Spiders

All spider bites can be associated with local pain, redness and swelling. Spider bites can also become infected if they are not adequately cleaned. There are two spiders in Australia that can result in systemic envenoming, these are the Redback spider and the Funnel-web spider. Redback spiders can cause severe regional and generalized pain, vomiting and elevations to the heart rate. Cats are particularly sensitive to Redback spider venom and should be considered life-threatening. Funnel-web spider bites are potentially rapidly lethal. If your pet has been bitten by a big black spider, they should be urgently transported to a veterinary clinic.