How to Treat Spider Bites in Dogs and Cats

If your pet starts to innocently explore outdoors--as in, put his nose where it may not belong--he may end up with a spider bite. The two main types of spiders to watch out for are: the black widow and brown recluse. Both of these spiders bite, and release venom when they do. Pets are commonly bit by the black widow (identified by their red hourglass-shaped marking) when they invade their nests. Although black widow bites are rarely fatal, smaller pets may have a more severe reaction, which can turn out to be fatal if not treated properly. Brown recluse spiders (recognized by the fiddle-shaped mark on their back) tend to hang out in dark, secluded areas and bite when they feel their space is invaded. Pets usually recover well from brown recluse bites, although a full recovery make take several weeks. Here are the steps for treating both of these types of spider bites.

Instructions

How to Treat a Black Widow Bite

1. Keep your pet as calm and quiet as possible to slow down the venom from spreading. If the bite was on a limb, make sure to keep the limb lower than your pet's heart level.

2. Give your pet 1 mg. of Benadryl per pound of body weight after checking with your pet's vet to make sure it's OK. This will help reduce swelling, inflammation and itching.

3. Apply a cold or ice pack to the area to reduce swelling. A bag of frozen vegetables will work also.

4. Schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. If you notice any unusual redness or swelling, or your pet has difficulty breathing or moving (paralysis), get her to a vet or animal emergency clinic immediately.

How to Treat a Brown Recluse Bite

1. Most pets won't realize they were bitten by a brown recluse, but look for redness to appear after a while.

2. Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine or povidone iodine.

3. If your pet develops a rash, fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea or appears lethargic, seek veterinary attention immediately. If the wound becomes larger or there is constant drainage, it is also a good idea to seek veterinary care.

Tips & Warnings

• Signs of a black widow bite occur immediately.

• There is a black widow antivenin available at hospitals for humans that can be also be used to treat pets, but always consult with a veterinarian before administering this type of treatment to your pet.

• There is a variety of topical treatments that you can apply to the bite area including antibiotic ointment and natural remedies that will prevent infection and aid in healing.

• Smaller pets may have more severe reactions to black widow venom due to their size, and cats normally have a more severe reaction than dogs.

• Pets with shorter or thinner fur are more prone to spider bites and scorpion stings.

• Do not place a tourniquet above or over a spider bite, as it will cut off circulation. With a black widow bite it will not stop the venom from spreading and with a brown recluse bite the venom normally stays in one place, anyway.

• If a brown recluse bite wound doesn't heal, surgery may be required to remove the skin from around the affected area.