My Cat Got Stung by a Bee

Insects are more present during the warmer months of the year. Bees and wasps are no exception. They are known as being prolific pollinators, so they are particularly drawn to flowerbeds or any place with flowering plants. While they won't go out of their way to threaten our cat, they pose a risk due to their ability to sting. This risk is increased by the fact our cat may try to swallow one of these insects.

We may not be able to see if a cat is stung by bee when it happens. Since we don't monitor their every move, it might not be until we see the cat show signs of pain that we know what happened. We can confirm the injury if we see the stinger still in their skin as it breaks off a bee when they sting an animal. The same does not usually happen with wasps as their stinger tends to remain attached to their bodies.

The sting in itself will cause pain, but it won't be deadly to a cat. There are two main exceptions. Firstly, if the animal is allergic to bee stings, the reactions can be severe and send the cat into anaphylactic shock. Secondly, if the cat ingests the bee, they can sting them internally. This can cause localized swelling. This is not usually dangerous when it happens to external skin, but internally it can close airways if it affects the respiratory tract.

Bee venom is called apitoxin and is secreted in greater quantities by females from glands near the base of the stinger. They use it when threatened. Once the bee releases this poison on its victim, the bee dies. Wasps have a similar sing which combines formic acid with a neurotoxin. However, they do not die when they sting and can sting a cat multiple times.

Bees and wasps aren't the only insects bees try to eat. To learn more, take a look at our article on can a cat get worms eating flies?

When you see your cat got stung by a bee, the first thing you will need to do is observe them closely. This can be the difference between life and death in some cases. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Observe the cat for any of the clinical signs we have mentioned.
2. Look for the stinger to remove it. The stinger can continue to inject venom for several minutes after the sting takes place. This stinger looks like a small black splinter.
3. The extraction must be done carefully, scraping it with a fingernail or similar hard material. Contrary to what may seem reasonable, don't extract it with tweezers as it can release more venom into the sting.
4. Afterwards, a cold compress should be applied to the area in order to reduce inflammation. Do this every 5 minutes for at least an hour after the cat is stung.
5. To reduce pain, you can use a mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda, mixing three parts of bicarbonate to one part water. This neutralizes the acidity of the bee venom, but we need to be sure our cat was stung by a bee and not a wasp. Wasp stings are alkaline, so they should be treated with apple cider vinegar for neutralization. If the stinger remains in the skin, it is likely due to a bee and not a wasp.

This is first aid for cats which have been stung externally by a bee, but do not have an allergic reaction. In the latter case, it is important we go immediately to a veterinary clinic. This is especially so if there is bee sting in a cat's mouth. Since the bee venom can close off parts of the respiratory system, there is the possibility of asphyxiation which can be fatal. As an emergency situation, it requires emergency treatment. We explain more about this below.

Despite the presence of inflammation, you should not medicate your cat on your own with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or any NSAIDs used in human medicine. They are toxic to cats and would only worsen the clinical picture. Likewise, essential oils should not be used, given their toxicity in cats.

If a cat ingests a bee, they can become harmed whether they are alive or dead. A dead bee will still have venom in their sting, often resulting in envenomation since the digestive tract can push it into various tissues. Different repercussions occur depending on whether it affects the cat's upper or lower gastrointestinal tract:

• Upper GI tract: the bee sting can cause swelling and inflammation that can constrict tissues around the airways, potentially resulting in asphyxiation. This can be fatal and will require immediate veterinary attention.
• Lower GI tract: if the bee stings tissues lower down, it won't compromise the respiratory tract directly, but it can result in significant gastrointestinal issues.

Regardless of whether a bee or wasp stings a cat in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract, there is always a risk of anaphylaxis if the cat has a sensitivity to their venom. If it happens near the respiratory tract, the swelling can directly affect breathing and cause respiratory distress. In any case, you should go to the veterinary center to start treatment urgently if your cat ingests a bee.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the reaction in the cat. Antihistamines may be administered to slow the reaction of the cat's immune system. These may be administered intravenously. Intravenous fluid therapy may be given to stabilize blood pressure and ensure hydration. Steroids may be given to control the inflammation, especially if airways are restricted. If their airways are closed, they may be intubated to allow oxygen to enter the lungs.

Learn about what to expect if a cat encounters another type of invertebrate with our article on what to do if a cat is stung by a scorpion.

To prevent your cat from being stung by a bee or wasp, you can try to limit their outside time during the warmer months. This is more important if your cat has an allergy to bee stings. In other cases, it may be better for the cat's overall health to let them be outside. Since bees and wasps can enter the home, we can also use mosquito nets and other barriers to prevent them from entering inside areas. Insect repellants and diffusers can also be used.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Cat Got Stung by a Bee, we recommend you visit our First aid category.