What happens if a black widow bites your dog

The adult female of this species is what you need to be primarily concerned with. Fortunately, they are easy to recognize because their underside is marked with a red hourglass shape and they have a bulbous abdomen that is dark black. You can help protect your dog from ever having to deal with this highly painful and dangerous situation by keeping them away from your garage, shed, and basement, especially when you will not be able to keep a close eye on them.

Make sure that you are vigilant about removing spider webs on a regular basis, and work at keeping your home clutter free to provide a less welcoming environment for the black widow spider. If you see black widow spiders on your property, contact Barrier Pest Solutions at to schedule an extermination of this unwanted pest. March 14, 4 min read 0 Comments. When thinking about insects that can cause health problems in dogs and cats, common ectoparasites like flea or ticks usually come to mind.

These are often easily identified because fleas like to live on their furry hosts, and ticks remain attached to their hosts for several days while feeding. Flea and ticks are parasitic insects that require hosts to complete their life cycle. Most spiders would very much like to hide away from other animals, but there may be situations when a spider bite occurs. Almost all species of spider inject venom into their bites, but the amount of venom that is injected is very small.

For black widow spiders, however, even the tiniest amount of venom can cause serious health problems. What happens when a dog gets bitten by a black widow spider, and what can you do about it? Black widow spiders Latrodectus mactans are tiny insects that are only three to ten millimeters long.

They can be dark gray to black in color, and mature spiders have the classic red hourglass shape on their abdomens. Younger spiders, however, may not develop this pattern until later in life. Black widow spiders favor warm, temperate climates like those in the southern United States. The difference is that venoms are only toxic when absorbed into the bloodstream. If your dog eats a spider, the venom inside it is broken down by stomach acid just like any other protein. All dogs can get spider bites.

Older pups may have worse reactions due to weakened immune systems. The good news is, there are some things you can do to ward off insects and dangerous spiders altogether. Clean out any areas of your home or backyard where spiders and other insects could be hiding. We recommend not leaving your dog unattended in these areas, like basements or sheds. The smartest thing you can do if your pup gets bit is to watch them for worsening symptoms of spider bites.

Go to the vet if your dog displays pain, trouble walking, or irregularities in their activity. They might need an antivenin. Learn how to recognize and treat the syndrome in your pet. Has your pooch come down with a case of the sniffles? It might be a sinus infection. Hair loss in dogs can be common but the reasons why this happens vary widely. Use this guide to get to the root cause and get help for Fido. When you click on our chosen products, we may receive a commission.

Learn more. The essentials Life-threatening spider bites are very rare— There are only two species of spider that can cause real harm, and it rarely ever happens. Plus, if you see a bite, chances are it came from a mosquito, flea, or another biting insect.

Spider bites explained Before worrying yourself about the various kinds of bites that can affect your pup, stay calm. How to distinguish venomous spider bites from nonvenomous spider bites There are a few symptoms of spider bites to look out for when differentiating types of bites.

How to distinguish venomous bites Black widow. Basic treatment. Start by cleaning the area using plain soap, water, and a cold compress or ice pack. If you notice any swelling around the area, elevate the limb. Potato poultice. Slice up a potato and put the pieces into a cloth. If you're wondering why your dog is so itchy or keeps nipping at something on his body, spread the hair and have a look at it.

If there's a red bump or a bite mark, clean it with soap and water. You can also wash your furry pal with a soothing oatmeal shampoo to help soothe the irritation. Then watch your pup for any side effects that may indicate he was bitten by a venomous spider. Note: Don't ice the bite. With certain bites, it can actually make it worse," Roberts warns. The way tissues are repaired is through blood flow.

If you ice that area, you're actually creating more tissue that the venom can affect. If you notice signs of a venomous spider bite or your dog keeps biting or scratching the area, it's time to see a veterinarian. Even if it wasn't a brown recluse or black widow spider bite, skin that's been broken open by scratching or biting can become infected. Your veterinarian can administer anti-itch medication such as a steroid and may also recommend an antihistamine or antibiotic, if the wound is infected.

Your pup may get an e-collar too to keep him from going after the affected area. Venomous spider bites definitely require medical attention.