Cats are natural hunters, and sometimes they stalk the wrong prey - especially when it comes to wasps. A wasp's sting may mean painful swelling at the sting site for your cat. Knowing how to care for a cat with a wasp sting will help your cat remain comfortable and heal more quickly.
1.) Treat The Sting Site
When your cat has been stung, the first step is to locate the injury. Swelling allows you to locate the sting wound quickly, but not all cats will show signs of swelling immediately. If your cat doesn't have a visible indication of the sting, watch their behavior.
A cat that has been stung may limp if they were stung on the leg or paw. Excessive grooming or pawing at a location are other indicators of the sting's location.
Once you find the sting site, look for a stinger. If you find one, it's important to scrape the stinger away. You don't want to use tweezers as stingers have toxins in them. The tweezers will force more of the toxin into your cat.
When no stinger is present, you can gently wipe the wound with a cloth and cool water to cleanse it.
2.) Give Diphenhydramine If Necessary
Diphenhydramine is an over-the-counter oral antihistamine that may help control the swelling associated with wasp stings. However, it does have a bitter flavor that your cat may not enjoy. The liquid form of diphenhydramine is the easiest one to give your cat, and it can be mixed with a little gravy from a tin of wet food to tame the flavor.
When buying diphenhydramine, it's important to make sure it's the only active ingredient. Sometimes, diphenhydramine is sold mixed with a pain reliever that can be highly toxic to your cat. You should contact your vet before giving your cat a medicine to ensure you're giving them the proper dose for their size and condition.
3.) Monitor Your Cat
After you've treated the sting site, you should monitor your cat. Watch for any signs your cat is experiencing distress. If your cat is suddenly lethargic, wheezing, or struggling to breathe, you need to go to the vet immediately. These are all signs of a severe allergic reaction to the sting.
Many cats won't experience an uncontrolled allergic reaction, but they will be experiencing discomfort from the sting. In addition to keeping an eye out for signs of an allergic reaction, you'll want to make sure your cat is eating and drinking appropriately.
4.) Contact Your Veterinarian
Even if you don't think an appointment is necessary, you should contact your veterinarian. They can advise you of steps you can take at home to make your cat comfortable while it heals.
If while monitoring your cat if you see any signs of a severe allergic reaction, it is a veterinary emergency. You should reach out to your vet or an animal hospital immediately.
A vet is someone who is there for your pet from their early years until their last years. When your pet is young, a vet can give them the vaccines they need for disease prevention as they become acquainted with the world. As your pet ages, your vet can monitor them for the conditions that often come with old age, such as arthritis and cancer. Vets care about their patients. We hope you will learn more about this care as you browse the content on this blog. We do our best to offer well-researched and helpful information for pet owners like you.