The muscle spasms and severe pain will be controlled by intravenous administration of medications that will relax the muscles and bring relief from pain, allowing your dog to rest and recover from the spider poison. It has been a month since and the site continues to drain and have some skin discoloration. Your veterinarian will be looking for wounds to the skin, at which point a bite mark may be found. If you suspect your dog or cat were bitten by a black widow spider, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for life-saving care. Female black widow spiders typically are 2-2.5 cm in length, are black, shiny, and have an orange or red hourglass mark on their underside. These spiders carry a potent venom which is a neurotoxin (a-latrotoxin). If this happens, take the spider with you to the veterinarian. Black Widow Spider Poisoning Average Cost, From 66 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000. Muscle rigidity and abdominal rigidity are classic signs of black widow envenomation. The type of venom that black widows produce is called a protein called a-latrotoxin. Black Widow Spider Bite Poisoning in Dogs, How to Keep Giant Dog Breeds Healthy at Every Life Stage, How to Keep Medium-Sized Dogs Healthy at Every Life Stage, Severe muscle pain in the back, chest and abdomen, manifested by howling, whining and loud vocalizations, Trouble breathing, respiratory collapse due to abdominal muscle paralysis, Death, if anti-venom treatment is not given quickly, Very young or old dogs are at increased risk of severe reactions because of weaker immune systems, Dogs with systemic high blood pressure are at increased risk for a fatal outcome. They are found in every state except Alaska and are often found residing around buildings and human habitations. A complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis is likely to be done at this time as well to rule out other disorders with the same symptoms. I agree to Pet Poison Helpline's use of cookies on this website. It is important for pet owners to be aware of the fact that these arachnids can also cause serious harm or even death to a dog. The Western widow is found in western regions of the United Sates; the Northern widow is found in the northernmost U.S. and southeast Canada; and the Southern widow is found in the southeast U.S., from Florida to New York and into many of the southwest states. Males are brown and lack the hourglass mark, and are generally considered non-toxic due to the small size of fang/bite. Other symptoms have a delayed onset of 30 minutes to two hours and can include: It is not unusual for the canine to vomit up the spider.
It is found mainly in the southeastern United States, although it shares some territory with the western black widow, Western black widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus. A number of factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.)
We use cookies for our legitimate interests of providing you with personalized content, enabling you to more easily use our website, evaluating use of our website, and assisting with ad reporting functions.
She is shiny black with a red or red-orange hourglass shaped mark on the underside of her abdomen, and in some females, there is also a patch of red on the top of the abdomen, above the spinnerets. Black widows are highly poisonous; fortunately, they bite humans only when disturbed. The latrotoxin that has developed to target vertebrates is called a-latrotoxin. His vet believes that he has neuro issues and should get an MRI at a Vet Neuro Center. My vet has had no further recommendations beyond if it does not improved eventually we may have to do surgery to excise the skin/damaged tissue in the area. According to National Geographic, black widows are considered the most venomous spider in North America. may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. My Basenji had black widow spider bite over two months ago, and his right back limb still drags. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
Found in the western U.S., it is very similar to the southern black widow but mainly found in the western regions of the U.S. I am hopeful to eventually see it heal but have been given no tools other than keep it clean. It is black with the red hourglass pattern on the female’s abdomen. This disease is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may be caused by other diseases.
Due to the severe nature of the toxin and the need for constant monitoring your pet may be at the hospital for several days. Female black widow spiders typically are 2-2.5 cm in length, are black, shiny, and have an orange or red hourglass mark on their underside. I do treat it with a warm Epsom Salt water compress twice a day. Anti-venom drugs are available and your veterinarian will administer them while monitoring carefully for reactions. In the U.S., the three significant species of Latrodectus, or widow spiders, to watch for are the Western widow, the Northern widow, and the Southern widow spiders, all of which are highly venomous to domestic pets and humans. My 100 lb GSD was bitten on the butt by a Black Widow Spider. If the dog was bitten in the house you will want to inspect the house for further infestation, for your pet’s protection and your own. Symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, and insomnia may persist for several weeks. Your veterinarian will likely want to check the site again on a weekly or more basis to ensure that it heals fully. Diarrhea / Licking / Pain / Seizures / Vomiting / Weakness, Skin Ulcer and Depigmentation (Immune-Related), Pneumonia Due to Overactive Immune Response. Found in the western U.S., it is very similar to the southern black widow but mainly found in the western regions of the U.S. Keeping the recuperating patient in a calm and quiet environment and ensuring that food and water are easily available will speed the healing process for your dog. determine what is toxic to a particular pet. A dog may be bitten while indoors or outdoors, as black widows are known to frequent both. Unfortunately, black widows can be found throughout the Sacramento area, so you need to be aware of how to identify them in order to protect your four-legged companion. A dog may be bitten while indoors or outdoors, as black widows are known to frequent both. Most varieties can be identified by a distinctive red hourglass on their abdomen, although it may have a more broken or rod-shaped look in certain species. Once it is absorbed into the blood stream it causes involuntary muscle spasms and severe pain as it targets the nerve endings. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis, as well as a thorough physical exam of your dog. The content of this page is not veterinary advice. These toxins are specialized to target either insects, crustaceans, or vertebrates such as us.
Found exclusively in Florida until around 2000 when they began to spread, this spider is brown with an orange hourglass and although their venom is just as potent they deliver less of it in their bite than the black widow relatives.
Common in the northern U.S., its hourglass is not joined and resembles large spots on its abdomen. Other toxins and disorders that may initially present with similar symptoms could include macadamia nuts, intervertebral disc disease, or a central nervous system neoplasia. My dog bonito was bit my a black widow. Treatment includes the use of an antivenom, IV fluids, anti-seizure medications, pain medications, and symptomatic supportive care. The prognosis may be uncertain for days. Spiders in the widow family are equipped with a potent neurotoxin that can cause painful cramping, seizures, and possibly death. Bites may be dry, with no venom injected. No one dog is more at risk than another, but young and old dogs are at an increased risk for complications due to their weaker immune systems. Only mature females are large enough to deliver the venom. Black widow spiders (Lactrodectus spp), which are found throughout North American (except for Alaska), are poisonous to dogs and cats. The male is not regarded as a threat, as it is typically the female that bites. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM. The venom is a potent neurotoxin, opening channels at the presynaptic nerve terminal and causing massive release of acetylcholine and norepinephrine, both of which can cause sustained muscular spasms and paralysis. Although most animals recover within 48-72 hours, residual weakness, fatigue, and insomnia may continue for several weeks. Dogs may also be more likely to be bitten by a black widow if they encounter one because they don't have innate fear or disdain of spiders and may keep poking at it, trying to play with it. The vet treated her with antibiotics for one week and the swelling responded immediately. Southern black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans), This is the most common widow spider. The male is significantly smaller, about half the size, with light brown coloring, and lacking the red hourglass marking the female is recognized for. She initially got a large boil, that opened and drained. This spider is a threatened species of widow found in central and southern Florida.