Pets, Stings and Bites: Scorpions and Spiders

Sarah Morgan

Last week I was reading in bed, and one of my kitties, Muffin, was playing with a cricket by the bedroom door.  Since Muffin and Lucy often play with (and snack on) the bugs that come into the house I wasn't too worried.  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed something running across the floor, it was a scorpion.  Of course Muffin immediately runs over to it, I run over, pick her up and throw her on the bed, cover the scorpion with a glass and run to get my insect book.  Since we recently moved to the area, I wasn't sure what scorpions lived here, and which ones were the harmful ones.  Well, after checking the book, it wasn't the deadly type (which is small [0.75 inch], almost clear, and only lives in Southern Arizona and Mexico), but one of the other types.  Unfortunately, these non-deadly scorpions can still cause significant discomfort in humans, so I wondered would happen if one stung my little cat, or my friend's dog.  

Pets, like humans, are often bitten or stung by insects.  Most bites and stings result only in mild symptoms such as redness and swelling around the bite location. The area should be cleaned with soap and water.  If the stinger is still in the bite site (as may happen with honey bee stings), it should be removed with tweezers.  A paste made from baking soda and water, calamine lotion, and ice packs can be used on the wound to reduce the pain and swelling.  

Pets may also have allergic reactions, like swelling, to insect bites or stings.  Benedryl (diphenhydramine) is often given for mild allergic reactions.  The liquid form used for children is easiest to use.  Use the dose on the package based on the weight of the animal.  Use care not to give a combination medicine such as a cold or sinus medicine as they may contain medications harmful to some animals,  Swelling, especially in the face or neck, can be serious if it interferes with the animal's breathing or swallowing.  Emergency veterinary care is essential in this case. 

Over the counter pain medications should not be given without approval from your vet.  Certain human medicines, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be poisonous to some animals.  If you pet needs pain control, see your vet!

 Scorpions come out and night and are seen most often in the summer.  Fortunately, most scorpions in the 4-Corners area have mild venom. This venom can cause pain in the area around the bite, but does not cause serious illness or death.  First aid consists mainly of identifying the type of scorpion and wound care as above.  Your vet or local poison information line can assist with identification.  If your pet has symptoms other than local pain or redness and swelling, you should contact your vet.  Also note that windscorpions (which look like a cross between a scorpion without the tail and a Jerusalem cricket) are not poisonous, and cannot sting or bite.

 There are 2 types of venomous spiders in our area:  the black widow and the brown recluse.  Either of these may cause problems if it bites you or your pet.  Black widow spiders are shiny black with a red mark on the abdomen. They are often found in  wood piles or around outhouses.   The venom of the black widow causes intense pain and cramping in large muscles groups.  The muscles may become stiff (rigid) or may be very weak to paralyzed.  The animal may have trouble breathing or have seizures.    Cats are extremely sensitive to black widow venom and often show signs of severe pain, drooling, restlessness, and early paralysis. Death is common in cats   Pets bitten by a black widow should be seen by a veterinarian.  There is an antivenin available that may be used in severe cases. 

The other venomous spider in the US is the brown recluse.  These small brown (surprise!) spiders have a small "fiddle shaped" mark on their back and have a painless bite that can cause a large area of tissue damage. The classic "bull's eye" lesion has a dark center surrounded by red and white rings and is not usually seen for 1-2 days. These lesions may grow into large open ulcers (sores) that heal slowly and can leave large scars.   In some cases, generalized symptoms such as of fever, joint pain, weakness, vomiting, seizures and bleeding can occur.  Brown recluse spider bites are rarely fatal.  If you suspect a brown recluse bite, see your vet. 

There are 2 general types of poisonous snakes in the US, Pit vipers and coral snakes.  Pit vipers include rattlesnakes of all types, the cottonmouth, and the copperhead  and are found throughout the US.   Pit vipers are called such because of 2 heat sensing organs found on the face know as "pits".  These snakes have triangular shaped heads and vertical pupils.  All Pit vipers have poisonous venom that is injected through 2 fangs.  Similar appearing snakes that are not poisonous have no pits, rounder heads, round pupil and do not have fangs.  All Pit viper bites, however, do not result in venom injection.  Some are "dry" bites in which there is no venom injected by the snake.  Pit viper venom may vary in its potency depending on the type and size of the snake, the time of the year and whether the snake has recently used it's venom. 

.  Finding 1 or more fang marks that may ooze blood or fluid is highly suggestive of a pit viper bite.  Cats and dogs are most commonly bitten on the face or front paws.  Early signs of venom toxicity may include bruising, swelling and pain around the site of the bite. This may spread rapidly toward the animal's trunk.   Smaller animals are more likely to have a more severe or fatal reaction to a pit viper bite.  All animals bitten by one of these snakes should be seen by the vet as soon as possible.  Two types of antivenin are available, but must be used only by a veterinarian.  

Coral snakes are found in Arizona (the Arizona Sonora coral snake which is very toxic) and in Florida (the Easter coral snake which is less toxic).  Coral snakes are very striking with colored red, yellow and black bands.  There are non- poisonous snakes that look very similar to coral snakes.  A helpful rhyme to remember is "Red on yellow; kill a fellow.  Red on black; venom lack".  Coral snakes do not have fangs like pit vipers and must chew their victim to inject the venom.  There should not be fang marks, but rather a row or vows of teeth marks.  Coral snake venom often does not  cause bruising or swelling .  This venom ha a powerful neurotoxin which affects the brain, nerves and muscles.  Weakness, stumbling, drooling, seizures and coma can result.  All pets suspected to be bitten by a coral snake should be seen by a vet as soon as possible even if they seem to be fine.  Antivenin is available for some coral snake types. 

First aid for snakebites includes keeping the animal as calm and still as possible while rapidly getting to the vet.  If it possible to do so safely and quickly, identify the snake type involved.  Incision (cutting) the bite wounds does more harm to the animal and attempting to suck the venom from a bite by mouth could poison the rescuer. Tourniquets should never be applied except under direct veterinary guidance.  Ice should not be directly applied as freezing will increase damage to tissues. 

The Gila monster is a poisonous lizard found in Arizona.  These lizards are known for their tenacious bite and hold tactic.  Like coral snakes, these lizards must bite and chew to inject their venom, which causes intense local pain.  Pets are most often bitten on the face and may have the lizard still attached. If the lizard is not attached, these bites may be recognized by multiple bite marks from chewing.  Swelling and intense pain at the bite site are common.  First aid includes removing the lizard if attached and cleaning the wound.  Place a strong stick between the bitten part and the back of the lizard's mouth and pushing against the rear of the jaw. If this doesn't work, emersion in water may make it release its hold.   A veterinarian should see all Gila monster bites because teeth are often broken off into the wound that must be removed to avoid infection   Pain medicine is often needed for these bites.  Some pets may have a more severe generalized reaction often involving low blood pressure.  This is usually treated with IV fluids.  Deaths from Gila Monster bites are rare.