What to do if a cat is bitten by a hornet. If a cat is bitten by a bumblebee, what to do at home. Photos of cats stung by bees

How to tell if a cat has been bitten by an insect

Wasps and bees fly into apartments, so a pet is not 100% protected from their bites anywhere, especially when the cat is playful and inquisitive. When a flickering dot appears in their field of vision, they strive to catch it or play with it. How can you tell if an animal has been bitten by a wasp or a bee?

What will immediately attract attention

What else appears (immediately or after some time)

• visible painful swelling in a specific place, swelling, prolonged lameness (observed when a cat was bitten on the paw by a wasp);
• breathing problems, shortness of breath, wheezing;
• hives;
• increased saliva production;
• an increase not only in local temperature, but also in the temperature of the entire body;
• in rare cases, vomiting;
• feverish state, tachycardia (the heart begins to beat quickly, but weakly);
• signs of anaphylactic or toxic shock;
• cramps, involuntary urination;
• lack of coordination of movements;
• loss of consciousness.

An effective means of combating insects - calling specialists

If lonely hornets fly into your summer cottage, then there is nothing to worry about. It’s another matter when their nest is discovered on the site itself or in a country house. After all, the Russian hornet is dangerous

close proximity.
And in this case, it’s up to you to decide whether the hornet
living next to you is dangerous.

To protect yourself and your loved ones, you need to get rid of their nest. You can do it yourself, but is it worth the risk? This matter should be entrusted to professionals.

Specialists treat the area from hornets and their homes at prices affordable for everyone. Destruction is carried out using a special technique and using modern drugs.

If you don’t want to endure the proximity of giant insects, call the Biotrix sanitary service! Professionals will ensure your safety!

Why are wasp and bee stings dangerous?

The bites of these insects should not be ignored under any circumstances. If this happens to your pet for the first time, the body’s reaction can be very unpredictable. What can be the danger of bites:

• If a wasp bites you on the nose, any part of the head, ear, lip or throat, then there is a high risk of developing swelling, which can block the airways and cause suffocation. The mortality rate of such bites is the highest.
• Bites to the groin and/or genitals can cause blockage of the ureters due to swelling.
• If a wasp bites a cat in the eye, an inflammatory process will develop with suppuration and the risk of blindness.
• When a small kitten is stung by a wasp or bee, a severe intoxication reaction can develop. For this, even the smallest dose of poison is enough for a small, fragile organism. There is a risk of death of the animal.
• Allergic reaction with hypersensitivity to bee/wasp venom. Convulsions and increased body temperature are also signs of an individual reaction to the venom of wasps and bees.
• Severe pain that interferes with normal life activities. This is especially noticeable if a cat is bitten on the paw by a wasp - the pain can be such that it is impossible to step on the paw.

The worst consequence is anaphylaxis! In case of anaphylactic shock, qualified assistance should be provided as soon as possible.

Signs of anaphylaxis

• severe lethargy of the cat, weakness, unnatural, inhibited behavior;
• pallor or cyanosis of visible mucous membranes (whites of the eyes, conjunctival mucosa, gums, inner surface of the cheeks);
• hoarse, difficult breathing;
• vomit;
• weak but rapid pulse;
• involuntary urination, cramps.

With all of the above signs, cats bitten by bees or wasps should be immediately taken to a veterinary clinic!

At particular risk for severe allergic reactions are:

• small kittens;
• cats and kittens who have any chronic diseases or are in the recovery period after any illness/surgery;
• individuals who have received multiple bites;
• cats (cats develop allergies faster and more severely than cats);
• “special” cat breeds: British, Angora, Persian and almost all long-haired;
• cats that have or have previously had a hypersensitivity reaction to wasp or bee venom.

First aid for a wasp, bee, bumblebee or hornet sting

First aid for a wasp, bee, bumblebee or hornet sting
After a wasp sting, a local reaction of the body is usually observed on the body. When bitten in the eyes (eyelids), face, or other softer tissues of the skin, swelling becomes more pronounced. It should also be taken into account that weakened people, allergy sufferers, children and women demonstrate a higher sensitivity to poison.

In addition to swelling of the bite site, the human body may have the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature;

If you are stung by one wasp, then there will be no serious consequences, but if a person is stung by several dozen insects at the same time, then we can talk about a general toxic reaction. Its severity will depend on the total amount of poison entering the body. It is known that a dose of venom from the bite of 500 or more hymenoptera insects is considered fatal for humans.

The exception is the 1-2% of people who are allergic to the venom of wasps, bees, bumblebees and other hymenoptera. Even if such a person is stung by just one insect, the consequences can be very serious. In addition to urticaria and swelling, in some cases shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, high temperature, body cramps are observed, and even a short-term loss of consciousness is possible. Swelling of the tongue and larynx is very dangerous, which can cause suffocation.

Important! An allergic reaction does not occur when a person is first stung by a hymenoptera. However, the allergic reaction that appears after each subsequent bite will be more and more severe.

The most severe, life-threatening allergic reaction is anaphylactic shock. In this case, immediately after the bite, the person loses consciousness, and the activity of many organs and systems is disrupted, primarily the cardiovascular system.

FIRST AID FOR A WASP, BEE, BUMBEE BITE

We have figured out the identification of some stinging insects. We also found out what symptoms there are from their bites. Now it remains to find out what to do if you are stung by a wasp, bee, bumblebee or their relatives.

1. Get rid of the sting. It must be remembered that when a wasp stings, you do not need to look for its sting on the body, because she doesn’t leave him, of course, if you haven’t “sealed” her to you. It's a completely different matter with a bee sting. The bee has a jagged stinger, so it needs to be removed. This is a simple matter, the main thing is to disinfect the wound, as well as the tool for removing the bee sting, so as not to introduce an infection into the wound. This can be done using: peroxide, ammonia diluted with water, iodine, alcohol solution, corticosteroid ointment - for the wound, regular medical alcohol - for tools, such as tweezers.

Important! You should not squeeze out the poison, as you can easily get infected.

2. Now that there is no sting, it is necessary to prevent the spread of poison in the body, and also to prevent an allergic reaction.

• In case of a general toxic reaction, the victim is advised to drink as much as possible. Preference – sweet water, hot sweet tea;

• Place a heating pad with cold water or a wet towel on the site of swelling, which will slow down the absorption of the poison;

• Wet a cloth with a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per 1 glass of water) and leave on the sore spot for 15–20 minutes.

• A piece of moistened sugar applied to the wound helps draw out the poison.

• An allergic reaction is prevented by taking antihistamines, such as Claritin, Suprastin or other similar drugs.

3. To relieve pain and swelling

• Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the bite site for at least 30 minutes. You can also apply a compress from a cloth soaked in alcohol or vinegar with water;

• Make a compress from lemon juice. Eliminates pain and relieves swelling;

• You can make a compress from golden mustache tincture with vodka;

• Apply a cut onion, tomato or garlic to the bite site;

• Apply a cut apple to the wound;

• Apply crushed or chewed leaves of fresh parsley to the sore spot;

• Anoint the wound with Psilo-balm or Fenistil gel;

• Apply a Validol tablet moistened with water to the bite site;

• Take diphenhydramine. It is necessary to take this remedy if the swelling is too large, i.e. if you have an allergic reaction;

What is first aid?

What to do if a cat is bitten by a bee or wasp? In any case, you will have to provide first aid yourself, and then go to the veterinarian if the need arises.

Help algorithm:

1. Place the cat in any cool place and give it complete rest. Be sure to bring it from the street into the house if everything happened in the yard.
2. Observe the animal for just a few minutes to rule out symptoms of anaphylactic shock or suffocating edema, when you should rush to the veterinary clinic rather than try to help yourself.
3. If you have the homeopathic medicine “Apis” in your home medicine cabinet, it is recommended to give the cat 5-10 drops orally with a small amount of water. This is especially true in cases where there is a history of insect bites and allergies to them - this should always be the case.
4. Under control of the general condition, you should begin examining the animal’s body to understand where the insect bite occurred. If edema and swelling are found in the area of ​​the larynx, then immediately take your pet to a specialist. Intubation may be necessary, and this can only be done by a specialist.
5. Remember: wasps do not leave stings, only bees leave stings!
   If a cat has been bitten by a bee, you need to find a place with a protruding sting and carefully pull it out using tweezers. It is important not to flatten it, otherwise the intoxication reaction will intensify. If a wasp stings, you can try to lightly squeeze out the ichor with the remaining poison. But this manipulation is only suitable for the first minutes after an insect attack, because then swelling forms and the hole narrows so much that nothing can be squeezed out. During any manipulations at the site of swelling, the cat must be well secured - this is very painful!

After removing the sting and squeezing out any remaining toxins, the bite site can be treated with the following solutions and substances:

• fruit acids (rub with a piece of lemon, apple, orange, you can add a pulp of the pulp of these fruits);
• vinegar water (9% table or natural apple cider vinegar is mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio, a cotton swab is generously moistened and applied to the bite site. The exception is bites in the mouth or near the mouth);
• citric acid solution (make slightly acidic water, moisten a cotton swab, apply to the bite site);
• a soap solution made from laundry soap relieves itching (soap a cotton swab generously and periodically wash the wound);
• soda solution (dilute a third of a level teaspoon in 100 ml of water, wipe with a cotton swab dipped in the solution);
• ammonia (do not generously lubricate the bite site if it is not on the head - legs, stomach, back...);
• turmeric (sprinkle generously on the bite area, after moistening it with plain water).

Applying cold to the bite site

Take something cold (ice, some kind of product) out of the freezer, wrap it in a thin cotton towel or napkin and apply it for 10 seconds with the same breaks. Cold will sharply narrow the skin capillaries, preventing the spread of poison and increasing swelling. Cold can be applied before treating the bite site with topical solutions, especially if the animal has been injured by a wasp. Then cold is first applied, then local treatment is done.

Hornet: what kind of insect

To understand why the hornet is dangerous for humans

, you should find out the nature of this insect.

Hornets belong to the family of social wasps, which are the largest among its representatives. It is very difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish hornets from wasps. This is not so important, given the potential threat these representatives of the aspen family pose to people. How dangerous is a hornet?

By nature they are not aggressive insects. They feed on nectar from flowers, fruit juice, and to feed their larvae they hunt bees, flies and even small wasps. Hornets build nests, which are located in old stumps, trees and attics.

In total, there are about twenty species of these huge wasps in the world. In our country, the most common hornet is the common hornet, which is not the largest of all. The most dangerous hornet in the world

found in Japan, Korea, India, China.
In Russia, such a giant Asian hornet is also found - in the Primorsky Territory. It reaches a length of five centimeters and has a sting with extremely toxic poison. The most dangerous hornet
has a bite that causes very severe pain.

What not to do

It is important not only to help your pet correctly and promptly when bitten by stinging insects, but also not to cause harm. A cat was bitten by a wasp - what not to do:

• treat bite sites with any irritating ointments and gels for people containing menthol and essential oils;
• give any antiallergic drugs to people - at best they simply will not help, at worst they will harm the general condition;
• try to provide independent assistance for anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema.

What happens if a hornet bites - consequences

Usually, severe pain is felt and nothing more if the bite is single. There will be no consequences for a person who is not allergic to insect bites.

But options are possible. It can sting repeatedly. It’s not scary if there is slight swelling, accompanied by pain and redness. Normal reaction of the body. But when the pain is too strong, simply unbearable, take action.

Immediately when:

• dizzy;
• lymph nodes enlarge;
• blood pressure drops sharply, temperature increases;
• difficult to speak;
• hands and feet get cold;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• ears, lips turn blue;
• Quincke's edema appears;
• hemorrhages appear (a lot);
• tissue necrosis, anaphylactic shock, renal failure (rare)

Let's celebrate! Urgent medical attention is required.

What does a hornet bite look like?

• Immediately there is pain, severe, sometimes unbearable.
• Redness follows. It comes in varying degrees of brightness, from barely noticeable to very strong.
• At the same time, swelling develops. It comes in varying degrees of severity.
• The temperature at the site of damage rises. The pain does not go away for a long time, a strong burning sensation is felt, the skin seems to be “burning”.
• In addition, itching occurs, sometimes simply unbearable.

Good to know! The consequences listed above may also occur. What the damaged area will look like, what can be expected, depends on the poison injected by the hornet and the number of bites. As mentioned above, one bite can go unnoticed. However, the insect tends to bite several times in a row.

When to go to the vet

In the following situations, you need to immediately take the animal to a veterinarian:

• a wasp/bee bit a small kitten;
• the bite was in the head area, and especially somewhere in the neck;
• a severe allergic reaction with angioedema and difficulty breathing is visible;
• the organ of vision was damaged (bite directly in the eye);
• Some time after the bite, the cat loses its appetite, apathy appears, the temperature of the whole body rises, and the place where the insect stung swells or begins to fester.

What the veterinarian urgently introduces:

• prednisolone: ​​0.5-1 ml subcutaneously/intramuscularly;
• dexamethasone: 0.2-1 ml subcutaneously/into the muscle;
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine, diphenhydramine): 0.5-1 ml intramuscularly;
• Diazolin: ½ tablet orally. or pills, but only in cases where there is no swelling of the pharynx and swallowing is not difficult;
• aminophylline: 0.1-0.5 ml into the muscle or subcutaneously to improve ventilation in case of swelling of the airways.
• adrenaline 0.1% - administered in particularly urgent cases of anaphylaxis. The dosage is determined only by a veterinarian in each individual case, because If the calculation is incorrect, you can get the opposite effect.

In most cases, the cat’s body copes with wasp and bee stings on its own - swelling, swelling, pain, lameness subside and disappear within 2-7 days (up to a maximum of 10 with increased individual sensitivity of the body). Cases when urgent veterinary care is required are quite rare, but every cat owner should be able to figure out when it is really needed.

The cat was bitten by a wasp. In the summer, such incidents are not uncommon, especially if the owners take their pet out of town. Cats and dogs are very playful animals who enjoy chasing butterflies and flies. However, not all insects are harmless.

The result of a fun game can be a very painful bite, and often four-legged pets can stir up a hornet's nest. Retribution for such a prank will not be long in coming.

Possible consequences of the Vespa attack

The severity of the consequences of a hornet attack largely depends on where the insect stung and how much of the poisonous gland managed to penetrate the body. The greatest danger to life occurs if the insect stings in the larynx, getting into a person’s mouth along with sweet food or fruit. In this situation, severe swelling occurs, blocking the flow of air into the windpipe, and if a hole is not made in it by inserting a tube into it, death is inevitable.

Unfortunately, stings in other, less delicate places can also be dangerous, depending on the person’s health and the strength of their immune system. After all, the main consequence of an attack by this stinging monster is intoxication of the body. It may appear as:

• dizziness and headaches;
• increased sweating, fever and chills;
• the occurrence of attacks of nausea, often leading to vomiting;
• significant increase in temperature of the whole body;
• the appearance of difficulty breathing and shortness of breath;
• seizures;
• allergic skin rashes, in the form of urticaria.

Almost always, the consequence of a hornet attack is a deterioration in the general condition of the person stung by it. The appearance of urticaria in the future can lead to a dangerous complication, manifested in swelling of the larynx and disruption of normal breathing (in medicine, this phenomenon is called Quincke's edema).

This is important:
No less dangerous consequences of a bite include disturbances in heart rhythm, which in some cases can lead to cardiac arrest. And, of course, allergy sufferers are a risk area. For them, an unpleasant encounter with an aggressive insect can result in anaphylactic shock.”

What danger do wasp stings pose?

Most often, wasps bite on the paw pads or mouth area, much less often on other parts of the body, since the body of the animal is protected by fur. If the bite occurs on the paw or body, then it will not pose a danger to the health of the animal.

Pain and other unpleasant symptoms will go away on their own within 3-4 hours, leaving no consequences, except, perhaps, scars. However, in some cases, the owner of the animal may not notice that the cat has been attacked by a stinging insect.

Under no circumstances should you ignore the fact that a cat was bitten by a wasp. If this happened for the first time, then it is unknown how the animal’s body will react to the bite. The owner must pay special attention to the condition of the pet in cases where:

1. The bite occurred in the area of ​​the muzzle, head, throat, ears, nose, and lip. This is fraught with the possibility of swelling, which will spread to the respiratory tract. The likelihood of death from suffocation in this case is very high.
2. The insect stings the genitals or groin - this can lead to blockage of the urinary tract.
3. A wasp bit a cat in the eye - inflammation, and even possible.
4. A wasp or bee bit a small kitten. Even a small dose of a toxic substance is enough to cause intoxication in a fragile body, which, in turn, can lead to the death of the baby.
5. The animal has hypersensitivity and allergies.

Any of these factors can contribute to angioedema or anaphylactic shock, which is why it is so important to provide first aid to your pet in a timely manner, and if possible, immediately take the animal to a veterinary clinic.

The British are the most prone to allergic reactions. There is also a huge danger for cats that have received multiple bee and wasp stings, as well as for animals with chronic diseases or who have recently undergone surgery.

Symptoms and complications depending on the location of the bite

Different parts of the body may experience different symptoms. So, if the bite was on the paws, then it can be detected by the animal’s limp.

Nose

A bite in this place is easy to detect, since the nose of the mustachioed-striped one instantly turns red and swells. If detected, it is better to immediately begin therapy with antihistamines. If help is not provided on time, at best the animal will have difficulty eating. At worst, swelling can spread to the nasal mucosa and cause suffocation.

Lip

When bitten on the lips, the cat's face swells, making its features disproportionate. The lip protrudes, the animal tries to press its muzzle to the ground in an attempt to get rid of the sting.

Cheeks

Stung cheeks become very swollen. The swelling may spread to other parts of the face or neck. With a strong reaction, the cat’s coordination of movements is impaired.

Language

When this organ is damaged, the cat develops shortness of breath, vomiting, and increased salivation. Help must be provided immediately to prevent swelling of the nasopharynx.

Eyelids and eyes

Bites to the area around the eyes can lead to serious complications, including loss of vision. An allergic reaction is manifested by swelling and inflammation.

Groin area

In this case, severe swelling is observed in the area of ​​the urinary organs. If help is not provided in time, the swelling will block the ducts, and the animal may die from bladder overflow.

Symptoms of a wasp sting in a cat

In some long-haired breeds (Persian, Angora, etc.), swelling may not be visible due to long hair. Trouble can be suspected by a change in the pet's behavior - it becomes angry, aggressive, does not allow the person who wants to examine it to approach it, and meows pitifully.

Cats are curious creatures with a well-developed hunting instinct. No cat would miss an opportunity to catch a buzzing insect, but a bee sting can be very dangerous.

Is a hornet's bite fatal to humans?

Redness, itching and abscess are the most common symptoms of a bite.

In itself, a hornet sting is no more dangerous than a bee or wasp sting. But here, too, everything depends on the type of insect. The Asian hornet is considered more dangerous than, say, the common hornet. In general, symptoms go away over time. However, there are exceptions that can result in death in the following risk category:

• allergy sufferers who are susceptible to the chemical components of the poison;
• children, especially infants;
• numerous bites in the event of an insect attack (based on the amount of poison introduced into the body, bites from 500 hornets cause death);
• a fatal bite occurs when the sting enters a blood vessel on the head or another large organ, in which the poison quickly reaches the brain.

Symptoms of bites

As a rule, if a cat is bitten by a bee, the symptoms are localized at the site of the bite and manifest locally. In the case when a bee stings and the animal owner does not notice it, you need to know the clinical signs:

• The bite site swells greatly (can double in size) and becomes hot;
• The cat is restless, shaking its paw or head;
• Drooling may occur.

The local reaction is not life-threatening for the animal. But allergic reactions, although rare, pose a real danger to the pet’s life. Symptoms of an allergic reaction in a pet:

• Heartbeat disturbance;
• Very strong drooling;
• Shortness of breath, hoarse breathing;
• State of shock;
• Quincke's edema;
• Depression of consciousness, unsteady gait.

What to do if a cat is bitten by a wasp? First aid

Cats quite often hunt flying insects. They can also attack wasps and bees, thereby provoking retaliatory aggression from the insect. Most often, cats try to play or hunt wasps, since insects often end up in living quarters. It is important to take into account that the body’s reaction to wasp venom can vary significantly depending on the age of the pet, the location of the bite and the animal’s tendency to allergic reactions.

A wasp bit a cat in the face: first aid

First aid

Every owner must know what to do if a cat is bitten by a bee. First of all, you need to provide first aid to the animal before taking the pet to the veterinarian.

1. When a bee stings, it leaves a sting in the wound. First aid is to remove the sting. The tiny bee sting is almost impossible to reach with your hands; you need to use tweezers and carefully remove it without crushing it. Before you begin to remove the sting from the wound, the cat needs to be well secured - any manipulation at the site of the bite will be very painful.
2. After the sting is removed, the bite site should be washed with soap and treated with a solution of vinegar (1:1 with water) or chlorhexidine.
3. Apply cold to the bite site - ice or any frozen product, be sure to first wrap it in cloth.

Treatment of the bite site

The bite site can be treated with hydrogen peroxide, but the most effective way is to rinse with a vinegar solution.

Soap will also help relieve some of the pain at the site of the bite; you should wash the wound regularly with a soapy solution.

If the bite occurs in the eye area, under no circumstances should you wash it with vinegar or peroxide. A chamomile solution is used to wash the eyes.

A cold compress will help reduce the effects of the bite and lower the animal's body temperature, because During the spread of bee venom, body temperature rises.

Treatment with drugs

A bee sting is always painful and can lead to serious complications. If bitten in the paw area, the animal will not be able to move normally for several days. And bites to the head, larynx, mouth, eyes or genitals can be fatal for your pet.

To treat bites on the paws or body of an animal, local treatment is sufficient; no medical intervention is required. If a bee stings in the head or genital area, it is imperative to carry out medical treatment and strictly under the guidance of a veterinarian. Any medications and dosage must be prescribed by a doctor, even if it is impossible to deliver the animal to the clinic (consultations by telephone).

Treatment consists of stopping the spread of poison and absorption into the blood. Be sure to administer prednisolone to reduce the manifestation of allergic reactions. Prednisolone can be given as tablets or intramuscularly. Injections are more effective, the medicine begins to act much faster than tablets, and it is not always possible to give the cat a tablet. The dosage of the drug must be calculated by a veterinarian, but if it is impossible to obtain advice, the dose of the drug is 0.1 ml per 1 kg of animal. Prednisolone can be administered every 12 hours.

Instead of prednisolone, you can give dexamethasone at a dosage of 0.2 ml per 1 kg of animal weight. It is not advisable to give Suprastin to animals, because often causes adverse reactions in cats.

Contacting a veterinarian

If a cat shows signs of an allergic reaction, the animal must be taken to a veterinarian - in this case, minutes can count. If a severe allergy occurs - for example, swelling of the larynx, respiratory arrest, only a doctor can restore breathing by installing an oxygen tube.

In addition, in case of swelling or shock, it is necessary to inject adrenaline - including intravenous drips. Adrenaline should be administered carefully and slowly; only a qualified veterinarian can calculate the dosage and frequency of administration.

But even if the animal does not experience an acute reaction, and the bite occurs in the area of ​​the head, mouth, eyes or genitals, it is necessary to show the pet to a veterinarian. Swelling of the larynx or mouth can, if left unchecked, severely impair respiratory function. A bite to the eye area can lead to blindness or inflammation. And swelling in the genital area can slow down or completely stop urination - in this case, a catheter must be installed.

It is imperative to take kittens to the doctor, especially blind ones; small kittens have weak immunity and the dosage of poison significantly exceeds the dose of an adult animal.

Some breeds of cats are more prone to allergic reactions - for example, Angora, Persian, British cats - these animals must be shown to a doctor, because the allergic reaction may be delayed.

When do you urgently need specialist help?

Such cases include situations when:

1. The sting of an angry wasp hit your pet's head or throat. The appearance of edema in this case threatens to block the airways and can lead to suffocation.
2. The eye is damaged, which is fraught with suppuration, the development of an inflammatory process with subsequent complications.
3. A very small kitten suffered from a bite. The smaller the animal, the stronger the effect of the poison on its body and the result can be serious intoxication.
4. The animal is highly sensitive to substances contained in insect venom.

But still, bites on the neck remain the most dangerous. And if this happens to your beloved kitten, then take him to the vet immediately.

Swelling in the airway area is dangerous because it can cause suffocation

And remember that the most vulnerable to poison are:

• Muzzle
• Language
• Neck
• Eyes
• Groin.

If the animal is stung in one of the listed places, then you need to quickly seek help from the clinic. After all, severe swelling in the neck will make breathing difficult and can lead to suffocation.

Damage to the eye can lead to blindness, and swelling in the groin can compress the urinary ducts. And if measures are not taken in time, this will lead to unpleasant consequences.

Cats of long-haired breeds are prone to allergies: Persians, British, Angoras. In addition, their bite is not immediately noticeable.

Prevention

Prevention of bee stings can only be done by protecting your home - mosquito nets on windows, nets on doors. Animal bowls should not be placed outside.

And, of course, pets must be closely monitored and treated with repellents.

Most often, a bee sting does not pose a danger to a cat; the symptoms go away within a few days, but the location of the poison causes great suffering to the pet. If the animal has been bitten by bees before and has not had any allergic reactions, then the cat will tolerate another bite well.

Hello, Valya!

In spring and summer, when the weather is good, we try to be outdoors more often and take our pets with us. But do not forget that there are dangers awaiting them there - injuries, insect bites. Cats and dogs can get into trouble because they are curious and playful. Reactions to bites in animals, just like in people, can be different.

Unlike blood-sucking insects (ticks, mosquitoes and midges), insects such as bees, wasps, bumblebees or hornets do not bite their prey, but sting with a sharp sting located at the end of the abdomen. The danger is not the wound itself, but the poison, which is injected into the victim’s body through a puncture in the skin, like from a syringe. This poison is a protein compound. This is why an allergic reaction is possible.

Bumblebee stings, like other stinging insects, are very painful, so you will immediately notice your pet's reaction. In addition to pain, the first things to appear are burning and redness. Then swelling and itching may appear. After some time, a rise in temperature, nausea, fever, weakness, and loss of coordination are possible. The greatest danger is an allergic reaction, which is accompanied by severe swelling, changes in heart rate, convulsions, and in the worst case, can result in death. Therefore, you need to quickly provide first aid to your four-legged friend.

How to protect your pets

In summer, it is necessary to protect your cat from bites of various types of insects. It will not be possible to completely protect your pet from the environment, so you should make his stay in nature less dangerous.

Prevention measures:

1. It is necessary to install mosquito nets on windows indoors, especially outside the city.
2. It is necessary to clean the garden plot and destroy wasp and bee nests.
3. The cat should be fed and watered only indoors, not outdoors. This way, the risk of swallowing a dangerous insect with food can be minimized.
4. Before going outside, the cat is treated with repellents, which makes it possible to protect his stay on the street for several hours.

Important! If all these measures are observed, insect damage to the animal can be eliminated.

First aid

1. Examine the bite site. Bees and bumblebees can leave a sting in the wound. Try to remove it carefully. Bumblebees have a smooth sting that rarely remains, but they can sting several times.
2. Wash the bite with an antiseptic - medical alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
3. To relieve irritation, lubricate the sore spot with iodine or ammonia, apply a cold compress soaked in a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon per glass of water) for 20 - 30 minutes.
4. You can give the animal an antihistamine - suprastin, tavegil, diphenhydramine, diazolin, approximately ¼ - ½ tablet depending on weight. It is still better for the medicine to be prescribed by a doctor.
5. In case of a severe allergic reaction, immediately contact a veterinarian who will give an intramuscular injection.

First aid for a pet

Complications after bites sometimes appear so quickly that there is simply no time to go to a specialist. In such a situation, the owner must be able to provide first aid himself.

To do this, you can use the following reminder:

1. Wash the wound with soap and water to prevent possible infection.
2. Wipe the bite area with table vinegar diluted in water in a ratio of one to one. This will help relieve pain and relieve itching.
3. Add ice cubes. Exposure to cold inhibits the inflammatory process and reduces swelling.

If the wound is on one of the limbs, then you can limit yourself to a cold compress on it.

How dangerous are insect bites?

The greatest danger comes from cases of multiple bites, as well as when a bumblebee stings in the area of ​​the eyes, nose, tongue or throat, because The muscles of the throat and tongue may swell, causing suffocation. In this case, it is necessary to deliver the animal to the nearest veterinary center as quickly as possible. Also, bites are especially dangerous for small kittens and puppies. Monitor your pet closely for several hours after the bite to watch for warning signs. If the bite is on a paw or other not too sensitive area, there will most likely be a slight swelling that will go away in a couple of days.

Bumblebees are quite peaceful insects and sting quite rarely, and not all of them have a sting. They attack people and animals only if they are grabbed or the nest is disturbed.

When going out into nature with your four-legged friend, try to protect him from dangers in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. Be attentive to your pet.

Best regards, Olga.

If a cat is stung by a bee, it is necessary to provide first aid and then act according to the circumstances. If your pet's health worsens, you should show it to a veterinarian. The most dangerous bites are on the muzzle, neck, and nose. If a severe allergic reaction develops, the animal risks dying.

Prevention of bites

What should you do to avoid becoming a victim of a hornet attack? Remember that the hornet is a carnivorous insect; it is always ready for both attack and defense.

That's why:

• when walking in unfamiliar places, be extremely careful;
• if you come across a nest, move away from it immediately;
• Do not touch the nest under any circumstances (do not rock it, do not knock on it), otherwise the insect will attack without hesitation;
• do not stand in the path of the hornet;
• do not drive him away by waving your arms;
• try not to make sudden movements;
• freeze, stand for a while without moving;
• do not kill the hornet, especially near its nest;
• When going outdoors, do not use cosmetics, perfumes, or cologne, since the fragrance of some cosmetics can cause an insect attack.

Symptoms of bites

If a bee stings, the animal’s reaction is the same as a person’s. When poison enters the bloodstream, swelling, swelling, redness, pain, burning, and eventually itching appear at the site. In some cases, symptoms disappear on their own within a few days, without special treatment. In another situation, an urgent visit to a specialist is required. The photo is presented below.

If a cat is bitten by a bee, a severe allergic reaction may occur, which is manifested by a general deterioration in the animal’s well-being.

• vomit;
• lack of appetite;
• convulsions;
• lacrimation;
• increased salivation;
• trembling throughout the body;
• temperature increase;
• loss of consciousness;
• hard breath;
• swelling of the larynx.

The allergy appears within the first 20 minutes after a bee stings. But complications may occur the next day. If after first aid the cat’s condition does not improve, you should take the pet to the veterinarian or consult by phone.

Folk remedies for bites

Given the poor infrastructure in many remote areas, the above services and medications may not be available to many owners. Indeed, not every city has a veterinary clinic, and interruptions in the supply of medicines can also be seasonal.

As usual, traditional medicine comes to the rescue in such situations. It must be remembered that this is the most extreme measure when it is not possible to carry out normal treatment, because the effectiveness of the action and the recovery period for the pet will be completely different.

So, the main thing in this matter is to start stopping the bite from the very first minutes. You need to find the swelling/site of the lesion, take a lemon, orange or any other citrus fruit and apply it to the bite site.

Next, an infusion of chamomile or calendula is brewed and compresses are given to the animal throughout the day. This will partially help relieve inflammation. Turmeric powder, which needs to be diluted with water, will help cope with subsequent itching.

Important! Traditional medicine can only help if the animal does not have an allergic reaction.

First aid

What to do if a cat is bitten by a bee, there is a certain mechanism of action. The insect leaves in the pet's body, which continues to excrete, it needs to be removed. If, upon careful examination of the affected area, no bee sting is found, it means...

1. The sting should be removed carefully using tweezers. Using nails can damage the structure and leave part of an organ in the body, which is highly undesirable. Surgery will be required to remove it.
2. Next, you should treat the sore spot with any antiseptic to neutralize the effect of the poison. For these purposes, medications and folk remedies are used.
3. After disinfection, you need to relieve swelling and reduce pain. In this case, use a cold compress or ice cubes wrapped in a towel. The swelling will finally go away in a few days. It is recommended to repeat the procedure several times a day.

If there are signs of a severe allergic reaction, before being examined by a specialist, it is allowed to give the cat an antihistamine or activated charcoal to remove toxins.

Hornet: description

In practice, a hornet is a large wasp, the length of which is in the range of 2-2.5 cm, while the queen is somewhat larger and can reach 3.5 cm in length. These insects can often be seen in gardens, summer cottages and in the wild outside the city. Their nests can be located anywhere, including under the roofs of outbuildings, in trees, in firewood and other places protected from weather conditions and easy access to them. A hornet can be easily distinguished from a wasp not only by its size, but also by the color of its chest: the wasp’s chest is black, while the hornet’s is brown with a reddish tint; in addition, the back of the hornet’s head is wider than the front.

The sting of a European hornet is much more painful compared to a bee or wasp. Due to the toxins contained in its venom, the human body tolerates a hornet bite more severely. In addition, the venom of this insect contains histamines, which can cause allergies. Despite this, single bites are not fatal. If we talk about the bite of a giant hornet, which lives in Southeast Asia, then untimely help can end very badly.

As a rule, only females that have a sting bite, but this does not make it any easier, since it is almost impossible to distinguish a female just like that.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A HORNET STINGS

Disinfestation products

You can treat the wound if a bee has stung a cat with medical alcohol, ammonia, any alcohol tincture, or hydrogen peroxide.

• Tincture of valerian, motherwort, and calendula soothes pain and relieves swelling. A small amount is applied to a cotton swab and applied to the sore spot.
• If there is no alcohol, prepare a paste from soda. Mix kitchen salt and baking soda in equal proportions, dilute with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the skin. Baking soda helps relieve swelling, pain, burning, itching.
• You can disinfect the wound with juice from orange, lemon, onion, and potato. Another effective remedy is laundry soap or an acidic solution. Table vinegar and citric acid are added to the water. They make lotions, apply a compress, wipe the skin.

In the future, to eliminate swelling, decoctions of medicinal herbs are used - chamomile, mint, lemon balm, calendula. The potion is poured with boiling water and left for half an hour. Sore spots need to be treated several times a day. The swelling goes away completely within 3 days.

Interesting!

The cat actively licks the bitten area with its tongue. Not only because the animal is in pain or unpleasant, but to disinfect the wound. Saliva is a natural antiseptic. Wild, stray cats treat themselves. The sting falls out over time without outside help.

After a bee stings a cat's nose or other place on its face, an antihistamine should be given to avoid severe allergies. There is no special cat drug. Experts advise:

• Prednisolone. At home, give 0.5 tablets. Turn it into powder, dilute it with water, and pour it into the cat’s mouth. If immediate relief of an allergic reaction is required, an injection is given intramuscularly and 0.5 ml of solution is injected.
• Dexamethasone. More suitable for obvious signs of allergies - vomiting, nausea, difficulty breathing. An injection is given with a solution of 0.2 ml.
• Diazolin. It is recommended if a bee has bitten a kitten, an adult cat, or a cat. Dose – 0.5 tablets at a time. On the first day, an antihistamine is given three times.
• L-cet. A modern antihistamine is produced in the form of a suspension or tablets. In the first case, give 0.5 teaspoon per day, in the second - ¼ of the tablet.

To save a cat’s life after a bee sting, you can give any antihistamine that is in your home medicine cabinet, but then you should show your pet to a specialist. Carry out further therapy under the supervision of a veterinarian.

If a bee bites a cat on the paw, there is no particular cause for concern. But an animal may have an individual intolerance to bee venom. In this case, the consequences are unpredictable, the paw noticeably swells. To avoid complications, you need to give an antihistamine immediately after discovering a bite.

Options for helping your pet at home

Diarrhea and vomiting in a cat: what to do at home

Where to give intramuscular injections to a cat

If the above symptoms are detected, experts strongly advise contacting a veterinarian as soon as possible. But, since many owners first of all turn to the Internet for advice, several recommendations should be given.

1. First of all, you need to determine the location of the bite. You won’t be able to cope on your own, since the animal at this moment is not in the mood for contact, so someone will have to hold the cat by force, and someone will have to check the fur centimeter by centimeter.
2. Having found a place, armed with a manicure set, you need to remove the sting (if it was a bee) from the skin. This will reduce the amount of poison and may not lead to anaphylactic shock. The bite site should be treated with peroxide.

But further actions will be problematic if everything happened far from civilization and no one has a veterinary first aid kit lying around. If your cat does not tolerate the bite well, she needs an anti-inflammatory drug. In this case, the best options would be Prednisolone or Dexamethasone. It’s good if the medicine comes in the form of injections. Because feeding the tablet to an animal that has increased salivation and violence will be problematic. In addition, the injection works much faster.

The injections must be repeated for three days at intervals of 12 hours. In addition, cats will still experience itching, which they will scratch with their claws. Therefore, the wound must be constantly treated. Ideally, it would be good to limit the animal’s access to the affected area of ​​the body by bandaging. At the same time, you need to understand that such bandages on the cats’ bodies do not last long.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the drug Benadryl, which has “pulled countless cats and kittens out of the dead.” This is an antiallergic drug that will help the animal not to suffocate and will get the cat back on its feet within 24 hours. It should be available always and everywhere, even if the owner is not sure of his pet’s allergic reactions.

Cat treatment

The bite goes away completely within a week. Pain and swelling gradually change. There is a risk of secondary infection if the pet begins to scratch the itchy wounds. To avoid suppuration and the development of ulcers, wounds after a bite should be treated daily to reduce itching.

It is allowed to use topical creams and ointments: Zvezdochka balm, Fenistil Gel, Beinval. Or use folk remedies:

• juice of fresh parsley leaves;
• leaf of plantain, yarrow;
• dandelion roots;
• lemon slice;
• a piece of raw potato;
• tansy decoction;
• aloe juice;
• chopped onion, garlic;
• salty water.

Medicines are applied to the skin, lotions and compresses are made. If the situation does not improve within 3 days, you should seek help from a specialist. In most cases, to alleviate the suffering of a pet, it is enough to provide first aid and monitor the cat’s well-being for several days.

More about hornets

The video in this article informs you that the above insects are nicknamed paper insects because of their habit of making nests using paper, which they produce from old wood fibers and sticky saliva. In order to distinguish a hornet's nest from the nests of other types of wasps, you just need to look at its color: it will be brown, not gray, as in all other cases.

Most often, their nests can be found in hollows, buildings for human habitation or beehives. In tropical climates, hornets prefer to hang their nests from the vines of grapes or other types of trees.

It should be noted that such a neighborhood can be very dangerous not only for people, but also for animals living nearby.

Sticky saliva

In appearance, the hornet is quite similar to an ordinary wasp, although the crown of its head is larger and its abdomen more rounded.

These insects feed on other species, among which it is worth highlighting:

• flies;
• bees;
• caterpillars;
• ants;
• small wasps

Despite this, due to their size, powerful jaw strength and the presence of venom, they easily resist grasshoppers, locusts or large wasps. They can chew them completely, as a result of which the killed insects become a nutritious suspension for their larvae.

A real feast

In addition, their diet consists of a sweet secretion secreted by herbivorous insects, fruit juice, honeydew and flower nectar, since adults need a lot of sugar. They often feed on overripe fruits, sometimes completely immersing themselves in the pulp.

That is why it is better not to pick overripe fruits in the gardens, since a hornet, which cannot be seen, can bite.

How a hornet bites

Hornets, like wasps, do not attack people without reason. This usually happens when it comes to protecting the hive or one’s own life. Circumstances that can provoke a hornet attack:

• Threat of nest destruction. Hornets jealously guard their home, near which “guards” always fly, warning the swarm of possible danger by making special sounds. When you come across a hornet nest, you should not show curiosity, try to poke it with a stick or other objects, stick your hands inside or bring your face closer.

  Hornet

• Mechanical impact. When encountering an insect, it is necessary to remain calm as much as possible and not to wave your arms or make other sudden movements. Often the hornet stings people who, without noticing it, step on or sit on a hidden insect. An equally common situation is when a hornet enters a person’s mouth along with a bitten-off piece of watermelon or ice cream. If a hornet stings its victim while in the mouth, then the risk of swelling of the larynx and respiratory tract increases. Such an injury may be incompatible with life for the victim.

It is important not to ignore children, who often do not even know whether hornets bite, and may suffer due to their curiosity by discovering a wasp nest and disturbing its inhabitants.

You should not fight a hornet colony discovered in your dacha on your own. Numerous bites can be very harmful to health. It is more prudent to entrust the elimination of the nest to specialists who have special clothing and the necessary equipment for this.

Calm and smooth movements can save you from a hornet bite. If a hornet lands on your hand or clothing, it is better not to breathe for a few seconds and try not to move so as not to disturb the insect. The hornet stings when it is scared or angry; without a visible threat, he will not attack first.

Hornet poison

Attention! These representatives of social wasps have 2.5 times more venom than a bee, and it is believed that 7 hornet stings kill a horse, and 3 kill a person. In fact, it all depends on the type of insect, the person’s immune system, age and the presence/absence of an allergic reaction.

The hornet's sting is quite painful, as up to 2 mg of poison enters the wound of the victim. Like other wasps, the hornet is endowed with the ability to attack its prey several times in a row, thereby inflicting multiple bites. The toxic substance causes burns, which is especially dangerous if the poison gets into the eyes and mucous membranes of a person.

Since this insect eats protein waste and does not disdain carrion, it can, among other things, be a carrier of infections.

What does a hornet look like and its bite, consequences

The hornet is a member of the wasp family. Its main external difference from its fellows is its size, due to which it is considered the largest species among hymenopteran insects. On the territory of Russia, the most common representative of this family is the common hornet, reaching an average length of 4 cm and weighing about 200 g.

Hornet sting

After being stung by a hornet, a victim experiences a toxic reaction, expressed by the appearance of a small blister, local redness and pain at the site of the intended bite.

If the bite occurs in the face, mucous membranes, lymph nodes or large vessels, then the toxic substance enters the bloodstream and has a toxic effect on the nervous system.

The consequences for a person who is bitten by a hornet can be quite tragic and even fatal. The species of this insect living in the southeastern regions of Asia are especially dangerous to human life.

Japan leads in the number of deaths caused by hornets. Every summer, Japanese doctors record more than 60 fatal bites.

Additional Information! Every year on the planet, twice as many people die from wasp and hornet bites than from poisonous snakes.

If you are stung by a hornet, the following symptoms are observed:

• a sharp drop in blood pressure;
• difficulty breathing;
• spasms of the gastrointestinal tract;
• disturbance and disappearance of the pulse;
• pallor of the skin.

The possibility of an allergic reaction cannot be ruled out. In this case, the feeling of itching in the bite area intensifies and swelling of the skin begins. Painful sensations can last from a couple of minutes to several hours.

Note! When exposed to temperature (bath, sauna, solarium), the body's reaction can appear even several days after the bite.

What does a cat bite look like?

After the bite, two puncture wounds from the fangs remain

Domestic cats have a jaw of 30 teeth, and only four fangs: two on the upper jaw and two on the lower. Only fangs contain a threat to humans. The remaining teeth have little that can be bitten and damaged. But even these 4 fangs are enough to cause serious injury to a person.

Being in the wild, the cat plunges two fangs into the vertebra of the caught prey, thereby paralyzing its future dinner.

In normal home life, pets are not so cruel and do not bite through the vertebrae of their owners, but they can actively bite into an arm or leg, burying their fangs deep under the skin, damaging tendons, muscle tissue and causing infection.

In this case, the bite looks like two points on the human body, and due to the depth of the wound, it subsequently swells and takes a long time to heal. Cat bites are like a puncture wound from something long and sharp, like a blow from an awl or a thick needle.

Important: The openings of the bite wound are small, which makes it difficult to treat and treat the wound.

What to do to prevent a hornet from biting you

What to do to prevent an encounter with an insect from taking place: safety rules.

1. You should not touch the found nest, and you should not approach the hornets’ abode.
2. You shouldn’t liquidate a find without special clothing or equipment—and without experience.
3. When approaching, do not wave your arms or make sudden movements: this will convince the attacker of the need to attack.
4. In places where insects accumulate, it is important not to use deodorants or perfumes: scents attract insects.
5. During picnics and vacations, it is important to pay attention to desserts and sweet drinks: hornets flock to them as if they were sweets! What to do? Sweets and drinks should be hermetically packaged and covered: it is no coincidence that stings in the palate, lips, and larynx are common.
6. It is worth using repellents, and not using untested “folk” ones: many smells attract, but many are powerless as a deterrent. Thus, the hornet is attracted to the “Zvezdochka” balm and many aromatic oils. According to reviews, lavender and citrus oils recommended in “helpful tips” do not work.

Let these simple rules help you survive a hornet bite without unpleasant consequences - or reduce the likelihood of meeting a winged enemy.

Who are hornets

They are the largest representatives of the wasp family. The peculiarity of insects is their size: the body length is 2–3 cm, in some individuals it is more than 5 cm, and the wingspan is up to 8 cm. Hornets differ from each other in the color of their heads - all shades of yellow and orange are found. They live in a colony with a complex hierarchical structure, where each individual clearly fulfills its caste role. Such a system perfectly organizes the construction of the hive and its protection, nutrition and the reproduction process.

Because of their size, hornets have received interesting names: in Japan - “sparrow-bee”, in Taiwan - “bee-tiger”.

The hornet's sting is smooth and easily leaves the victim's body.