The welcome months of spring and summer bring lush green lawns, warm days, pleasant nights, fragrant flowers and thoughts of relaxing vacations. Unfortunately, they also bring those ever-present and annoying insects and creatures of all kinds.
We humans are used to shielding ourselves from insects and reptiles in a variety of ways, to avoid being stung or bitten. Our pets, however, are unaware that these unwelcome pests can become a source of danger.
As the provider of the Cat Fanciers' Association Pet Healthcare Plan, we at PetPartners, Inc. see an increased number of claims regarding stings, bites and other issues related to warmer weather. If you can make yourself aware of some of the dangers these wonders of summer can cause, you might be able to avoid potential pain and suffering for your feline best friend.
Even a cat that is exclusively an 'indoor cat,' can encounter insects, spiders, ticks and fleas - and sometimes even snakes -- that make their way into your home through windows, pipes, vents and even on your shoes when you come indoors. As pet owners, we need to be constantly vigilant about things that can injure our four-legged friends or make them sick. Even nibbling on flowers or bulbs can result in costly veterinary expenses.
Defense Strategies
When warm weather arrives, out come fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, bees, yellow jackets, fire ants and snakes, sometimes armies of them. They are all ready to attack us -- and our cats -- infest our homes and cause itching, illness or even death
in some situations. The best way to combat these pests is to prevent or avoid them in the first place.
Discuss with your veterinarian the safest products or procedures to use toward preventing these unwanted guests. Some common preventive methods include:
Be on the Alert for Stings
If you suspect that your pet has been stung or bitten by an insect, it’s always best to call your veterinarian immediately for advice on what to do.
Cats are most often stung on their face or paws and these stings can be extremely painful -- sometimes you can’t immediately tell what is wrong. A cat that has been stung will often become agitated, run around shaking his head or pawing at his collar. If stung in or around his mouth or throat, swelling can constrict your cat’s airway and be life-threatening. Multiple stings can also cause major problems, such as anaphylactic shock. Signs of shock can vary but may include depression, breathing problems, pale gums and a weak pulse.
If your cat is stung by fire ants, remove him from the area and brush off any ants remaining on him. Don’t spray them off with water, as that will cause them to hang on with their jaws and continue to sting.
Spider bites can be quite dangerous to cats. Although generally harmless, there are several varieties of spiders that can cause severe problems. Some spider venom contains digestive enzymes that can damage skin tissue, causing a wound to grow quickly with a secondary infection.
Beware of Ticks – Cousin to Spiders
Ticks can also pose a threat to your cat’s health. If you suspect your cat has been exposed to ticks, inspect him thoroughly. Ticks can also carry and spread blood-borne diseases, such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tick Paralysis.
If your cat has been exposed to an area you suspect is populated by ticks, thoroughly comb him within four to six hours to help prevent ticks from attaching. Ticks are most commonly found on the head, neck, ears, armpits and feet, although you should carefully check your cat’s entire body.
Your veterinarian can suggest proper tick removal methods. If you do find an attached tick, remove it promptly. Also, observe your cat for any lethargy, lack of appetite or other abnormal behavior. If you suspect your cat could have contracted a disease from a tick bite, ask your veterinarian for advice and whether or not to take your cat to the clinic for further evaluation.
An easy way to avoid ticks is to apply a once-a-month preventive liquid, which is applied with a few drops between your cat’s shoulder blades. Prescribed flea and tick preventives are covered as part of the CFA Pet Healthcare Wellness Plans.
Things That Slither and Bite
Snakes are beneficial to our environment because they control the rodent population, among many other reasons. In general, they prefer to be left alone and avoid conflict.
If your cat is bitten by a snake, try to identify it -- without getting bitten yourself -- as identification is important in determining treatment. If possible, notice the snake’s head shape (triangular versus oval), coloration, markings, size and whether or not it has a rattle at the end of its tail. Keep your cat as still as possible, since movement spreads snake venom. If you’re outdoors, carry your cat to the car at a normal pace. Snakebites are very painful, so be careful -- even a loving cat may bite when he’s in pain.
To prevent snakebites, caution while outdoors is key. It’s a good idea to keep cats from nosing around in holes in the ground, or under logs or near other objects where snakes might hide for shade. While snakes do not have good eyesight, they do react acutely to body heat and vibration. If your cat moves suddenly, a snake can mistake them for prey and strike quickly.
Snakes can also make their way indoors through a cracked door or window so be certain to keep them shut securely during warm months. They can also enter your home through a partially finished basement or a window screen that has a hole in it. Plan ahead, evaluate your home and make necessary changes or repairs to deter snakes from entering.
Treatment for a snake bite can be quite expensive and vials of antivenin can cost a much as $750 or more. One claim we processed involved a pet who was bitten by a snake hidden in tall grass. Fortunately, there was a happy outcome, but the veterinary care was expensive, and resulted in a $1,262 reimbursement from us. One pet was unlucky enough to get bitten twice – the reimbursement amounted to over $3,000 for both incidents! Another snakebite claim we received totaled over $1,800.
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Seeking a veterinarian’s advice first is important if you have any questions about your cat’s health. If you program your veterinarian’s emergency phone number into your cell phone, you’ll have it close at hand if something happens to your cat and you’re away from home.
If a friend or sitting service is caring for your cat during your summer vacation, discuss in advance your cat’s health history and potential health emergencies, as well as any medications they are taking. Make certain your veterinarian’s contact information -- and the phone number for the closest emergency veterinary room -- are clearly posted.
Fortunately, injuries from the bites and stings of summer are covered under the CFA Pet Healthcare Plan. Planning ahead for unforeseen medical emergencies with pet healthcare insurance can help you manage the cost of veterinary care and preventive measures for your cat.
The costs of treatment can quickly add up, especially if your pet experiences a life-threatening situation. One claim we paid was for over $2,200 for the hospitalization of a pet in California, after she was attacked by a swarm of bees in her backyard. After several days of intensive care and blood transfusions, she amazed everyone and survived this potentially fatal attack.
The range of CFA Pet Healthcare Plans* offers quality and affordable coverage for as little as pennies a day. You can choose from Accident or Essential plans that can cover unexpected illnesses or injuries, or plans that also offer Wellness coverage. The Wellness plans cover flea, tick and heartworm prevention, as well as an annual check-up, annual dental cleaning and vaccinations (or titers). The Wellness Plus Plan also offers additional coverage for spaying and neutering. For a no-obligation quote, visit www.cfaphp.com or call toll-free 1.877.232.4441. It’s time well spent when you consider the protection it provides for both you and your pets.
Summertime is an exciting, beautiful time of year we can enjoy with our pets but the unexpected can happen. Plan ahead for your cat’s unforeseen health emergencies. Be safe – not sorry!
