Domestic Pets

Injury Guide

SPIDER & INSECT BITES

Insects e.g spiders, bees,wasps, hornets,caterpillars and scorpions can inject poisons - whick will cause local injury and at times systemic effects.Insect bites occur most often on the face,and these can cause an acute generalized swelling of the muzzle of a dog, or a localized swelling at the side of the bite, which will usually subside completeley within 8-24 hours regardless of therapy

Deaths are usually due to acute allergic reactions.If a dog shows signs of weakness,difficulty in breathing and pale mucous membranes in the mouth, a veterinarian should be called immediately

CAUSES

BEES,WASPS,HORNETS: Stings are frequent in summer and in the vicinity of nests

SPIDERS & SCORPIONS: These can be a problem in hot countries in isolated areas

CATERPILLARS: Rare - in hot climates

BEES,WASPS,HORNET STINGS

The most common species of insects to give animals painful stings are bees, wasps and particular hornets. They produce, in the glands attached to their sting, a poison containing various toxic substances - which cause swelling that at first itch and then hurt. Danger usually arises only if there are many stings (hundreds from bees) and (a few dozen from hornets)This may happen if the animal is attacked by a swarm

Also if the animal is stung in the mouth, it might involve the tongue swelling and blocking the airway. This could lead to anaphylactic shock and sudden collapse

SCORPIONS,SPIDERS & CATERPILLARS

These are found in hotter regions of the world and can inflict painful and sometimes serious stings on animals

<<click to see Scorpions of Southern Africa>>

Some species of CATERPILLARS, which have fairly long and sharp hairs on their surface ,can provoke inflammatory reactions that cause itching, redness and sometimes blisters or swellings. The irritation is produced by the implanting of minute stings containing poison

Some SPIDERS, when provoked, will give a nasty bite.Many produce stong irritants causing local swellings that are hard and painful.Minor cases result in itchy spots. Some rare species produce powerful poisons that act not only locally at the site of the bite, but on the whole body, sometimes with fatal results e.g Latrodectes Tredecimgutttus - the Button Spider the Black Widow and Lycosa tarantula - the Tarantula

SCORPIONS inject poison by means of a sting on the end of their tails. The most dangerous species are tropical, but some in temperate zones. The injection produces swelling and in serious cases fever, muscular spasms and impaired breathing and circulation

ASSESSMENT

SIGNS: Immediately after an animal has been stung by an insect, spider or scorpion, it becomes restless and licks the injured area

SWELLING:The site generally swells conspicuouslay and therefore it is easy to find. If you part the hair and carefully examine the skin of the swollen area, you will find the tell-tale bite or sting marks in the center

You will need to call a vet at once in the following cases

When the animal has been stung by a scorpion or has multiple stings from a number of bees, wasps or hornets

TREATMENT

APPLICATION: Immediately after the injury - it may help to apply a pad of cotton wool saturated with diluted Ammonia ( use 1 tablespoonful in 175ml warm water)

Avoid applying any near the eyes,nose and mouth

Check that, when using it, the skin does not become inflamed

Cold compresses could be used, but are less soothing

Anti-inflammatory creams or lotions are more effective

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