Most cats aren’t hypersensitive to bee stings, so while the sting may be painful and uncomfortable, it should have no longer-term effects. However, just one sting can cause anaphylactic shock if your cat is allergic so beware of the signs.
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Bee stings and cats don’t make for a contented, healthy cat. If a wasp or bee manages to get inside the house, even indoor cats are vulnerable to such an unfortunate event. A cat’s natural curiosity and predatory tendencies will probably cause her to charge at the intruder, and the cat will probably sting its attacker in return. The consequences of your cat’s hypersensitivity to the toxins released by a sting could be far more dangerous than just a swollen paw. This is all the information you need to treat a cat from a bee sting.
Stings Can Be Dangerous
While the majority of cats arent hypersensitive to the venom found in bee or wasp stings, if your kitty falls into the minority of cats that are allergic, getting stung could make her seriously ill or go into anaphylactic shock. This could result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure that could be fatal. As such, any sign of an extreme reaction must receive veterinary treatment right away.
It’s best to call a veterinarian as soon as you notice a sting in your cat because you can never be sure if they will have an extreme reaction. The veterinarian may ask you to bring your cat in for safety. If not, your veterinarian can provide you with advice on at-home treatments.
Most of the time, a cat will react locally, causing slight swelling and soreness where the sting occurred. Because the cat likes to bat her prey around, this usually happens on the face, usually near the nose, or on a paw. Verify whether the stinger is still embedded in the wound. When a bee stings, its barbed stingers separate from its body and become embedded in the skin. However, wasps do not remove their stingers, which allows them to sting their victims more than once and pose a greater risk to your pet.
Severe pain, redness, and swelling could be precursors to an extreme reaction. Your cat may exhibit pain symptoms like lameness or limping, vocalizations of distress, or excessive licking at the sting site. The following are indications that your cat is in anaphylactic shock:
- Breaking out in hives
- Disorientation or stumbling
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Pale gums
- Low body temperature and cold limbs
- A heart rate thats either too slow or too fast
Other signs to watch for, according to the Animal Hospital of North Asheville, include shallow or rapid breathing, drooling, changes in behavior, mood or mental function and collapse. Any of these signs are your cue to take your cat to an emergency vet as quickly as possible.
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