Pathological findings in dogs after multiple Africanized bee stings

Abstract

This retrospective study included 19 dogs that died by intoxication due to multiple Africanized bee stings. Bee accidents occurred in rural and urban areas of the Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Although bee stings were associated with edema and hyperemia in several regions of the body, head and neck were the most commonly and massively affected areas. Stingers and bees were also observed in the digestive tract. Dark-colored kidneys, dark-red urine, splenomegaly, and dark red lungs were the main gross changes. Histologically, all the dogs had kidney tubular degeneration and necrosis, which were associated with tubular pigment accumulation in most cases. Other lesions included muscular necrosis, hemorrhage in different organs, marked congestion of the spleen and pulmonary edema and congestion.