Massive attack by honeybees in a German shepherd dog: description of a fatal case and review of the literature

Abstract

In the present study, a fatal case caused by honeybee (Apis cerana) stings was documented in a female German shepherd dog that was presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. Characteristic clinical signs included hematuria, hematemesis, incoordination and convulsions along with evidence of massive honeybee attack supported the diagnosis of envenomation. The dog was treated with dexamethasone and diphenhydramine, but it did not respond to therapy and died. This outcome could be avoided if we had a bee antivenom available for treating envenomated patients.

Acute renal failure in a horse following bee sting toxicity

“…Furthermore, increased urea and creatinine blood levels suggested acute renal failure in this case, which was later confirmed through the gross and microscopic pathological changes. These findings are similar to the ones described in massive bee attacks in humans (HUGHES, 2019), dogs (MUGHAL et al, 2014) and horses (LEWIS & RACKLYEFT, 2014), and the pathogenesis of this lesion was most likely related to direct nephrotoxicity and hypotension due to the venom vasoactive components (FITZGERALD & FLOOD, 2006). The reduced perfusion of the renal tissue may have reduced the glomerular filtration rate and, consequently, caused urine stasis at the proximal and distal tubules of the kidney, leading to tubular epithelial necrosis (CIANCIOLO & MOHR, 2016).…”

An accidental fatal attack on domestic pigeons by honey bees in Bangladesh

“…The principal components of bee venom are phospholipase A 2 , melittin, apamin, peptide 401, histamine, hyaluronidase, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 14 ]. In mammals, bee stings can produce a wide range of responses, from a local immune response to severe life-threatening systemic reactions that can trigger allergic, anaphylactic or toxic reactions involving skin necrosis, liver injury, cardiac damage, hypotension, shock, respiratory distress syndrome, dyspnoea, asphyxia, pancreatitis, bleeding, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, rhabdomyolysis and renal failure [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 19 ]. Consequently, its diverse range of pathophysiological effects on humans and livestock has major medical, veterinary and economic implications [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 20 ].…”

“…Most experimental studies and clinical reports on the toxicity of bee venom have been reported in mammals, such as humans, mice, rats, dogs, cattle and horses [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Fatal case reports among pigeons following multiple bee stings are rare.…”

“…We removed visible embedded stings from the pigeons and treated them with prednisolone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg, IM), diphenhydramine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, IM) and sulphadimidine sodium (0.2 mg/kg, IM). Warmed (40°C) 2.5% dextrose saline (10 m l /kg, SC) and furosemide (2 mg/kg, PO) were also administered [ 4 , 7 , 11 , 13 , 18 ]. Before treatment, 4 m l of blood was collected from the alar vein of the affected pigeons [ 10 ]; additionally, we took the same volume of blood from uninjured age- and weight-matched normal pigeons as normal controls.…”

“… ). Angioedema at the sting site is a common symptom in patients who have suffered a massive honey bee attack [ 4 , 7 , 11 , 13 , 14 ].…”