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When a cat is stung by a bee, this is an emergency situation in which the animal needs veterinary care. If he develops an allergy to the lesion, this can lead to serious health problems and even the death of the pet. In this case, the owner needs to act quickly, clearly, and competently.
How does bee venom affect cats?
Active, playful animals, cats, often become victims of insects when they are hunted. This mainly occurs in the summer in rural areas. A city cat can also be bitten by a bee that accidentally flies into the room.
Bee venom affects a cat's body in the same way as it does a human. In this case, the animal experiences severe pain at the site of the bite. Subsequently, the painful sensations are replaced by unbearable itching.
Hives or acute pain in themselves do not pose a danger to the life of a cat that has been stung by a bee. An allergic reaction that subsequently develops is dangerous. A slight swelling at the site of the bite goes away on its own within a day.If swelling develops and does not subside, then the cat needs emergency veterinary care. Especially if the allergic reaction progresses in the nose or throat area, the animal may suffocate.
What symptoms do animals exhibit after a bite?
If a cat was bitten by a bee, and the owner did not see it, damage from insect venom can be determined by the corresponding signs.
Symptoms of bee infestation:
- severe swelling at the site of the bite;
- hard breath;
- profuse drooling;
- vomit;
- convulsions;
- temperature.
How cats stung by bees behave
If a cat is stung by a bee, you can observe a change in his behavior. It shakes its head or paw, depending on where the sting is stuck. Upon careful examination, you can see severe swelling, which will grow over time. After an insect bite, you can see a sting in the wound. The cat will begin to breathe heavily and then vomit. The animal will try to reach the bite site with its paw or crawl out.
Why is a bee sting dangerous for cats?
Dangerous places for bee infestation in cats:
- nose;
- larynx;
- groin;
- eyes.
How does an allergy to bee stings manifest in cats?
Allergies in cats to bee stings occur with varying degrees of severity. In total, there are 3 types of allergic reactions based on intensity:
- Moderate reaction causes lethargy, the temperature rises, the cat refuses food.At this stage, no treatment is required; the animal’s body will cope with the bee venom on its own.
- Average degree manifested by swelling at the site of the lesion, blisters appear, the skin around the eyes and neck swells, unbearable itching (urticaria) appears, which can become acute and threatens the life of the animal.
- Anaphylactic shock – a strong reaction to an insect bite, which develops within a few minutes, threatens the death of the cat. In this case, urgent veterinary care and intravenous administration of antihistamines are necessary.
What to do if a cat is bitten by a bee
First of all, after the defeat, the cat that has been bitten by a bee is brought into the room and placed in a cool place. After 5-10 minutes, it is necessary to examine the animal and find the location of the lesion. If there is a sting in the wound, it is carefully removed using tweezers.
A cat was bitten on the paw by a bee: what to do?
Ice is applied to the bitten area after wrapping it in a towel. The cold should be kept for about half an hour. This manipulation will help relieve swelling. Afterwards, the damaged area is lubricated with a solution of 9% vinegar diluted with water 1:1. The procedure is repeated several times a day.
First aid for a bite on the nose
This injury can make it difficult for your pet to breathe. Therefore, after applying cold to the bite site and washing it with vinegar or soapy water, the animal is given corticosteroids - hormonal anti-inflammatory substances.
You can give your cat the drug Apis, which can support the cat’s body after the sting is removed and relieve swelling. Owners of allergic cats who have been bitten by a bee should always keep this product on hand.
If the condition worsens, you may need an injection with antihistamines: Diazolin, Dexamethasone, Suprastin. A veterinarian should be consulted regarding each medication. If you can’t get to the nearest veterinary hospital, you can discuss taking medications with a doctor over the phone.
Photos of cats stung by bees
In the photo you can see how swelling develops in cats bitten by bees.
The muzzle at the site of the lesion swells, the eye closes.
Getting a sting in the face or cheek can also lead to serious swelling:
A lesion in the throat threatens swelling of the larynx and respiratory arrest in the animal:
If an insect bites the paw, there are no serious consequences, but it requires treatment:
An untreated paw can hurt for a long time, the animal will be immobilized:
The most dangerous bee stings are in the eye area. They are fraught with loss of vision.
The photo shows how swelling develops in cats stung by bees. All these conditions require correction by a specialist.
When should you contact a veterinarian?
If your cat's condition worsens after being bitten by an insect, seek help from a veterinarian. Difficulty breathing, vomiting, convulsions, increased swelling - these are signs that the cat needs to be taken to a veterinary clinic urgently.
If a bee has bitten a small kitten, immediately contact a doctor. You cannot treat a young cat at home. Bee venom is too dangerous for a small animal.
If a cat has been stung by more than one bee, it is necessary to immediately provide first aid, relieve the pain and immediately take it to the veterinarian.
How to protect your pets
In summer, it is necessary to protect your cat from bites of various types of insects. It will not be possible to completely protect your pet from the environment, so you should make his stay in nature less dangerous.
Prevention measures:
- It is necessary to install mosquito nets on windows indoors, especially outside the city.
- It is necessary to clean the garden plot and destroy wasp and bee nests.
- The cat should be fed and watered only indoors, not outdoors. This way, the risk of swallowing a dangerous insect with food can be minimized.
- Before going outside, the cat is treated with repellents, which makes it possible to protect his stay on the street for several hours.
Conclusion
If a cat is bitten by a bee, the swelling should be immediately relieved with cold or medications. Bites on the face, as a rule, are fraught with difficulty breathing and the inability to eat and drink. If the condition worsens, when the swelling cannot be removed using traditional methods, immediate assistance from a specialist is necessary.
