What Should You Do When Your Cat Sets Off A Hornet's Nest?

Posted on: 14 September 2016

Cats have a tendency to find difficult and dangerous situations and then insert themselves right in the middle of it. In most cases, their natural agility and survival instincts carry them through their adventures unscathed. Sometimes, however, your pet may bite off more than it can chew. If your cat has recently angered hornets' nest, you may be wondering how serious the insects' stings are and how you should respond. These four steps should help you assess your cat's condition and know when it's time to call your local emergency veterinary service. 

Get Your Cat to Safety

Whenever your cat is injured, your first priority should be to get both yourself and your pet to a safe and secure location. Do not endanger yourself to rescue your cat from a hornets' nest, particularly if you do not know your allergy status. With any luck, your cat will need no encouragement to flee the stinging insects and head home to safety. 

Check the Damage

Once your cat is indoors and calm, look it over to get an idea of the severity of the stings. Long-haired cats may still have insects stuck in their fur, and these bugs may attempt to sting your cat, so check cautiously. If there are more than one or two stings, or if your cat is visibly swelling or uncomfortable, it may be best to take your cat to an emergency vet immediately to be safe and manage the pain. 

Monitor Your Cat for Swelling

If you decide to wait, keep a close eye on your cat for the next few days. Visible swelling is common and usually harmless after cats get stung, but it can also lead to allergic reactions and blocked airways, and your vet should have a look at any large bumps. When a cat is only stung once or twice, it will usually recover on its own over the course of a day or two. 

Know When to Head for the Vet's Office

Extreme swelling, difficulty breathing, severe lethargy, crying, or other atypical behaviors are all a sign to visit an emergency service animal care facility as soon as possible. Too many stings can be dangerous, if not fatal, so never simply assume that your cat will recover without issue. Additionally, keep your pet's pain levels in mind when deciding whether or not to act; many cats hide their discomfort as a survival mechanism, and their behavior may not reflect what they are actually feeling. By taking your pet to the emergency vet like Columbine Animal Hospital & Emergency Clinic as soon as you are aware of the problem, you may be saving your cat from a long and painful recovery or sudden anaphylactic shock. 

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