Some of the most painful injuries to cats come from the tiniest creatures: insects such as bees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets. Their stings and bites are not only intensely painful, but are also inherently dangerous, should a cat have an allergic reaction to the venom, and suffer anaphylactic shock, which if not treated quickly, can result in death. The cat would not die from the toxicity of the venom, but instead to his body's immune system reaction to that toxicity.

I can personally attest to that danger, as I carry an Epipen, as I am violently allergic to the stings of all those insects.

Sage's Run-In With a Yellow-jacket

A few days ago, our cats enjoyed a few hours with us on our raised deck, as we do on pleasant evenings, watching the sunset. After dark, our two younger cats, Sage and Gaither enjoy jumping up to catch moths, which are attracted to the light next to the sliding door.  However, last night, Sage's attention was diverted by a small yellow-jacket on the deck boards, and he was apparently stung when he leaped on it with his front paws. He ran into the house briefly, then came back a few minutes later, and seemed okay.

Once it was fully dark, we all went inside and closed the deck slider for the night. We fed the cats a canned food meal. While we ate our own dinner, we noticed that Sage was limping, and his left paw appeared to be somewhat swollen. However, he seemed active enough to be chasing up and down the hallway with his fellow adoptee pal, Gaither.

A bit later, the swelling had increased to the point that Sage was holding that foot up, and walking on his other three feet. His eyes were bright and clear, and there was no immediate evidence of anaphylactic shock. Our veterinary clinic does not provide service after-hours, but is affiliated with an emergency hospital in an adjoining town. I called that phone number and was quickly transferred to the on-call veterinarian. I related what happened and asked her if, after ninety minutes, was there any likelihood of an allergic reaction if he didn't show symptoms. She assured me that it was very unlikely at that point. (I have found out since then that the symptoms of anaphylactic shock usually appear quite soon after the incident.)

My son and I both spent a sleepless night, worried about our poor little cat, who was obviously in pain. I called our local veterinarian and made an appointment. By the time for the appointment, the swelling had already gone down considerably and he was walking on that foot without apparent pain. At its worst, his foot had been half again as big as its normal size.

At the clinic, the vet tech weighed him (thirteen pounds), and took his temperature 100.2 degrees (normal).  Dr. Ladonna then examined Sage, paying particular attention to his foot. She gave him an injection of Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and recommended if necessary, that I give him 2.4 ml twice daily. Now, several days later, he seems to be completely recovered, but we continue to keep an eye on him, especially when we are out on the deck.  

Steps To Take For Insect Stings To Cats

First, Remove the Stinger

Bees are the only stinging insect who leave the singer in the wound. If it is a bee sting, use a sharp-edged piece of plastic, such as a credit card to scrape the stinger out of the wound. Don't pull on the stinger as that may cause more venom to be injected. If you can't tell the difference between bees and other stinging insects, refer to Insects Expert Debbie Hadley's article, 10 Fascinating Facts About Honey Bees.

Check the Cat for Symptoms of Shock

While anaphylactic shock is fairly uncommon, it is important to know the symptoms, since it is so deadly. Normal symptoms of a stung cat might include swelling at the sting site and pain.  However,  vomiting, pale or white cat gums and rapid heartbeat and breathing are signs of anaphylactic shock, which is a veterinary emergency. One veterinarian recommends keeping the cat warm and applying honey or Karo Syrup to his gums to help keep him conscious during the rush to the veterinary office.

Opinions vary, but it is possible that repeated stings over a period of time may increase the possibility of an allergic reaction to the venom, so don't assume that your cat is immune to it.

Make the Cat Comfortable

Even if anaphylactic shock is not present, the cat is likely in pain from the sting. If the area is swollen, after removing the stinger, apply a poultice of baking soda and water to the area. Or use a cold pack for twenty minutes at a time.

If you have an antihistamine at home, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), it may help the cat relax while reducing his pain. NOTE: Ask your veterinarian in advance if Benadryl would be appropriate for your cat, and if so, for the amount to give when and if necessary.

Hopefully, within a few days, your cat will be completely recovered from his stinging experience and more savvy about avoiding insect stings in the future.

Sources:

Bee Sting Relief for Pets!
Allergic Reaction to Insect Stings in Cats
How to Treat a Cat That has Been Stung by an Insect

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, nor a feline health professional. Your veterinarian should always be your first and foremost resource for health treatment for your cat. This article is meant only to give you a basic understanding of insect stings and their potential for anaphylactic shock, along with a starting place to do your own research so you can fully understand this topic, should your cat ever suffer a painful and serious insect sting.