Recognizing spider bites in cats
Some of the common signs and symptoms of a spider bite on a cat include:1
- Visible bite mark – This could appear as a small, red bump or welt on the skin.
- Swelling and inflammation around the bite.
- Pain or tenderness.
- Itching.
- Skin lesions, blisters, or ulcers.
- Abscess.
- Muscle pain, cramping, rigidity or weakness (with venomous bites).
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (with venomous bites).
- Tremors, agitation (with venomous bites).
Spider bites can occur anywhere on a cat’s body, but are often found on the head, neck, or legs. Bites from more venomous spiders like the brown recluse or black widow can result in severe reactions, while most common house spider bites may only cause mild symptoms.
First aid for spider bites:
If your cat has been bitten by a spider, it’s important to provide first aid while assessing the severity of the bite. Here are some steps you can take for spider bite first aid:
Clean the wound thoroughly with mild soap and water to help prevent infection. Gently wash around the bite area and pat dry with clean towel. According to the Mayo Clinic, cleaning the bite wound is an important first step (source).
Apply a cool, wet compress or an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the bite area for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. The National Center for Healthy Midwest recommends applying a cool cloth for 15 minutes each hour if possible (source).
Bandage the wound lightly with gauze to protect it. Look for signs of infection and change bandages periodically. Make sure not to wrap the bandage too tightly.
Monitor your cat closely over the next several hours for signs of reaction or distress. Watch for increased swelling, redness, pain, or changes in behavior.
Identifying the Spider
The first step in treating a spider bite on a cat is to try and identify the spider, if possible. This can help determine whether the bite came from a venomous spider or a relatively harmless one. Looking for the actual spider provides the most definitive identification.
Pay attention to physical attributes like body shape, leg length, patterns and coloring. For example, brown recluse spiders have a violin-shaped marking on their body while black widows have a distinctive red hourglass shape on their underside.
Also note the geographic location, as this can narrow down the possibilities of which spiders are native to the area. For instance, brown recluse spiders are predominantly found in midwestern and southern states while black widows are common in warmer areas like the southern U.S. Referencing resources with spider pictures and descriptions for your region can also aid identification.
If the spider can’t be located, identifying the bite wound and surrounding symptoms may provide clues to the type of spider responsible (cite: https://www.terminix.com/blog/home-garden/spiders-and-your-pets/). Still, finding and identifying the actual spider leads to the most accurate diagnosis.
Seeking veterinary care
If your cat has been bitten by a spider, it’s important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Signs that you should take your cat to the vet include:
- Swelling, redness, or tenderness around the bite
- Lethargy or weakness
- Fever
- Visible bite marks
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
At the veterinary clinic, the vet will examine your cat thoroughly and look for fang marks indicative of a spider bite. They may run tests such as a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, urinalysis and clotting tests to check for toxicity from venom https://vethelpdirect.com/au/pet-health-library/condition-cat-spider-bite/. Treatment may include cleaning the wound, antibiotics, pain medication, anti-venom, and supportive care with IV fluids and nutrition.
It’s crucial to get veterinary treatment rapidly, as some spider venom can quickly cause severe illness in cats. Immediate medical care gives your cat the greatest chance of making a full recovery.
At-home treatment
If the spider bite occurs at home, there are some first aid treatments you can provide before taking your cat to the vet. These include:
Pain medication
You can give your cat over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to help relieve pain and swelling. Be sure to give the proper dosage for your cat’s weight as indicated on the medication bottle. Never give your cat medications made for human consumption without first consulting your vet (Innovative Pest Solutions).
Cold compresses
Applying cold compresses to the bite area can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Wrap some ice cubes or a cold pack in a towel and hold it against the bite for 10-15 minutes at a time. Do this several times a day as needed for comfort (VCA Animal Hospitals).
Wound care
Gently clean the bite area with mild soap and water to prevent infection. You can also apply an over-the-counter antimicrobial ointment. Make sure not to break any blisters that may form, as this can cause further infection (Catster).
Preventing Infection
Keeping the wound clean is crucial for preventing infection after a spider bite. Gently flush the bite wound with warm water or an antiseptic solution like chlorhexidine to remove dirt and debris. Pat it dry with clean gauze or a towel and apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin. Keeping the wound covered with a light bandage will help keep it clean. Change the bandage daily or if it gets wet or dirty.
Watch for signs of infection like redness, swelling, pus, foul odor, and your cat seeming more bothered by the wound. You may need to take your cat to the vet for antibiotics if infection develops. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, “Wounds are treated with regular wound cleaning, cool compresses, and immobilization using bandages. Antibiotics may also be needed for infected bites.” Preventing infection will help your cat heal quickly after a spider bite.
Monitoring for toxicity
Spider venom contains toxic components that can cause severe reactions in cats. It’s important to monitor your cat closely for signs of toxicity after a spider bite.
With bites from spiders like the black widow, toxicity is referred to as latrodectism. According to PetMD, symptoms generally appear within 2 hours but can occur immediately or be delayed for several hours. Early symptoms include muscle rigidity, drooling, trembling, and sensitive skin around the bite site.
As toxicity progresses, cats may experience restlessness, vocalizing, dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, vomiting, difficulty breathing, weak pulse, collapse, and seizures. Without treatment, toxins can quickly lead to shock, coma, and death.
If you suspect latrodectism, rush your cat to the vet immediately. They’ll administer antivenom medication to counteract the toxins. Supportive care like IV fluids, oxygen therapy, and medication for pain and seizures may also be needed. Closely monitor vitals and watch for any progression of symptoms.
Prompt veterinary treatment is crucial for survival. But with aggressive care, most cats fully recover within 24-48 hours if brought in soon after the bite occurs.
Handling anxiety and stress
Spider bites can be extremely stressful and frightening for cats. After treatment for the bite, it’s important to focus on comforting your cat and reducing any anxiety. Maintaining their normal routine as much as possible can provide a sense of security and stability.
Try using synthetic feline facial pheromones like Feliway to help relax your cat after the trauma of a spider bite. Pheromone diffusers or sprays can be used around your home to reduce stress. Offer extra affection, brushing, and calming treats to help your cat feel relaxed.
Keep your cat’s regular feeding and play schedule as normal as possible. Cats feel most secure with routine. Make sure they have access to safe hiding spots and high perches in the home. Be patient, as your cat may need some time to recover emotionally from the stressful incident.
Monitor your cat for signs of continued anxiety like hiding, loss of appetite or overgrooming after the spider bite. Consult with your veterinarian if behavioral changes persist more than 2-3 days. Medication may help in severe cases of anxiety or phobias related to spiders after a bite.
Preventing Future Bites
To help prevent future spider bites, you can take steps to spider-proof your home and limit your cat’s exposure to spiders. Some tips include:
- Seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, pipes, vents etc. Spiders can sneak into the smallest spaces.
- Keep plants and shrubs trimmed back from the house. These areas can attract spiders.
- Clear clutter and debris from around the home, yard, garage etc. as spiders like hiding spots.
- Vacuum and dust regularly to remove spider webs inside.
- Use essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, citrus or eucalyptus to repel spiders. You can use sprays or diffuse the oils.
- Place sticky traps in corners or potential problem areas to catch wandering spiders.
- Keep your cat indoors, especially at dawn and dusk when spiders are most active.
- Supervise outdoor time in the yard and avoid letting your cat prowl under bushes or in wood/rock piles.
- Check your cat’s fur thoroughly for hitchhiking spiders if they’ve been outside.
Making your home and yard less inviting for spiders can help prevent bites. Limit your cat’s access to areas where spiders may hide or nest. Stay vigilant and check for spiders daily.
When to seek emergency care
You should seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your cat experiences severe symptoms after a spider bite, such as:
- Anaphylaxis – signs include swelling of the face/throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting, collapse. This is a life-threatening allergic reaction and requires immediate medical care (Source).
- Uncontrollable bleeding from the bite wound site – apply pressure and get to a vet right away.
- Rapid heart rate, panting and agitation – may indicate the bite contained a neurotoxin and is causing toxicity.
- Loss of muscle control or coordination – staggering, falling over, unable to walk properly.
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.
- Convulsions or seizures – a medical emergency.
If your cat experiences any of these severe reactions to a spider bite, do not wait – get emergency veterinary help right away, as delaying treatment can be fatal. Some spider venom contains powerful neurotoxins that can cause paralysis, coma and cardiac arrest if not treated promptly.