Do this immediately if your cat has been stung by a wasp or bee

With the arrival of spring, outdoor cats are increasingly threatened by wasp and bee stings. As predators and the world's most curious creatures, they have a particularly high chance of encountering these insects.

If the kitty is not allergic to the venom of these insects and has only suffered 1-2 bites, it is likely there is no big danger. However, first aid is important and is definitely needed at home to minimize pain. However, if the animal starts behaving strangely, or if it has been bitten all over its body, you must immediately take it to the doctor! Let’s see what else should you know about a bee or wasp sting when it comes to your cat.

Bee sting or wasp sting?

If you notice that your pet has been bitten by something while playing outside (paws, chews, licks a part of the body, jumps up, makes a sound), you must first try to identify the attacker.

If it was stung by a bee, the stinger is most likely still in the cat’s body. This is problematic because the venom sac on the stinger continues to inject the venom into the skin. Try to remove it without squeezing more toxins out of it. Wasps have a retractable stinger, so you don’t have to worry about removing it.

Here’s how to ease the pain

In the case of the bee and the wasp, there is another very important difference. While the poison of the former is acidic, that of the latter is alkaline. We can neutralize them with something else. For bee stings, prepare a solution using baking soda and water, with which to wash the sting thoroughly! In case of a wasp sting, vinegar water will help. If you could not identify the attacker, simply wash the area with cold water.

Of course, these are only symptomatic treatments, since the poison is already in the bloodstream, but they can relieve the pain a lot. If the affected area is close to the eyes, don’t force the home practices! In this case, it is wiser to ask your veterinarian for a medicine.

Use an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel to reduce swelling, but be careful not to injure the kitty! Do not let the animal run away, especially if it is the first time it has been stung. It is necessary to calm the cat down and monitor its breathing. It is also worth looking into its mouth several times, looking for swelling.

If the problem is serious

The allergic reaction usually appears 20 minutes after the bite, but it can take up to hours. If you experience rapid breathing, hives appearing on hairless areas, large swelling, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or cramps, go to the doctor immediately! It can even cost the cat’s life if it doesn’t get the antihistamine in time!

Swollen paw and face:

The cat may need to spend 1-2 days in the hospital to fully recover and they will do the appropriate tests to see if there is any damage to its internal organs. If the allergy is severe in your pet’s case, the doctor will probably also prescribe an Epipen injection for the immediate, at-home treatment of possible future stings.