What to Do If My Dog Gets Stung by a Jellyfish

Luckily, dogs are increasingly allowed on Spanish beaches. However, once there, it's not all fun and games — some precautions need to be taken while our furry friend enjoys this natural setting.

Just like humans, dogs can also fall victim to jellyfish stings, one of the most common hazards at the beach. That's why, here at SoyUnPerro, we want to explain what to do if your dog gets stung by a jellyfish. You need to act fast!

Types of jellyfish and how dangerous they are

Jellyfish are animals belonging to the cnidarian group, with stinging cells called nematocysts. These are organs used to deliver toxins through stingers when they come into contact with another animal's skin.

There are more than 1,500 jellyfish species in the world. Spain also has several. Some of the most commonly found along Spanish coasts are:

1. Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma octopus): Usually found in the Mediterranean Sea, reaching about a meter in diameter in adult specimens. Whitish in color, what stands out most about this animal is a violet-tinted filament. Its danger level is medium.
2. Fried egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata): yellowish-brown in color, umbrella-shaped, and about 20 cm in diameter. Its tentacles are very distinctive, being purple and circular in shape. It's commonly found in Mediterranean waters. Its danger level is low.
3. Compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella): whitish-yellow in color and about 30 cm in diameter. It can be found in both Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. Its danger level is high.
4. Mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca): pinkish-red in color, with long tentacles, and about 20 cm in diameter. It's common in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its danger level is high.
5. Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis): this animal actually isn't a jellyfish, but a siphonophore made up of several animal species. It's about 30 cm long and 10 cm wide, but its tentacles can reach tens of meters long. It can be found in warm Atlantic waters and in the Mediterranean. Its danger level is very high, and it can be fatal.

Factors that worsen jellyfish stings in dogs

Given their curiosity and eagerness to play, dogs are an easy target for jellyfish stings. When this happens, they feel the same pain we do, but there are also other factors that can worsen the consequences:

• Jellyfish species: being stung by a common jellyfish isn't the same as being stung by a Portuguese man o' war, for example. That's why, if we've seen the jellyfish that stung our dog, we should describe it to the vet treating our dog.
• The dog's health: a vital factor here is our dog's overall health. A weakened immune system can make the situation worse.
• The dog's age: puppies and older dogs tend to be more sensitive to the effects of stings due to a less developed or weaker immune system.
• The dog's weight: if we're talking about a dog weighing no more than three or four kilos with a fairly large sting, the symptoms and consequences will be more serious than the same amount of venom in a large dog.
• Surface area affected by the sting: this will depend on where the sting is located and how thick the skin is there. For example, the abdomen, nose, inside of the ears, mouth, or groin and armpit areas are more sensitive spots given the lack of a protective layer of thick fur.
• Amount of venom injected: naturally, a smaller sting will have a much better outcome than a large sting with a lot of venom injected affecting several areas.

Symptoms of a jellyfish sting in dogs

Some symptoms that can alert us that our dog has been stung by a jellyfish are:

• Pain and whimpering.
• Skin wounds.
• Swelling (fluid buildup in the skin from inflammation).
• Redness of the skin.
• Itching.
• Presence of papules (small pus-filled lesions, which will usually happen if the affected area is licked).
• Tiredness.

In more severe cases:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Dyspnea (difficulty breathing).
• Syncope (fainting).
• Muscle cramps and agitation.

My dog has been stung by a jellyfish, what should I do?

If, unfortunately, this incident ruins your day at the beach, the best thing to do is see the vet as soon as possible, especially if the dog shows any of the signs mentioned above. The vet can place an IV line in severe cases, give antihistamines, and treat any wounds or shock our pet may have.

If, on the other hand, you can't get to the vet right at that moment, here's a list of the steps to follow to treat a jellyfish sting. How quickly you act is vital for the recovery that follows.

That said, jellyfish stings are serious injuries for dogs that need to be urgently treated by the vet, so following these steps doesn't replace the required visit to the specialist — they'll only help us buy time and ease the pain a bit.

Steps to follow:

1. First, move the dog away from where the jellyfish is and try to keep them from scratching or licking the area, since this can cause the venom to spread and reach the tongue.
2. Check the area for tentacles or other jellyfish remains. If you spot any, remove them very carefully with tweezers or gloves to avoid affecting yourself, and rinse the area with plenty of salt water.
3. You can apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce pain in the affected area, since cold has a "local anesthetic" effect by constricting blood vessels in the area. Never apply cold directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel or bag.
4. It's recommended to wash the wound with baking soda and warm water (ideally seawater) for about 15 minutes to prevent further nematocyst discharge.
5. Don't use fresh water, spirits, or alcohol to deactivate the tentacles on the skin, since all of these can cause a massive nematocyst discharge in some cases.
6. Next, gently pat the skin dry without rubbing and apply an ointment containing corticosteroids or antihistamines to help ease the allergic reaction.
7. See a vet as soon as possible.

Symptoms typically go away within a few days, though secondary complications can occur, such as infections, so we should keep an eye on the affected area and tell the vet about any change we notice, whether physical or behavioral.

Lastly, we shouldn't forget that, despite the risk, the beach is a fantastic place to have a great time with your four-legged best friend. So, as long as you're careful and keep an eye on your dog, you can both have a summer day full of fun and benefits.