Halloween brings to mind spooky creatures like ghosts, cobwebs, and creepy-crawly spiders. But for pets, especially cats, the real scare comes from black widow spider bites, which can have serious consequences. According to experts at Pet Poison Helpline, diagnosing these bites can be tricky, but they remain a threat year-round, not just in the fall.
"Although severe reactions to black widow spider bites are relatively rare in humans, pets can be more adversely affected, especially cats," said Dr. Renee Schmid, senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. “With the thick hair most pets have, it is difficult to find an actual bite wound, and so your veterinarian often has to base the diagnosis on symptoms, rather than knowing an actual cause."
One pet owner had no doubt his kitten, Elsy, had encountered a black widow after finding a spider in her vomit. "We recently received a call from a Reno-area pet owner who found a black widow spider in his kitten's vomit," Dr. Schmid shared. Fortunately, the kitten wasn't bitten before consuming the spider, avoiding what could have been a more serious outcome.
For other pet owners, like John Ellsworth from Vancouver, Canada, the cause of his cat's symptoms wasn't as clear. After Ice Cream, his cat, crawled under a shed and emerged unsteady and struggling to breathe, veterinarians initially suspected a black widow bite. Further examination, however, revealed a stinger in the cat's throat, likely from a bee or hornet.
Spider bites can cause a range of reactions in pets, including swelling, pain, vomiting, fever, and even organ failure. Cats and horses, in particular, are highly susceptible to black widow venom, and a single bite can be fatal in severe cases.
"Although spiders are front and center during Halloween, they are a danger throughout the year," Dr. Schmid cautioned. "Most people think that spiders disappear in cold locations, when in fact they go into a state known as overwintering. Your pets can still find them in barns, sheds, or even in your home."
If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a venomous spider, it's essential to contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. With the right treatment, many pets make full recoveries, as highlighted in Pet Poison Helpline’s “Toxin Tails” series, which educates pet lovers about poisoning dangers and success stories.
So, while Halloween may be filled with creepy decorations, the real threat to your pets may be lurking in unseen corners year-round. Stay vigilant and keep your pets safe from hidden dangers.
Photo by Impact Dog Crates
About Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. Per incident and subscription service options are available. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified toxicologists provide treatment advice for all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $85 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the case. The company also offers pethelpline(SM) and pethelplinePRO(SM) subscription services directly to pet lovers. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
