If you take your dog regularly to the beach, be sure you have something to treat jellyfish stings – just in case.
HOW TO TREAT A JELLYFISH STING
Treatment for Jellyfish:
- Wear rubber gloves – Touching the tentacles of the jellyfish with your bare hands can lead to being stung.
- Use rubbing alcohol – Pouring rubbing alcohol on the tentacles (70 percent or more) stabilizing the nematocysts and prevent them from triggering more stings to the dog.
- Try tape – Sticky tape can be helpful in removing tentacles.
- Remove remains – Pour sea water or sand over anything stuck in the dog. Do not use freshwater, as toxins can be released.
- Administer Benadryl – Seek veterinary advice and assistance for the correct dosage for your dog.
- Make a baking soda paste – Pack the sting sites with a paste consisting of baking soda and water to soothe the sting.
Alternate cold and heat – Cold compresses (ice wrapped in a cold, wet washcloth) help numb the sting and reduce swelling. Apply them for 10 – 30 minutes. Then, alternate with a towel covered hot compress, 5 minutes on and 5 minutes off until it cools, to bring healing blood back into the area and flush out the poison. Alternate cold and hot packs for 20 minutes.
If your cat loves to drink water from a running tap, consider getting a drinking fountain for her. Cats in the wild drink running water and a pet drinking fountain recreates this in the home.