Probably by the time that you read this, the worst will be over...one way or another. If your dog has been bitten badly (i.e. covered in bites), you would want to go to the vet immediately. Otherwise, a mild bath in warm water mixed with apple cider vinegar (and maybe a little baking soda) could help. This could help to neutralize some of the bites. Many insects have formic acid in their venom. Fire ants have an alkaloid in their venom. I would be cautious about mixing in any type of dog shampoo. Many shampoos have chemicals which are irritants (such as sodium lauryl sulphate) or chemicals which are toxic (such as perfumes, etc.). Following the bath mixed with apple cider vinegar and a little baking soda, an herbal bath could help. Possibly, you could even use the tea from something like Chamomile or Comfrey. Go mild and diluted. Something soothing. If baths are traumatic for your dog, it would be best to avoid this bathing route. You don't want to add to all the upset. Maybe a light dusting and brushing could help. Cornstarch may have some benefit. Watch to be sure that the bite does not become infected. This holds true for humans also. An enzyme bath would be wonderful, but most people don't have it in their cabinet at home. More on that later. Part of the process here with the bathing which could be very benefitial is all the touching and caressing of your dog. In fact, following the bath, a method to help your pet heal and regain communication with its body is as follows: Slowly and gently grasp or touch a paw letting your dog "know" that you have your hand there (that is, wait just a moment or two). Then let go. Do it with another paw, preferably on the other side of the body. In other words: hold and release the right front paw, hold and release the left front paw...then hold and release the back right paw, hold and release the back left paw. Do this type of routine on some of the joints of the legs, around both sides of the spine and head, etc. The objective is to put your dog in communication with its body and parts of the body. [By the way, this certainly assists a sick or injured or ailing human also.] Fire ants can be real trouble sometimes. I have heard of them killing pets and animals (or even sick, elderly people). Even getting close to a riled, boiling mound of disturbed fire ants and you might feel some of the venom sprayed around their area on your exposed skin. There is some data on this website about fire ants and potential remedies. Click on my name or do a search. You might also want to read about fertilizers (or atrazine), etc. because these have a role in inhibiting the microbes which are natural enemies to fire ants. The alkaloids of the venom in fire ants helps to protect them from certain fungi and bacteria. There are natural enemies to fire ants. Benefitial nematodes are an excellent supplement to any yard which doesn't use toxic chemicals and synthetic fertilizers. The nematodes will go after the larvae. Enzymes: A bath with a natural enzyme could help your dog. You can also use enzymes to help get rid of fire ants. There are other methods also. Here is one product: KLEEN FREE contains a natural enzyme (protease) that is effective in repelling and eliminating fire ants quickly and thoroughly. http://naturalginesis.com/id62.htm Also Steve Tvedten has some excellent information on approaching this naturally. Here is Steve's information from his website at http://www.safe2use.com/pests/scabies/scabies.htm Response to Gixxer: Gixxer, Let's get real on this. If badly bitten by Fire Ants, I suggested going to the vet...but if you live in fire ant country, you will find that you can get stung from time to time. It is unnecessary to go to the vet for a few fire ant stings. The bad rating is undeserved. Do you have any advice to offer on how to answer the question?

My vet recommended Benadryl for the antihistamine that will help with the itching and swelling. I have a 60 pound boxer and she said to give him 3 every 8 hours the cream would work also.

pee on him

BLEACH !!! Believe it or not it's an old southern remedy for fire ant bites is good old clorox bleach..just pour some on a sponge and apply to the bitten area...oh, and it works just as well on bee and wasps stings...

My jack russell got stung this evening on our walk. Two ants were stuck in her fur around her inner thigh and stung her over and over. I got her home and wiped down the area w/witch hazel ( I was out of tea tree oil ) then applied a natural salve ( Shotgun skin dressing ) that contains goldenseal root, chaparral leaf, Marshmallow root, chamomile, myrrh gum, echinacea root and flower,bloodroot, wild geranium, yerba manga root, almond oil, safflower oil, beeswax and vitamin E. I also gave her some Apis Mellifica for bites/stings/swelling, some Nux Vomica for any nausea/vomiting. Everything seems to have worked. She's resting peacefully and everything looks good.