ABSTRACT

Pet dogs and cats that are victims of stings from bees, wasps, hornets, and ants or bites from spiders are rarely presented to veterinarians for medical care. Owners do not typically seek veterinary advice even when they have witnessed the bite or sting because the lesions are usually mild and seldom have a fatal result. Spider bites primarily occur on prehensile areas, such as the face and forepaws. Bites from brown recluse spiders are noted for their dermonecrotic effects that result in a slow-healing ulcerative lesion. The diagnosis of a black widow spider bite is based on the presence of the spider and appropriate clinical signs. There are more than 1500 species of scorpions worldwide and most are capable of inflicting painful stings without systemic effects. The hemodynamic effects of scorpion envenomation occur in two phases, the inotropic phase and the hypokinetic phase.