Cats

What Is Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Cats? Cats are very curious creatures, and sometimes that curiosity can get them into trouble—like disturbing a spider and eliciting a toxic bite that could have been avoided. Black widow spiders are notorious arachnids that are known for the highly venomous toxin they release when they bite. Venom from a black widow spider contains a highly potent neurotoxin that causes a release of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine and norepinephrine) that affect muscles, nerves, and other parts of the body. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, a female black widow spider bite is 10-15 times more powerful than rattlesnake venom. While dogs can have some resistance to this toxin, cats are smaller and thus highly susceptible, and they can experience severe symptoms very rapidly. Black widow spider bites are often fatal for cats.   While the bite itself is painful, it’s often hard to locate. Mild redness might be seen, but local tissue damage will not be present as it is with most other venomous bites, like brown recluse spider bites. If you know or suspect that your cat has encountered a black widow spider, take them to their veterinarian or a veterinary emergency room as soon as possible, as this is a medical emergency. Symptoms of Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Cats Symptoms of black widow spider bite poisoning will present very quickly and will progress rapidly. Clinical signs usually begin within a few hours, peaking at 24 hours post-bite. These symptoms can last for weeks and include: Muscle rigidity Muscle tremors Severe pain (often displayed as howling and vocalizing loudly) Spastic or uncoordinated movements (ataxia) Difficulty or not being able to stand or walk Restlessness, agitation   Paralysis Seizures Trouble breathing or not breathing/respiratory failure (due to abdominal muscle paralysis) Blood pressure effects Drooling, excessive salivation Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia Death Causes of Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Cats Black widow spiders are not aggressive and will only bite when provoked. Cats will often get bitten by a black widow spider if they disrupt their nest or disturb them. Our kitties can encounter these spiders both indoors and outdoors, as black widows will make a home and a nest just about anywhere. While black widow spiders are the most venomous spiders in North America, they can control how much venom they release during a bite—and, occasionally, their bites will not release any venom at all. But there’s no way to know how much venom was released, so a bite is always a medical emergency. Black widow spider venom is also present throughout their body, including in their eggs. This means that, along with being bitten, cats can be poisoned by eating a black widow or their eggs. All cats are susceptible to black widow poisoning, but young and old cats have an increased risk of serious complications because their immune systems are less efficient. Cats that have a medical history of high blood pressure are at an increased risk for fatality. What Does a Black Widow Look Like? Photo credit: iStock/StevenTrauger Female black widow spiders are significantly larger than males, often twice their size. Adult female black widows are black and shiny and have a red-orange hourglass marking on their underside. Immature females are brown and might not have the hourglass marking yet—though it gets darker with age, they are still just as poisonous. Male black widows do not have the hourglass marking and are generally considered nontoxic due to their small fangs/bite. My Cat Was Bitten by a Black Widow. Now What? If your cat was bitten (or you suspect they were bitten) by a black widow spider, they should be taken immediately to the closest veterinary clinic or veterinary emergency room. This is a life-threatening emergency, and you can’t delay getting your pet treatment. Do not spend anytime cleaning or disinfecting the skin where the bite took place, as this will not change the outcome. How Veterinarians Diagnose Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Cats Spider bites in cats are primarily diagnosed based on displayed clinical signs. Your veterinarian will perform a physical and neurologic examination as well as blood and urine testing. Black widow spiders can, but do not always, cause some abnormalities on your cat’s bloodwork, thus it’s important to have a blood sample taken by your vet for analysis. The only way to definitively diagnose a black widow spider bite would be if the spider is collected and identified, but this rarely is done. It’s never advised for anyone to handle a black widow spider, so do not try to catch it. If your cat vomits up a dead black widow spider, collect the spider (while wearing gloves!) and bring it to your veterinarian for identification.         Treating Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Cats If your cat has been bitten or has ingested a black widow spider, they should be hospitalized for aggressive treatment. Rapid treatment with antivenom should be initiated right away, preferably within 24 hours. Antivenom works to deactivate or neutralize the toxin in the body to help prevent any further harm from the black widow’s neurotoxin. Most cats will also need IV fluids, pain medications, oxygen therapy, muscle relaxers, anti-seizure medications, anti-nausea medications, and/or other symptomatic supportive care. Recovery and Management of Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Cats Paralysis, muscle weakness, and pain can last weeks to months after treatment is started. Medications often need to be continued at home if the cat survives the bite and is discharged from the hospital. Because they are highly susceptible to black widow spider venom, the prognosis is often poor for cats. However, they may recover if they receive immediate veterinary care after the bite. If black widow spiders are common in your area, ensure that dark places in your home are free from spider webs. Wearing gloves and using a stick to poke into holes is always recommended. A professional exterminator is also recommended to help prevent your cat from getting bitten by a black widow spider. Featured Image: iStock/piranka

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Yes, cats can get depressed. According to Dr. Carlos Siracusa, DVM, ACVB, director of Ryan Hospital’s Companion Animal Behavior Medicine Service and associate professor of clinical behavior medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, there’s no clinical feline depression diagnosis that’s equivalent to human depression outlined in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). But cats can be depressed in that they can appear subdued and reluctant to engage in social interactions.,Jump to section Can Cats Get Depression? Signs of a Depressed Cat Cat Depression Causes How to Cheer Up a Depressed Cat When to Go to the Vet FAQs about Cat Depression

In moderation, strawberries make a “fun, perfectly acceptable treat” for cats, says small animal vet, Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ based in Silverthorne, Colorado, adding, “as long as they like them and they don’t cause problems. Here’s a look at the health benefits of strawberries: Strawberries are a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (vitamin C, folate, manganese, potassium and polyphenols). Strawberries have less sugar than many other fruits, making them a better snack, says Dr. Wooten. For comparison, strawberries have 7 grams of sugar per cup, while mangoes have 23 grams of sugar per cup and watermelon has about 10 grams of sugar per cup. Strawberries are hydrating, with a 91 percent water content. They should never, however, replace water.,Jump to section Benefits of Strawberries for Cats Downsides of Strawberries for Cats How to Feed Strawberries to Cats Cat-Friendly Recipe with Strawberries FAQs About Cats and Strawberries

WRITTEN BYJennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary…,Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormonal disease that affects cats. It’s almost always caused by a non-cancerous overgrowth of thyroid tissue, which leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormone. The important thing to know is that hyperthyroidism is not a death sentence! Most hyperthyroid cats do very well and can live another 5 years or more when they receive appropriate treatment. However, some cats continue to have health problems or even develop new ones as time goes on. Monitoring the quality of life for a cat with hyperthyroidism is very important, so you’ll know when to talk to your veterinarian about additional treatment or euthanasia. What Is the Life Expectancy of a Cat With Hyperthyroidism? After diagnosis, a cat’s life expectancy depends on many factors. One study found that cats who were treated with methimazole followed by radioactive iodine (I-131) typically lived for another 5.3 years. This is impressive, considering that cats who develop hyperthyroidism are usually 12-13 years old at the time of diagnosis. The reason cats can live long and happy lives after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is in part due to several good treatment options: Anti-thyroid medications—Methimazole interferes with the production of thyroid hormone. The right dose will usually bring a cat’s thyroid hormone levels back to normal. This drug is designed to be given orally, but it can be reformulated into a gel that is absorbed through the skin of a cat’s ears. Many pet parents find it easier to rub gel on their cat’s ears than try to give them pills every day. Low-iodine cat food—Cats need iodine to make thyroid hormone. Feeding a cat a therapeutic food that has very low iodine levels is an easy way to manage hyperthyroidism. I-131 therapy—Radioactive iodine (I-131) given by injection kills off abnormal thyroid tissue. I-131 therapy can cure a cat of hyperthyroidism. Your cat will spend a few days in the hospital, and you’ll be given instructions on how to safely care for them and handle their litter and litter box while they continue recovering at home. The surgical removal of abnormal thyroid tissue used to be a popular form of treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats, but I-131 therapy has largely replaced it because it is safer and more effective.

A litter box is a necessary accessory to any home with a cat. Just because you have one (or many) feline-reliving stations positioned around your home, however, doesn’t mean that they have to be an eye sore. We spoke to several cat experts and interior decorators to get the scoop (pun intended) on how to spruce up your cat’s litter box area so that it doesn’t clash with your home décor.

Reduce Conflict Between Your Cats Conflicts between multiple cats or the introducing a new cat may cause inappropriate urination. If your cats got into an altercation in or near the litter box, they may choose to avoid the box rather than take the chance that another fight will happen if they use it. Separate your cats for a while to let the tensions fade, and then try gradually reintroducing them. One cat may also be guarding the litter box. Make sure you have several litter boxes spaced out throughout your house so one cat can’t prevent access to all the boxes at the same time. You may also consider an uncovered litter box so that your cat is always aware of their surroundings. This will help make them feel safer and less anxious.,While it’s understandably upsetting to find cat pee around the house, cats aren’t being bad when they “go” outside the box. They are simply behaving in a way that addresses their needs at the time. There are numerous reasons why a cat might pee outside the litter box, including health issues, anxiety, or bullying from other pets in the home that needs to be addressed. With a little investigation (and possibly a trip to the vet’s office), you should be able to determine what needs to be done to stop your cat’s inappropriate urination. Here are the top 10 ways to stop your cat from peeing outside the cat litter box. Consult Your Veterinarian If your cat has started to pee outside the box, the most important thing you can do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. Urinary tract infection, hyperthyroidism, feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), bladder crystals or stones, arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease are just some of the common health issues that can make cats urinate outside of their litter box. Your veterinarian will ask you questions about the issue and when it started, then they will perform a physical exam, urinalysis, and perhaps some other diagnostic tests to determine if the problem is medical rather than behavioral. If your cat is given a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can then help you address environmental or behavioral issues that may be playing a role.

As the rest of your cat ages, so do her eyes and she starts to require more cat eye care. With many cats now living into their upper teens and early twenties, old age eye problems may become evident in many felines. Yet, other cats never have an eye problem. My beloved cat Samantha, who lived to at least 22 (she was a young adult when I got her so I am not 100 percent sure of her age) never had any eye problems. Signs of an eye problem in your senior cat may vary. Cats have a very mobile third eyelid. This is a whitish tissue that sweeps across the eye from the inner corner — much like a windshield wiper. The appearance of the third eyelid may indicate irritation to the cornea or simply a sick cat. Other reasons for concern are sudden tearing, squinting, increased blinking or even holding an eye shut. Eye problems can go from minor to severe quickly, so don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you suspect an eye problem in your cat.

If your cat is suddenly having more accidents or trips to the litter box, it could be a sign of cat diarrhea. Occasional bouts are normal, including in kittens and senior cats, but if it lasts more than a day or comes with symptoms like vomiting or not eating, call your vet.  To help you figure out what’s going on, we asked vets to break down the common causes of cat diarrhea, what you can do at home, and when it’s time to seek professional care. 

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