Do Spiders Cause Paralysis in Dogs?

Your dog's health and well-being are a top priority. You do your best to provide adequate nutrition and exercise. But you might be concerned about factors over which you have no control. A tiny spider bite has the potential to cause drastic medical conditions, one of them being paralysis. Not every spider is capable of inflicting such damage. The most common spider responsible for this symptom and injury is the black widow spider.

  1. Background Information on the Black Widow Spider

    • The black widow spider has a very distinctive look when compared to other spiders. It is quite large, almost 1.5 inches including the leg span. The males and females have shiny black bodies. Females tend to have rounder, thicker abdomens and also have the defining red hourglass shape imprinted on the underside of their torsos. Male black widow spiders rarely attack. The females are responsible for the bites. They are usually very shy, but they will attack when they feel threatened.

    Black Widow Bite

    • Black widow spiders are venomous. Their venom contains a toxin called α-autotoxin. This particular toxin works against the nerve endings and muscles connected to respiration. The venom causes severe pain, muscle spasms and contractions. If your dog receives immediate veterinary care, it should be fine. But if the bite goes unnoticed, there could be several complications, including paralysis.

    Symptoms

    • Your dog might not even notice that it has been bitten, or it could experience an intense burning pain immediately upon being bitten. This will depend on where the dog was bitten, whether your dog is highly sensitive to the toxin, and how bad the bite actually was. The pain quickly travels to the closest lymph nodes. Your dog may begin experiencing any of the following symptoms within a 48-hour period: severe muscle pain, muscle tensing, seizure, trouble breathing, increased heart rate and paralysis. Since your dog isn't able to communicate any of these symptoms, you should seek veterinary care immediately if your dog appears distressed or in severe pain.

    Help

    • You need to visit the veterinary clinic immediately. Only a professional can diagnosis the severity of the bite. Most veterinarian clinics do not have antivenin on hand due to high costs. But the veterinarian will be able to contact the local hospital and obtain some for your dog if the dog needs it.

    Prevention

    • Knowing that a spider bite can cause death and paralysis to your pet means that prevention is key. If you live in an area where there are black widow spiders, you need to be extra cautious. Keep garages and basements clutter-free, since spiders hide and create webs in these areas. If you notice any spider webs, vacuum them up immediately. Black widow spiders will die during the process. Seal all boxes and storage areas as tightly as possible. Black widows prefer dark, quiet places, so install lights in attics, basements, and garages. Keep these areas as clean as possible, and you should avoid a run-in with a black widow.