Pets Heading Outside This Summer? How To Identify Spider Bites On Them

Posted on: 25 June 2020

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Summer is almost here. That means spiders will be coming out of the woodwork. If you have pets, you need to be concerned. Pets are curious by nature. That means they'll be nosing around the yard looking for things to find. All that curiosity increases the chances they'll find a spider. That also increases the chances they'll get bit. If a non-poisonous spider bites your pet, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. But, if your pet comes in contact with a poisonous spider, you'll need to act fast. Unfortunately, spider bites aren't easy to recognize. That's because your pet can't tell you they've been bitten. That's why you need to be able to recognize spider bites. Here are four ways you can tell if your pet's been bitten by a poisonous spider. 

Your Pet has Developed a Limp

If your pet has a limp when they come in from the yard, check their legs. They may have stepped on a sticker. Or, they may have twisted their leg while they were playing. If you can't find an obvious reason for the limp, start checking for bite marks. There's a chance that the limp is caused by a spider bite. If you see signs of a bite on the affected limb, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. 

Your Pet has an Unusual Mark

If your pet acts sick after spending time outside, check their body. Spider bites can cause diarrhea and vomiting in otherwise healthy animals. In fact, vomiting is often one of the first signs of a spider bite. This is especially true with poisonous spiders. That's because the poison is pumping through your pet's blood stream. If your pet has developed a sudden bout of sickness, you want to look for unusual marks. These marks may look like bulls eyes or blisters. If you see those marks on your pet, get to a veterinarian immediately. 

Your Pet has a Sudden Fever

If your pet suddenly feels hot, take their temperature. If they have a temperature, watch for other signs of sickness. Your pet may have come down with a stomach bug. If your pet has a fever without other signs of illness, talk to their veterinarian. This is especially important if your pet was outside before they came down with the fever. 

Summer's almost here. Don't take chances with your pet's health. If you think your pet's been bitten by a spider, look for the symptoms described above. If you see any of these symptoms, take your pet to a veterinarian right away.