Muscle Symptoms in a Cat Stung by a Wasp

Cats love exploring the outdoors, but sometimes experience an unpleasant side of nature in the form of a wasp sting. Cats often experience stings on or around their faces, but may also experience multiple stings on the flanks, legs and belly if a wasp is stuck in their fur. Your cat will exhibit some telling signs if a wasp stings it.

  1. Muscle Swelling and Itching

    • The consequence of a wasp stinging your cat can range from mildly annoying to life-threatening. When a wasp stings its victim, it injects venom into the skin as a self-defense mechanism. The venom irritates local muscle tissue, causing swelling and itching. In large quantities, venom can cause systemic reactions. Your cat may experience swelling in the face if a wasp stings it on the nose. Your cat may have difficulty breathing if the swelling spreads to the mucous membranes in its throat.

    Anaphylactic Shock

    • Anaphylactic shock can result from an allergic reaction to a wasp sting. A sudden onset of dramatic swelling in the face, weakness, wheezing, shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, drop in body temperature and unconsciousness are common symptoms of anaphylactic shock. If you suspect your cat had a run-in with a wasp, and it demonstrates any of these symptoms, take it to your veterinarian immediately.

    Lack of Heartbeat

    • Allergic reactions to wasp stings can cause the heart muscle to stop beating. To check your cat's heartbeat, put your palm or ear against the left side of its chest, right behind its elbow. Your cat's heart is still beating if you can feel a pulse in the crease where the cat's hind leg meets the body. If you are unable to locate a heartbeat, and your cat is not breathing, start administering CPR.