Cats and Scorpions

by a reader

QUESTION

Do cats get sick from scorpion bites?


ANSWER

Yes, they can. Due to their small body weight, a small amount of venom can do more harm to a cat than a larger animal or person.

Fortunately, most scorpions do not have dangerous venom. One should be on the alert, though, and if you know your cat has been bitten by a scorpion, you should go straight to the vet.

The most dangerous scorpion is fortunately confined to one area of the United States, the Southwest. It's sting certainly can be fatal to a cat. It has neurotoxins as well as the usual digestive enzymes in its venom and so is particularly dangerous. This species is called
Centruroides exilicauda.