Wasp stings in cats
A cat chasing a fly or a butterfly is fun to see, but what if the fly turns out to be a wasp? A wasp is a lot less innocent than a fly. This blog will discuss everything you need to know about wasps and how to protect your cat.
When are wasps active?
Wasps love the sun, which is why they are most active in summer, specifically in August. August is the month in which young wasps fly out looking for delicious sweetness. A sweet-smelling perfume, a glass of lemonade and a refreshing fruit salad are like catnip to these horrid little buggers.
How to deter wasps?
As mentioned above, wasps like anything and everything sweet. Is your cat keeping you company in your garden or on your balcony? Keeping sweet goods far away from you would be the wise thing to do. Thankfully there are multiple ways to keep wasps away, like keeping a bowl with cloves, lemon or onions near you. Wasps don’t like the scent of these. You could also use a wasp trap or a spray.
Are wasp stings dangerous for cats?
Cats often chase wasps and therefore are often stung on their paws or in/near their mouth. The mouth is an especially dangerous place to be stung in, because swelling can cause trouble breathing. Some cats even accidentally eat the wasp, with devastating consequences. A wasp can sting your cat multiple times before losing its stinger. If you think your cat ate a wasp, call your vet immediately!
What to do in case of a wasp sting?
There are several ways in which you can help if your cat was stung by a wasp. Follow the steps listed below:
- Step 1: check for stinger
Depending on where your cat was stung, it’s wise to check for the stinger. Is it still there? Remove it by scraping the skin with a bank card or the back of a blunt knife. Do not use tweezers! Using tweezers can cause more toxins to go into the skin, exacerbating redness and swelling.
- Step 2: cool the skin
Redness and swelling appear within the first few minutes. A cooling element wrapped in a tea towel or an ice cube are easy tools to cool the skin with, minimising redness and swelling of the skin.
- Step 3: observe
Unfortunately it’s impossible to know beforehand to know whether your cat is allergic to wasp stings beforehand. It’s detrimental to keep a close eye on your cat. Does the swelling exacerbate or does your cat get other symptoms (drooling or vomiting), don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
- Step 4: taking care of the skin
Supporting the skin for a couple days after the stinging may be beneficial. Hilton Herbs Virex Cream is a soothing and cooling ointment that can be used for this.
When should you see a vet?
Was your cat stung in or around the mouth, the nose or the eyes? You should contact your vet. Swelling can cause difficulty breathing, which is dangerous and uncomfortable. Are you unsure about where your cat was stung or does he or she have a big reaction to the sting? Always contact your own vet!
Do you have any question about wasp stings in cats after reading this article? Contact our veterinary team at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
