Bites, stings and more - the insect factor

From the Pet Health Library

I'm trying not to look at the image PurinaCare® has attached to this article...because it's a nasty looking spider. I'm not as skittish about spiders as I once was, but I still find them creepy and I get Tom to deal with them when I find them in the house. Hence, the image offered is much nicer - it's a puppy and his best friend. An inquisitive puppy - just the kind that will get in the kind of trouble described here.

We all know the drill: "Spiders, bees, and insects would prefer to be left alone. They usually do not seek out people and pets to bite and sting. People do their best to avoid confrontation with these creatures, as well, however, our dogs' and cats' curiosity often causes standoffs with stinging and biting fliers and crawlers."

Let's just say it outright - many dogs and cats go after the flies, bees, spiders, etc. I mean, really go after them. Brave creatures that they are!

It's up to us, the pet parents, to avert possible disaster. As the article says, "...the consequence of a sting or bite from a spider or insect can be mildly annoying to certainly life threatening. Bees and wasps have stingers that inject venom into the skin as a self-defense mechanism. The venom is irritating to local tissue, causing swelling and itching, and in large quantities can cause systemic reactions."

Imagine your dog or cat unwittingly coming upon a red ant hill - or a bee's nest. The attack of hundreds of these insects could spell disaster. A quick visit to the emergency clinic is a good idea. Better to be safe than sorry, I say.

The article has some critical information for you, so I recommend reading it. But, there is one area I'd like to report on - beyond the anaphylaxis (systemic shock in response to toxins), and that's the part about spiders like the black widow.

"Black widow spiders," they write, "can cause central nervous system toxicity. Muscel tremors and even paralysis can be caused by the bite of a black widow spider. The biggest concern is paralysis of the respiratory muscles, leading to death by suffocation. Steriod injections and muscle relaxers are used to prevent this dire consequence. Antivenin is available, although it is usually hard to find in a short period of time, and it is typically so expensive as to be cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, dogs almost always survive black widow bites with supportive therapy from a veterinarian."

A couple of things to look for: a swollen muzzle, swollen paws (from stepping on a biting insect), and with brown recluse spiders, the tissue around the bite or sting may die and slough off. In this case, antibiotics and topicals are used to prevent secondary bacterial infection that may increase the amount of eroded tissue and scarring.

Again, we bring this information to help you be informed, and to remind you that summer is fun and frolic time, but it can also bring trouble. Being aware, and alert, is your best defense, whether at the park or in your own backyard.