or intense scratching. Depending on the type of sting, it is essential to take certain precautions to avoid envenomation and protect your animal. In case of wasp or bee stings, is it possible to remove the stinger? After locating the sting, you may notice a stinger, a small brown thorn sometimes topped with a larger head (the venom sac). The presence of a stinger indicates a bee sting, not a wasp. To remove the stinger and prevent the spread of the venom, gently scratch or use tweezers, being careful. If the venom sac ruptures, the venom will spread more quickly under your dog’s skin.
The dangers of an allergic reaction
If your dog has been stung by a bee or wasp, it is likely that his skin will swell slightly. If inflammation persists, it may indicate an allergic reaction. If the skin remains swollen, your dog scratches, or appears despondent, seek veterinary care immediately. The risk is increased if the insect has bitten the neck or the inside of the mouth, as the swelling could hamper breathing.