Bee stings are a danger for both outdoor and indoor cats. Cats are wired to be curious and predators; hence they are compelled to interact with bees. In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will explain what to do in case your cat earns a bee sting.
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Content:
- How Do I Know if My Cat Got Stung by a Bee
- What to Do if Your Cat Gets Stung by a Bee
- FAQs
- Conclusion
How Do I Know if My Cat Got Stung by a Bee
You can know if your cat got stung by a bee based on clinical signs, such as:
- Increased vocalization, such as crying and yowling
- Nibbling, scratching, or licking at the stung site
- Local swelling (hard to notice in Persians and other long-coated breeds)
- Limping (if the sting occurred on the paws)
- Tearing and ocular discomfort (in eye stings)
An ISFM 2020 research of a Bengal cat stung in the eye shows that the severity of the signs depends on whether the venom sac is injected into the skin alongside the stinger
Life-threatening anaphylactic shock (hives, disorientation, trouble breathing, heart rate changes, low body temperature) occurs in cats hypersensitive to bee venom. Luckily, studies say that sting hypersensitivities in cats are rare.
Use the Petcube Pet Camera to keep a vigilant eye on your cat when you are not at home. Fast actions can be life-saving in the case of bee stings.
What to Do if Your Cat Gets Stung by a Bee
If your cat gets stung by a bee, take it to the vet or resolve the situation at home. Immediate veterinary attention is a must if the cat:
- Is stung multiple times
- The sting is on critical places (eye or tongue)
- Showing signs of anaphylactic shock
Milder cases are manageable at home; just follow these steps:
- Remove the Stinger: If you can locate the stinger, use your fingernail or hard card (credit cards and driver’s licenses do the trick) to scrape it out. Do not try to squeeze it out, as you risk breaking it and releasing more venom.
- Apply a Cool Compress: A bag of frozen veggies or a cold, wet washcloth on the sting area helps reduce pain and inflammation.
- Do Not Give Human Pain Meds: “Drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are super toxic to cats,” warns Alycia Washington, DVM, MS, in an article for The Wildest.
- Call a Vet if Necessary: “As long as her behavior is ok and the sting site is not oozing/ open/smelly/messy, then I personally wouldn’t bring her to a vet,” says a Reddit user.
Use the Petcube Emergency Fund for financial support when dealing with emergency situations. The fund covers up to $3,000 in vet bills and comes with a 27% discount if you use this link.
FAQs
How Long Does it Take for a Cat to Recover from a Bee Sting?
It takes 12 to 24 hours for a cat to recover from a bee sting in mild cases. Complicated cases take longer.
What Happens if a Cat Gets Stung by a Bee?
When a cat gets stung by a bee, the venom triggers the immune system, causing pain in inflammation (in non-allergic cats) or anaphylactic shock (in allergic cats).
Conclusion
When dealing with a serious bee sting, call the vet. In milder cases, remove the stinger and apply a cold compress. Stings are painful for cats, so make sure you are showing extra TLC.