By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A red lump on your dog's belly after a walk is usually a mosquito, a flea, or a march fly, and it will be gone in a day. But some Australian bugs are a different matter. A paralysis tick on the east coast can stop a dog breathing within days, a swarm of European wasps can deliver dozens of stings, and a bee sting inside the mouth can swell fast. The skill is knowing which bite is a nuisance and which one is an emergency. This guide walks through the common culprits, what each looks like, and what to do next.
Key takeaways
- Most insect bites cause small itchy bumps that settle within 24 to 48 hours.
- Paralysis ticks, multiple stings, stings in the mouth, and any allergic reaction are emergencies.
- Allergic reactions in dogs often show as vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, or pale gums, not just swelling.
- Never give human antihistamines or pain medicines without veterinary advice.
- Year-round parasite prevention covers fleas, ticks, and heartworm, the bugs that cause the most long-term harm.
Common biting and stinging bugs in Australia
- Fleas: tiny, fast, and the most common cause of itchy skin in dogs. Bites cluster around the tail base and back legs.
- Ticks: the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) along the eastern seaboard is life-threatening. Brown dog ticks in northern Australia spread blood-borne diseases including ehrlichiosis.
- Mosquitoes: itchy bumps on thin-haired areas, and the carrier of heartworm.
- Bees and wasps: painful stings, local swelling, and the most common cause of insect allergy in dogs.
- Ants: bull ants, jack jumpers, and fire ants sting and can trigger reactions. See our guide to ant bites on dogs.
- Flies: march flies and stable flies bite ear tips and the face, causing crusty sores.
- Spiders: rarely seen biting, and often blamed for wounds that are something else. See spider bite on dog.
What bites and stings look like
- Red, raised bumps or welts
- Localised swelling, often on the muzzle or a paw
- Scratching, licking, or chewing at one spot
- Crusts on ear tips (fly bites)
- Sudden yelp and limp, often a sting
- A firm, grey or white lump attached to the skin (an engorged tick)
Warning signs that need urgent care
- Change in bark, gagging, or regurgitation, wobbly back legs, or laboured breathing (classic paralysis tick signs)
- Swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Hives across the body
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse, or pale gums soon after a sting
- Many stings at once
If systemic signs appear after a sting, read anaphylactic shock in dogs and get moving to a clinic.
What to do right now
- Remove the source. Move away from nests or swarms.
- Bee stinger: scrape it out sideways with a card edge as soon as you see it. Do not squeeze the venom sac.
- Tick found: remove it promptly with a tick hook or fine tweezers close to the skin, keep it in a sealed bag, and search the whole dog for more. In paralysis tick areas, call your vet even if your dog seems normal, because signs can develop over the following day or two.
- Cool the area with a damp cloth for ten minutes to ease swelling.
- Stop licking with a cone if needed.
- Do not apply essential oils, tea tree oil, or human creams, and do not give human medicines.
When to see a vet
Emergency, go now: any paralysis tick signs, breathing changes, facial or throat swelling, collapse, vomiting after a sting, stings in the mouth, or multiple stings.
Same day: a paralysis tick found on your dog even without signs, a swelling that keeps growing, a bite that looks infected, or a small dog or puppy with several stings.
Can usually be monitored: one or two small itchy bumps in a bright, comfortable dog. Call if it is not improving within two days.
How vets typically help
For simple bites, a vet may recommend anti-itch care and check for fleas or other causes of itching. For allergic reactions, treatment focuses on breathing and circulation with injectable medicines, fluids, and observation. Paralysis tick cases receive tick antiserum, careful handling to reduce stress, and in severe cases oxygen or ventilation. Recurring bites may point to a flea allergy that needs a whole-household plan.
Prevention
- Use a vet-recommended, year-round product that covers fleas, ticks, and heartworm for your area.
- Do a daily tick search in tick country: nose to tail, between toes, inside ears, and under the collar.
- Keep grass short and clear leaf litter where ticks shelter.
- Have wasp nests removed by a professional.
- Use dog-safe fly protection for ear tips in summer if your dog spends time outdoors.
FAQ
How do I know whether it is a bite or something else?
Bites tend to appear suddenly after time outdoors. Lumps that grow over weeks, sores that do not heal, or patchy hair loss are more likely skin disease. Our guide to common dog skin diseases covers the alternatives.
Can my dog be allergic to bites without a first-time warning?
Yes. Some dogs have a severe reaction without a previous one their owners noticed. Treat systemic signs as urgent every time.
Do tick prevention products mean I can skip tick searches?
No. Products greatly reduce risk, but no product is perfect. Daily checks are still advised in paralysis tick areas.
Is a swollen face after a bee sting always an emergency?
Facial swelling needs at least a same-day call, and urgent care if breathing is affected or the swelling is spreading. More detail is in bee stings and allergies in dogs.
Talk with a vet
For a lump you are unsure about or a mild sting, a vet at Dial A Vet can review photos and help you decide whether to monitor or book in. For tick paralysis signs, breathing difficulty, or collapse, go straight to the nearest clinic.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Tick paralysis in animals; Wasp, bee, and ant stings to animals.
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis?
- American Heartworm Society. Heartworm basics.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace a veterinary examination. Paralysis tick signs, breathing changes, and allergic reactions are emergencies.