Spider bites in dogs represent a serious problem that can seriously harm the health of your four-legged friend. Everyone knows that dogs have a keen curiosity and love to explore different environments, so they are more vulnerable to insect bites and venomous animals, such as the dreaded spiders. It all depends on the species of the arachnid: some types of spiders are very sensitive to the bite.Understand how to deal with a dog bitten by a spider, how to identify the symptoms and what to do immediately!

What are the risks of spider bites in dogs?

Although most arachnids are not dangerous, some species - such as the brown spider, the wood spider and the black widow - are poisonous and harm the health of canines. In these cases, the spider bite in dogs must be given extra attention so that the animal receives all the necessary care and does not have serious sequelae.

The black widow injects a poison into the animal's body that is not fatal, but must be properly treated with medical advice. It is possible to observe the manifestation of the first clinical symptoms within 8 hours. The brown spider bite in dogs is a little more worrying because it can necrotise the affected site, which causes considerable tissue loss. Finally, the bitten dogby the spider feels a sharp pain and, depending on the spread of the venom through its body, the animal may suffer from heart failure or fall into a coma.

Spider bite in dogs: symptoms are varied

Once a dog has been bitten by a spider, there is some evidence that can help identify the problem. From vomiting and diarrhea in the case of the black widow to swelling and redness in the case of the brown spider. We have separated the most common symptoms for you to be aware of, according to each species of spider:

Black widow spider:

- Muscle pain

- Diarrhea and vomiting

- Excessive salivation

- Restlessness

- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)

- Seizure

Brown spider:

- Inflammatory lesion at the site of the bite (may develop into necrosis)

- Swelling

- Redness

- Fever

- Jaundice

Arms spider:

- Severe pain

- Swelling

- Tachycardia

- Excessive salivation

- Agitation

- Difficulty breathing

Dog bitten by a spider: what to do immediately?

Although it is a delicate situation, there are some measures that can help the dog bitten by a spider. The first step is to clean the area superficially with water and neutral soap. Then, you can apply a cold water compress to the place to soften the impact of the bite. The ideal is to keep the dog still all the time, limiting its movements, because this prevents the poison from being absorbed by the spider.Spread to other parts of the body. Oh, and be careful: do not try to remove the poison yourself with cuts and punctures. This type of attitude can further damage the health of your dog, which will feel even more pain.

Even though first aid for dogs can help at times like these, the dog needs to be assessed by a veterinarian as soon as possible to receive the most appropriate treatment. Therefore, keep as much information as possible about the spider that bit the dog, such as species, size and color. This way the professional can get a more accurate diagnosis. The administration of medicationsuch as antihistamines, corticosteroids, analgesics is usually indicated, but must be prescribed by the veterinarian.

Learn how to prevent spider bites in dogs

Spiders hide in many places in the house, so the best way to prevent a spider bite in a dog is to clean the environment frequently. Hard-to-reach places are usually the most conducive for arachnids to lodge, such as behind furniture or in cupboard openings. Sometimes they end up in shoes, so it's always good to check the shoes. It's also good toIt is important to avoid direct contact with debris or places with a lot of undergrowth (especially when traveling). During these outings, you should pay even more attention to the dog's adventurous behavior.