What should you do if your cat is stung by an insect? How can you recognize when an insect bite is serious? Get the answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.

Identifying Insect Bites and Stings in Cats

Cats are naturally curious creatures, often sniffing and investigating anything that catches their attention. Unfortunately, this can lead to encounters with insects that may result in bites or stings. Recognizing the signs of an insect bite or sting is the first step in providing prompt and effective treatment for your feline friend.

If your cat suddenly begins pawing at their face, chewing on their foot, or starts to swell in any area of their body, it’s important to consider the possibility of an insect bite or sting. Quickly search the area for any flying or crawling insects, and if possible, try to identify the culprit. In the case of bee stings, look for a stinger that may still be attached to your cat’s skin.

Providing First Aid for Insect Bites and Stings

Once you’ve identified that your cat has been bitten or stung, it’s time to provide first aid. Start by soothing the bite site with a thick paste of baking soda and water. If your cat has multiple bites or stings, consider giving them an oatmeal bath to provide relief.

To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the affected area for 10 minutes. You can also use a cooled towel for larger areas. Additionally, giving your cat an oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can help reduce the reaction and decrease itching. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for the proper dosage.

To prevent your cat from further irritating the bite or sting, use an Elizabethan collar (cone) to discourage licking or scratching. This will help the wound heal properly and reduce the risk of infection.

Recognizing Serious Reactions to Insect Bites and Stings

While some cats may have a mild reaction to an insect bite or sting, others can experience severe, life-threatening allergic reactions. It’s crucial to be on the lookout for signs of a serious reaction, such as severe swelling around the head and neck, hives, difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or seizures.

If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, it’s essential to take them to the veterinary emergency clinic immediately. Severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, can be fatal if not treated promptly. Your veterinarian may need to administer antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine to help reduce the allergic reaction and prevent shock.

Maintaining Hydration and Nutrition After an Insect Bite or Sting

Even if your cat’s reaction to an insect bite or sting is mild, it’s important to ensure they remain hydrated and nourished during the recovery process. Provide your cat with fresh water to drink, and if they are having difficulty eating due to swelling in the mouth, offer them moist or softened food to make it easier for them to consume.

Preventing Insect Bites and Stings in Cats

While it’s not always possible to prevent your curious cat from encountering insects, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk. Keep your cat’s outdoor spaces free of ant hills, wasp nests, and other insect habitats. Additionally, you can use natural insect repellents or enclosed cat enclosures to help protect your feline friend from unwanted encounters.

Seeking Veterinary Care for Insect Bites and Stings

While many cases of insect bites and stings can be managed with first aid at home, it’s important to be vigilant for signs of a severe reaction. If your cat exhibits any concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian or take them to the emergency clinic. Prompt medical intervention can be the difference between a full recovery and a life-threatening situation.

Conclusion

Insect bites and stings can be a common occurrence for curious cats, and it’s crucial for pet owners to be prepared to provide the appropriate first aid and recognize when a reaction requires emergency veterinary care. By understanding the signs and symptoms of insect-related injuries, you can help keep your feline friend safe and healthy.

First Aid for Insect Stings in Cats | VCA Animal Hospital

The old adage, curiosity killed the cat, actually has an element of truth. Cats are nosy creatures, sniffing at anything of interest. Since cats find insects interesting, they sniff at them, and if they stick their nose where it does not belong, they may get a quick reprimand that could be fatal.

Insects resent the intrusion of nosy cats, so they sting the closest body part, making eyes, ears, and feet easy targets. When a cat steps on an ant hill or disturbs a wasp nest or beehive, the insects can swarm and sting the cat’s whole body. Spiders are loners that do not swarm, but even one spider bite can be nasty.

The stings of bees, wasps, and hornets, and the bites of ants and spiders all spell trouble for cats. Insect venom causes problems ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening shock. Observant pet owners can minimize the reaction by taking prompt action. Keep in mind that although first aid is started at home, severe cases require prompt medical care.

What should I do if my cat is stung by an insect?

Be quick to recognize that your cat was bitten or stung. If your cat suddenly paws at her face, chews at her foot, or begins to swell in any area of the body, consider the possibility of an insect bite.

Identify the insect. Quickly search the area for flying insects as well as crawling ones. Since a spider is difficult to identify and may be poisonous, capture it if you can.

In the case of bee stings, look for a stinger. Bees are the only insects that leave their stingers in their victims. These abandoned stingers continue to secrete venom so removing them reduces the amount of toxin injected into the cat’s body. If the stinger is still attached to the cat, remove it by scraping a credit card over your cat’s coat and flick it off. Do not use tweezers that may squeeze more venom out of the stinger sac. Luckily, other flying insects (wasps, hornets) do not leave a stinger behind.

Soothe the bite site. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. If your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go.

Minimize swelling. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. A bag of frozen peas serves as a handy ice pack for individual bites. A cooled towel works better for larger areas.

Prevent allergic reactions. Give a dose of oral anti-histamine, such as diphenhydramine (brand names: Benadryl®, Vetadryl®) to minimize the reaction and decrease itching. Consult your veterinarian first for proper dosing.

Reduce the trauma of scratching. Use an Elizabethan collar (cone) if your cat continues to lick or scratch at the bite wound. Constant scratching will delay healing and may cause infection.

Maintain hydration and food intake. Give your cat fresh water to drink. Cats that are stung in the mouth may find it difficult to eat so feed them moist food. Dry food softened with water is less likely to upset the gastrointestinal tract than canned food.

When is an insect bite serious?

Like some people, many cats are hypersensitive (very allergic) to insect stings or bites. The degree of reaction varies with the cat’s immune system and the type of insect. Allergic reactions usually occur within 20 minutes of the bite, but may be delayed for hours so close monitoring is critical. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can be fatal, so quick action is vital. Take your cat to the veterinary emergency clinic at the first sign of:

• Severe swelling around the head and neck that could compromise respiration. Swelling in these areas may occur even if the bite occurred elsewhere.
• Hives on any part of the body. Hives appear as bumps under the skin that raise the hair, or as red bumps on hairless areas like the belly. Hives itch a lot, so your cat may roll in the grass or on the floor in an attempt to scratch at hard to reach itchy places.
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing. Cats usually do not breath through the mouth, so if your cat starts to pant, call your veterinarian.
• Excessive drooling. If there is swelling in the throat, your cat has difficulty swallowing her own saliva and drools a lot.
• Agitation. Some cats become anxious due to the itching and difficulty breathing. Also, the insect venom may affect the nervous system.
• Vomiting or diarrhea. Even mild vomiting and soft stool can indicate trouble, so do not disregard this sign.
• Dizziness or disorientation. If your cat is not alert or stumbles, she is having more than the normal reaction.
• Seizures. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Medical treatment may save your cat’s life and is aimed at reducing the allergic reaction and preventing shock. In addition to anti-histamines, your veterinarian may give your cat corticosteroids or epinephrine. Your veterinarian may administer intravenous (IV) fluids to stabilize your cat and oxygen to help respiration. Blood and urine tests may be needed to rule out organ damage. The length of the hospital stay depends how quickly your kitty responds to therapy, but expect to leave your cat with at the hospital for 1 or 2 days. Once the danger is passed and your cat returns home, your veterinarian may prescribe an Epi-Pen® for use in future insect stings. The goal here is not to stifle your cat’s curious nature, but to be prepared for the consequences. That means you have to act quickly in case she reacts to an insect bite.

Insect bite (nonvenomous) of nose, initial encounter

1. 
   ICD-10-CM Codes
   


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2. 
   S00-T88
   


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3. 
   S00-S09
   


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4. 
   S00-
   


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5. 
   2023 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S00. 36XA

Insect bite (nonvenomous) of nose, initial encounter

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Billable/Specific Code

• S00.36XA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
• The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM S00.36XA became effective on October 1, 2022.
• This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S00.36XA – other international versions of ICD-10 S00.36XA may differ.

The following code(s) above S00.36XA contain annotation back-references

Annotation Back-References

In this context, annotation back-references refer to codes that contain:

• Applicable To annotations, or
• Code Also annotations, or
• Code First annotations, or
• Excludes1 annotations, or
• Excludes2 annotations, or
• Includes annotations, or
• Note annotations, or
• Use Additional annotations

that may be applicable to S00. 36XA:

• S00-T88

  2023 ICD-10-CM Range S00-T88

  Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causesNote

  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code

  Type 1 Excludes

  • birth trauma (P10-P15)
  • obstetric trauma (O70-O71)

  Use Additional

  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

  Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes

• S00-S09

  2023 ICD-10-CM Range S00-S09

  Injuries to the headCode Also

  • for any associated infection

  Includes

  • injuries of ear
  • injuries of eye
  • injuries of face [any part]
  • injuries of gum
  • injuries of jaw
  • injuries of oral cavity
  • injuries of palate
  • injuries of periocular area
  • injuries of scalp
  • injuries of temporomandibular joint area
  • injuries of tongue
  • injuries of tooth

  Type 2 Excludes

  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
  • effects of foreign body in larynx (T17. 3)
  • effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
  • effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
  • effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
  • effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

  Injuries to the head

• S00

  ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S00

  Superficial injury of head

  2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Non-Billable/Non-Specific Code

  Type 1 Excludes

  • diffuse cerebral contusion (S06.2-)
  • focal cerebral contusion (S06.3-)
  • injury of eye and orbit (S05.-)
  • open wound of head (S01.-)

  Superficial injury of head

ICD-10-CM S00.36XA is grouped within Diagnostic Related Group(s) (MS-DRG v40.0):

• 606 Minor skin disorders with mcc
• 607 Minor skin disorders without mcc
• 963 Other multiple significant trauma with mcc
• 964 Other multiple significant trauma with cc
• 965 Other multiple significant trauma without cc/mcc

Convert S00. 36XA to ICD-9-CM

Code History

• 2016 (effective 10/1/2015): New code (first year of non-draft ICD-10-CM)
• 2017 (effective 10/1/2016): No change
• 2018 (effective 10/1/2017): No change
• 2019 (effective 10/1/2018): No change
• 2020 (effective 10/1/2019): No change
• 2021 (effective 10/1/2020): No change
• 2022 (effective 10/1/2021): No change
• 2023 (effective 10/1/2022): No change

ICD-10-CM Codes Adjacent To S00.36XA

S00. 33XS …… sequela

S00.34 External constriction of nose

S00.34XA …… initial encounter

S00.34XD …… subsequent encounter

S00.34XS …… sequela

S00. 35 Superficial foreign body of nose

S00.35XA …… initial encounter

S00.35XD …… subsequent encounter

S00.35XS …… sequela

S00.36 Insect bite (nonvenomous) of nose

S00. 36XA
…… initial encounter

S00.36XD …… subsequent encounter

S00.36XS …… sequela

S00.37 Other superficial bite of nose

S00. 37XA …… initial encounter

S00.37XD …… subsequent encounter

S00.37XS …… sequela

S00.4 Superficial injury of ear

S00.40 Unspecified superficial injury of ear

S00. 401 Unspecified superficial injury of right ear

S00.401A …… initial encounter

Reimbursement claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015 require the use of ICD-10-CM codes.

Insect Bite Emergency Rules – News

In the summer, especially outside the city, we are often exposed to insect bites. At the same time, swelling, redness and itching appear at the site of the bite, which in the future can lead to unpleasant consequences.

The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Tula Region reminds residents of the region how to recognize the symptoms of various insect bites and provide first aid in case of them.

Wasp sting symptoms

After a wasp sting, a local reaction of the body is usually observed on the body. When bitten into the eyes, face, or other softer tissues of the skin, swelling is more pronounced. It should also be taken into account that debilitated people, allergy sufferers, children and women show a higher sensitivity to the poison.

In addition to swelling of the bite site, the human body may have the following symptoms:

– severe pain and burning;
– redness of the bite;
– the bite site is swollen;
– rash all over the body;
– increased body temperature;
– headache;
– nausea and vomiting;
– convulsions of the body.

Wasp sting danger

If you were stung by one wasp, then there will be no serious consequences, but if a person was stung by several dozen insects at the same time, then we can talk about a general toxic reaction. Its severity will depend on the total amount of poison that has entered the body. It is known that a dose of poison from a bite of 500 or more Hymenoptera insects is considered fatal for humans.

Even if such a person is stung by just one insect, the consequences can be very severe. In addition to urticaria and edema, in some cases there are shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, high fever, body cramps, even a short-term loss of consciousness is possible. Swelling of the tongue and larynx is very dangerous, which can cause suffocation.

Important! An allergic reaction does not occur when a person is first stung by a hymenopteran insect. However, the resulting allergic reaction after each subsequent bite will be more severe.

The most severe life-threatening allergic reaction is anaphylactic shock. In this case, immediately after the bite, the person loses consciousness, the activity of many organs and systems, primarily the cardiovascular system, is disrupted. 1. Get rid of the sting. It must be remembered that when a wasp stings, you do not need to look for its sting on the body, because. she does not leave him. It is quite another thing with a bee sting. The bee has a barbed stinger, so it needs to be removed. This is a simple matter, the main thing is to disinfect the wound, as well as the tool for extracting the bee sting, so as not to bring the infection into the wound. This can be done with peroxide, ammonia diluted with water, iodine, alcohol solution, corticosteroid ointment – for the wound, ordinary medical alcohol – for a tool, such as tweezers.

Important! Poison is not worth squeezing out, as you can easily bring an infection.

2. It is necessary to prevent the spread of the poison in the body and to prevent an allergic reaction.

– In case of a general toxic reaction, the victim is advised to drink as much as possible. Preference – sweet water, hot sweet tea;
– Put a heating pad with cold water or a wet towel in place of the edema, which will slow down the absorption of the poison;
– Wet a cloth with a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon to 1 glass of water) and leave it on the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
– A piece of moistened sugar attached to the wound helps to draw out the poison.
– An allergic reaction is prevented by taking antihistamines, such as Claritin, Suprastin, or other similar drugs.

3. To relieve pain and swelling

– Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the bite site for at least 30 minutes. You can also apply a compress from a cloth soaked in alcohol or vinegar with water;
– Make a compress from lemon juice. Eliminates pain and relieves swelling;
– You can make a compress from the tincture of the golden mustache with vodka;
– Apply a cut onion, tomato or garlic to the bite;
– Attach a cut apple to the wound;
– Apply crushed or chewed leaves of fresh parsley to the sore spot;
– Anoint the wound with Psilo-balm or Fenistil gel;
– Apply a Validol tablet moistened with water to the bite site;
– Take diphenhydramine. It is necessary to take this remedy if the edema is too large, i. e. if an allergic reaction has begun;
– A slurry of soda with water. Apply to the bite site. Removes and redness, and swollen, and pain;
– Attach a leaf of Kalanchoe or plantain to the wound;
– Lubricate the skin at the site of the bite with a solution of marigold or psyllium. They can be purchased at a pharmacy;

Important! Alcohol is contraindicated because it leads to increased swelling.

20-25 drops of cordiamine can be given to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by urticaria.

Important! People who are allergic to insect stings during the summer are advised to always carry a so-called allergy passport issued by an allergist. The passport contains the name of the owner, his age, home address, telephone number, diagnosis, telephone number of the allergological office where the patient is observed, and those urgent measures that must be taken in case of a hymenoptera bite. In addition to the passport, it is advisable to have a syringe and a set of medicines listed in the passport with you. In the event of anaphylactic shock, you must immediately call an ambulance or take the victim to a medical facility.

SOME FEATURES OF THE BEHAVIOR OF THE WASP

It must be remembered that wasps never attack people for no reason. They sting exclusively only when they are defending themselves, or they feel aggression on your part. Of course, it is always unpleasant when a wasp buzzes over your head or near your face. People begin to wave their hands, trying to drive away an insect that perceives your actions as aggression. Therefore, they regret.

Bees, unlike wasps, can sting for no reason. Bees can’t stand the smell of sweat, which at 99% of cases and causes them to attack. In addition, when a bee stings, in addition to poison, it injects a special substance that is a signal for other bees to “attack this target”, so if you walk close to the hives on a hot day and one bee attacked you, try to get away from apiaries.

Never panic or try to swing your arms, and especially do not try to swat a wasp or a bee with your hand. In extreme cases, you can try to knock the insect to the ground using suitable improvised means, such as a towel, scarf, or other items of clothing. But this is only in the most extreme case. The ideal option is to simply turn away and step aside.

Important! If you find that the bite site is becoming more swollen, fever, or other similar exacerbated symptoms, immediately consult a doctor, and do not wait until the critical point comes.

Press Service of the Main Directorate
EMERCOM of Russia for the Tula Region

These are the right bees! – Caution: wildlife!

It can be said without exaggeration that probably there is not a single person who has not experienced at least one insect bite in his life. Moreover, in the Pskov region there are plenty of these animals: mosquitoes and ticks, bees and wasps, bumblebees and hornets, horseflies, ants, etc. Many of them are peaceful creatures that attack solely for self-defense. These include, in particular, bees. Nevertheless, they carry a certain danger to humans, especially if their hives are located in close proximity to the objects of human vital activity. Rescuers also receive messages asking them to remove the “bee house”. The concern of the residents can be understood: it is impossible to approach, and even more so destroy such nests (clean them without having any means or skills to deal with such insects), since this leads to an increase in their aggressiveness.

A bee uses its sting only when it needs self-defense; without a reason, a bee will never sting a person. In everyday life, a bee stings the person who crushed it, trying to catch it with its bare hands. The aggressiveness of bees increases in the presence of strong odors (perfumes, alcohol). The danger of damage increases in places of large concentrations of bees in apiaries. The consequences of a bite depend primarily on the type of insect and, secondly, on the individual characteristics of the organism.

During “stinging” a poison enters the human body, consisting of active proteins and other components, which are often strong allergens. The body responds to the introduction of these substances with redness, pain and swelling of the tissues. Wasps and bees sting with a sting, while the latter die, since the sting, along with the stinging apparatus, remains in the wound.

Most often, an insect bite causes itching and burning, pain, swelling and redness at the site of the bite. If you try to scratch the affected area, you can introduce an infection. But if the victim is allergic to insect bites, the poison can provoke not only a local, but also a general reaction of the body: rashes all over the body, worsening of breathing, impaired consciousness.

What to do after a bite?

First, apply ice (wrap in a plastic bag and 1-2 layers of dry cloth) or a cold object. Next, make a strong solution of soda, moisten a napkin, attach to the bite site. Ammonia or diluted ethyl alcohol is also used to treat the bite site.

In case of a bee sting, the sting of the insect should be removed from the wound. In order to carefully remove the poison sac, you need to “scrape” it with any hard object. No need to try to pull on it, as the poison will be injected even faster.

To weaken the local toxic reaction, immediately after the “sting”, apply a piece of sugar to the bite site, which helps to draw the poison out of the wound and prevents the development of edema. If the swelling is painful and does not subside, see your doctor.

A general allergic reaction is eliminated by taking any antihistamine. With an increase in edema, an increase in redness, you can lubricate the bite site with hormonal ointment.

If your temperature starts to rise, take an antipyretic medicine. Drink plenty of fluids.

In urticaria, there is a significant drop in blood pressure, so give the victim 20-25 drops of Cordiamin.

In case of cardiac arrest and cessation of breathing, before the arrival of the ambulance, carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation: artificial respiration and closed heart massage.

Alcohol is strictly contraindicated! It promotes an increase in vascular permeability, which leads to increased edema.

In the event of an allergic reaction, severe swelling of the oral cavity, violations of the cardiovascular system, immediately seek help from a medical institution.

The sting of a bee, wasp, bumblebee, hornet can be fatal to humans as a result of an exacerbation of an allergic reaction or suffocation from swelling of the respiratory tract. To prevent the development of an allergic reaction, it is urgent to take or introduce special medications and take the victim to the hospital. In case of damage to the oral cavity, the victim should be given cold water or ice; in case of complication, he must be urgently hospitalized.

If the edema continues to increase, you should call a doctor.

Pay close attention to swelling from a bite in the face: if it has begun to spread to the lips and cheeks, then call a doctor as soon as possible! Along with the bite, chemicals are usually released into the bloodstream that irritate the bite sites. That is why they first turn red, swell and hurt. Serious allergic reactions can be caused by poison in the blood. Always carry anti-allergic drugs with you during the warm season, especially if once you have already had a strong reaction to an insect bite.

If bitten in the throat or accidentally swallowed by an insect, a fatal outcome is likely, because then the edema will block the airways during its development. Tracheal intubation, conicotomy, or tracheotomy may occur. With such a development of the bite, only a specialist can help. In case of severe intoxication, the victim must be brought to the hospital. Also, the victim needs to drink cold water.

Why are allergic reactions dangerous?

Allergic reactions of the body associated with the action of the poison can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is very dangerous for human life. This is when the pressure suddenly drops, spasms and swelling of the bronchi begin, and the functions of the central nervous system are also disturbed.