Bugs, Bugs, and More Bugs

This post is dedicated to my dog Lexie who decided a nasty slug would be a tasty treat for her to bring in the house and eat on the kitchen floor.

Do you ever ask yourself these questions: Are some bugs worse for my dog than others? Can bugs, when ingested, be toxic? Why does my dog eat bugs? Well here's the scoop on the dreaded bug affair some dogs seem to have with insects and what dog parents need to know.

Slugs:
         Slugs are not dangerous but dogs can catch lungworm through eating slugs and snails which carry the larvae of the parasite.

Wasps, Hornets, and Bees:
         These flying insects not only hurt when they sting a dog, but facial swelling can ensue as well as severe hives and allergic reaction that include vomiting and diarrhea. Always keep Benadryl handy if you are an owner of a bug chaser.

Stinkbugs:
         This smelly creatures are named after the odor they emit when disturbed or crushed, the stinkbug has been known to cause intestinal upset and producing symptoms of vomiting, nausea, excessive salivation and loss of appetite.

Caterpillars:
          These creepy crawlies are a tempting mobile snack for many dogs. Teaching your dog a command like "leave it" is very helpful in these situations. Some caterpillars can be toxic or their bristles can cause irritation in the mouth or GI tract if eaten. The exact type of toxin varies depending on the type of caterpillar, if you fear your dog has eaten a caterpillar, seek veterinary care.

Spiders:
         In our part of the United States, there are both brown recluse and black widow spiders, both capable of potentially fatal stings.

Flies and Mosquitoes:
          Flying insects like flies and mosquitoes are not toxic and generally do not cause a problem for dogs. Flies have been known to carry roundworms, which can be passed to a pet when the insect is eaten, so watch for signs.

Ladybugs:
          These cute little beetles can be toxic if ingested. They cause what amounts to a chemical burn when swallowed.

Ants;
         Ants, especially fire ants, cause stings that product a lot of swelling. And of course, the dog usually encounters a nest of ants, so gets stung by hundreds. seek veterinary care immediately.

Fleas:
        The dreaded fleas carry disease and can be potentially toxie to your furry friend. Fleas can carry tapeworms and can pass them on to pets when ingested while grooming.