What to Do When Cats Get Stung by Bees

Cats getting stung by bees can cause serious problems. These curious creatures, who love to hunt, start to move when they see bugs. They try to eat or catch the insects without even knowing what they are with their hunting instinct. Cats behave like this towards all kinds of insects. These insects not only can be flies but also honeybees and bumblebees. In these kinds of acts, cats getting stung by bees is one of the possible troubles. As a matter of fact, cat owners face this problem very often. Cat owners need to be on the alert for bee stings. In such cases, you need to step in quickly and consult to veterinarian. In this article, we will examine what to do and precautions you should take when cats get stung by bees.

Symptoms of Bee Stings in Cats

The first thing you need to know is that cats have allergies just like us humans. It is not quite possible for you to know whether your cat is allergic to bee stings or not. Therefore, you need to protect your cat against bee stings. Even if a bee sting does not cause allergic reactions in your cat, it will still be a very painful experience. Bee stings can lead to irritation and swelling in cats. The issues arising from a bee sting can lead to a range of consequences, including anaphylactic shock. Each cat’s reaction to a bee sting will be different. Remember, cats also have variable immune systems just like humans.

When your cat gets stung by a bee, you should carefully examine the area. If they are allergic, symptoms will likely show within twenty minutes. However, there could be situations where symptoms appear later. Therefore, you should closely monitor your cat for at least twenty-four hours. Itching and redness at the site of the bee sting in your cat are mild symptoms. There is no need to panic when you notice these mild symptoms.

Bee stings in cats can also present severe symptoms. Difficulty in breathing, wheezing, excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of these severe symptoms. In addition, loss of balance, dizziness, seizures, and similar symptoms are serious signs. When these symptoms appear, you need to be extremely cautious. If you notice significant swelling in the head and neck area or severe itching, it is another situation that requires careful evaluation.

First Aid for Bee Stings in Cats

When your cat gets stung by a bee, the first thing you can do is to locate the bee’s stinger. When bees sting, they leave their stingers in the area they have stung. Even after the bee separates, these stingers continue to release venom. Removing the bee’s stinger helps reduce the amount of venom, leading to milder effects and a better recovery. Using tweezers to remove the stinger is not the correct approach. It can cause more venom to be released from the venom sac. Therefore, after locating the stinger, gently flick the area or use an object like a credit card to scrape it out with very light pressure.

If you notice the severe symptoms mentioned earlier while removing the bee’s stinger, you should immediately seek veterinary attention. Your veterinarian will intervene correctly in case of a serious allergic reaction, preventing potential problems. During the veterinary visit, it is important to explain all the issues you have experienced in detail.

What to Do at Home When Your Cat Gets Stung

If the veterinarian states that your cat is fine and the problem can be easily solved, you can intervene at home.

You can first apply a cream specifically designed for insect bites to the affected area. Make sure to consult with the veterinarian before using this cream. If you are certain that it is a honeybee sting, you can apply a mixture of baking soda and water. If you have witnessed that it is a wasp sting, you can also use apple cider vinegar. To reduce swelling, you can apply a cold compress to the stung are for ten minutes.

Your cat might try to lick the area which could potentially harm it. Using a collar will prevent your cat from reaching the affected area. In addition, if your cat was stung in the mouth, they might experience difficulties eating or drinking. You can offer your cat dry food softened with water or wet food.

Veterinary Intervention

Severe symptoms can occur in cats after a bee sting. If you notice such symptoms, refrain yourself from self-intervention. You should immediately find a veterinarian and have your cat examined. This is crucial for both treatment and reducing potential reactions. Your cat might require medications like epinephrine or corticosteroids for a bee sting.

If your cat is experiencing seizures due to a bee sting, it is crucial to intervene correctly and stabilise them afterwards. Oxygen support or intravenous fluids may be necessary for stabilisation. If serious issues are overcome after a bee sting, it is important to conduct blood and urine tests to determine if there is any organ damage. Additionally, your veterinarian may recommend keeping your cat under observation at the clinic for a while. Remember that the allergic reactions your cat displays could reoccur in the future.

How to Protect Cats from Bee Stings

As everyone knows, cats are curious creatures. Therefore, no matter the precautions you take, a bee sting can always be a concern. Nevertheless, there are steps you can implement to lower the chance of risk.

If there is a beehive in your garden or near your house, you need to take action. Beehives must be moved to places where cats cannot reach under any circumstances. Moreover, if you spot bees in the house, you should try to keep them away from the house as much as possible. If it is difficult to shoo the bee, you should take the cat to a safe area. Installing insect screens on windows and balcony doors will limit insects getting in, which is another precautionary measure you can take.

Do not panic if your cat gets stung by a bee even if you take precautions. Staying calm but acting swiftly will be helpful. In such cases, you can reach out to veterinarians on PatiWe online and get answers to all your questions.