Page 79 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Stings and bites

Cats are naturally inquisitive, and occasionally their curiosity about
other creatures can lead them into trouble. If your cat incurs an insect
sting or venomous bite, the treatment will depend on the culprit.

Bee or wasp stings
If your cat has been stung, move
him away from any other bees or
wasps to avoid further stings.
Call the vet for advice, and take
the cat in if he develops breathing
difficulties or becomes unsteady
on his feet. If your cat goes into
shock (see p.75), take him to the
vet immediately.
Otherwise, try to remove a bee 77
sting with tweezers as soon as
possible. Grasp it where it meets
the cat’s skin and take care not to
grasp the tiny sac at the top, or you
might squeeze out more venom.
For a bee sting, bathe the area with Stings and bites
baking soda mixed in warm water.
A wasp sting should be bathed
with vinegar diluted in water.
Apply an ice pack (such as a bag of
frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) to
reduce inflammation.
Mosquito and gnat bites
Most cats will suffer only minor
irritation from small biting insects,
such as mosquitoes and gnats.
However, there are some cats that
may suffer a severe allergic
reaction (see p.75) to mosquitoes. between countries. In the US, △ Inquisitive hunter
If your cat is hypersensitive to venomous snakes include the Cats often enjoy hunting insects, snakes, and
other small animals in play, but venomous or
mosquito bites, it is best to prevent rattlesnakes, copperheads, toxic animals can cause pain and sometimes
exposure to these flying insects cottonmouths, and coral snakes. serious physical effects.
by keeping the cat indoors at Venomous bites are rare, but can
dawn and dusk. cause serious swelling, nausea, If your cat has been affected by any
vomiting, and dizziness; your cat venomous animal, call the vet at
Venomous animals may lick the area, and you may see once and say what kind of animal
Cats may be bitten by other cats two puncture wounds in the skin. was involved (or take a photo if you
(see pp.50–1), but bites from Some toad species secrete toxins can) so that the vet can obtain the
venomous animals can be more onto their skin, which can cause correct antivenom. You need to
serious. Dangers from snakes, inflammation in a cat's mouth take the cat to the veterinary
toads, scorpions, and spiders vary and perhaps retching. hospital as soon as you can.

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