What is Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning?
The brown recluse spider (loxosceles reclusa) is not aggressive and will not bite unless stepped on or crushed. Small bites can be non-symptomatic, but the spider’s hemotoxic venom does have the potential to be fatal, especially in small dogs. The brown recluse spider is most recognizable by the violin shaped mark on its back. It builds irregular shaped webs under logs or rocks, or inside the house in a closet or a cardboard box. Most bites are caused by the dog lying or walking on the spider.
The immediate bite doesn’t usually cause pain, but signs may appear in 4-8 hours. A red, itchy skin lesion develops around the site. The bite may sometimes have a bullseye look with a white center or a ring around the outside. There may be a blistered area as well as considerable redness and swelling. Brown recluse spider venom causes necrosis in the skin (cell death). As signs progress, the dead cells will turn black and fall off leaving a gaping wound that may be as big the width of a hand.
The area will eventually heal, although it may take a number of months. If a lot of venom is injected, or the dog is very sensitive to the venom, a systemic infection can develop. This is less common, but it can lead to serious problems including anemia, blood clots, and kidney failure. In severe cases, the bites can be fatal. There is no antidote, but early treatment with corticosteroids can reduce the chances of a systemic infection.
The majority of spider bites are harmless to dogs. Only a few spiders have venom strong enough to cause significant signs in such a small dose. The brown recluse spider is one of these, found most commonly in the southern and midwestern parts of the United States. In dogs, bites can infect the skin and sometimes cause systemic illness.
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Symptoms of Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning in Dogs
Pain, or reluctance to put weight on one leg may be the first signs of a spider bite. Signs of a skin infection around the bite will appear within a few hours. These signs should be treated by a veterinarian to avoid further problems.
- Signs of pain
- Skin lesion that is red, itchy and painful
- Skin lesion with a bulls-eye effect
- Swelling
- Blister
- Bruised, inflamed area spreading around the lesion or blister
- Necrotic tissue (black area of dead skin cells) around the bite
- Hole or wound after the damaged tissue has fallen off
- Scab that may take months to heal
A systemic infection can take up to 4 days to appear. These are the signs to look for.
Types
There are quite a few spiders in the loxosceles genus, but the brown recluse is the most common. A bite by another type of loxosceles spider will cause approximately the same signs. A bite by the hobo spider, a more aggressive house spider found in the northwestern United States, can also cause similar skin necrosis.
Causes of Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning in Dogs
Brown recluse spiders need pressure in order to inject venom. These are some of the reasons your dog might get bitten.
- Walking through a spider web
- Sitting or lying on a spider
- Investigating a dark secluded place such as a hollow log
- Digging through dry leaves
- Sleeping under a porch
- Spider infestation in a kennel
Diagnosis of Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning in Dogs
In most cases, the owner will not see when their dog gets bitten. Dogs don’t usually show visible pain and many bites occur when the dog is alone. The veterinarian will physically examine the area and ask for a detailed description of the symptoms, including when you first noticed the problem. He will take your dog’s temperature, vital signs, and bloodwork to check for anemia and other symptoms of systemic illness, as well as evaluate the possibility of other causes.
The appearance of the bite and the skin necrosis around it is usually a good indication of a brown recluse spider bite, depending of course on the location. If you did see the spider the veterinarian will ask for a description. Brown recluse spiders are between 6 and 20 mm across. They are typically light brown, but there can be a good deal of color variation. The black violin shaped mark on the front, head-part of the abdomen is the most distinctive mark. The spiders also have only three pairs of eyes, unlike most spiders which have four, but this is not easy to see without a magnifying glass.
Treatment of Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning in Dogs
An ice pack is a good first treatment for redness and swelling. Get to the veterinarian as soon as possible as early treatment can prevent more severe illness. Corticosteroids are often prescribed. In the early stages, this can stop the necrosis from spreading too much. It can also help to contain the venom in the infected cells and protect against systemic illness. The veterinarian will suggest you monitor your dog closely for further signs.
Dogs that are very ill will be given fluids and electrolytes as needed. Severe anemia and blood clotting problems could require blood transfusion. The most common drug used to treat brown recluse spider in humans and dogs is a leprosy drug called dapsone. This may be prescribed for more severe cases.
Antibiotics are usually given to prevent infections from developing. The veterinarian will likely also give you an antiseptic solution to clean the area. This will have to be done several times a day. The wound will need to be covered with a bandage. In some cases, tetanus shots are also given.
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Recovery of Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning in Dogs
Most dogs make a complete recovery from brown recluse spider bite poisoning. However, it can take many months for the wound at the infection site to fully heal, and sometimes scars are left behind. If this is a problem, show dogs can have plastic surgery to remove the mark.
The best way to manage the problem is to prevent it. Many bites occur because of an infestation of spiders in a house, a kennel, or some other place the dog goes regularly. Spraying for spiders and other insects frequently can help prevent this. It’s also a good idea to become familiar with all the poisonous spiders and other animals in your area, so you can recognize them immediately. Familiarize yourself with the signs of poisoning and get your dog treated right away.
Paying to treat a brown recluse spider bite out of pocket can be a major financial burden. Fortunately, most pet insurance companies reimburse claims within 3 days, putting 90% of the bill back in your pocket. In the market for pet insurance? Compare leading pet insurance companies to find the right plan for your pet.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $6,500
Average Cost
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Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Rottweiler
One Year
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
This showed up yesterday December 31st 2020. She doesn’t show pain or any other symptoms other than licking the site. It is a lump about the size of a nickel it hasn’t grown in size in the past 24 hours but it has gotten darker in the middle. It is located just behind her ribs on her lower left side
Jan. 1, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
4 Recommendations
Hello, this may be an abscess. It would be best for your vet to look at this. You can clean this area and apply Neosporin to this area to help it try to heal.
Jan. 1, 2021
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Great Pyrenees
Three Months
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Possible brown recluse bite
Nov. 21, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
4 Recommendations
Hi there, you are through to Dr Linda.
You don't say if you saw the spider or when this happened but if there is a chance this is a poisonous spider bite, the sooner you get to the vet clinic the better.
An ice pack wrapped in a towel on the lesion can help and the earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Nov. 21, 2020
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Catahoula mix
Three Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Possible Spider Bite
Saw my dog try to eat this spider before I could stop him. As soon as he bit it, made his mouth foam. He didn't end up digesting the spider. Is this something I should be worried about?
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my response, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that he is okay. I do not know what kind of spider that is, but if he is having any mouth pain, Since I cannot see your pet, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be causing this, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 13, 2020
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Staffordshire pit / bullmastiff
15 months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness, Irritation
My dog was bit by a brown recluse, on his abdomen. Just below his solar plexus. On the left side.- I actually saw the spider that bit him. It it was 2 days ago.
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Since I cannot see your pet, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for your pet.
Oct. 14, 2020
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Lab mix
Three Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Looks Like A Bit With Fur That Is Matted Around The Biten Area
looks like a bit with fur that is matted around the bitten area i noticed what i thought was a section of matted hair on the right side of his neck. i shaved the area and i looks like a bite of some kind. pics attached
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
That looks like it is infected, and It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 16, 2020
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Bichon Frise
Ollie
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fever
Lethargy
Loss Of Appetite
Necrosis
Abscess
Ollie had been playing outside for a while on a hot NC July afternoon. When he came in that evening he was lethargic and refused food or water; he also felt warm. I thought perhaps he'd gotten overheated or sun poisoning so I took him to the vet first thing the next morning.
The vet checked him out and found an abscess on his right hip. She lanced the wound to drain it, bandaged it, and sent us home with antibiotics.
Fast forward 4 days and a large patch of necrotic tissue appeared next to the wound. A return trip to the vet found him to be almost septic. A blood culture revealed he had 3 active infections (pseudomonas, group A strep, and I forget the third). The necrotic tissue has spread to his entire right hip area, down behind and inside his right leg, and a patch appeared at the base of his tail.
He was taken into surgery for the dead tissue to be abraded. He was heavily bandaged and sent home that day with three antibiotics and pain medicine. He needed to return to the vet daily for bandage changes for three weeks (his bandages were wet bandages so as not to stick to his wounds).
We are in his fourth week of recovery and grateful to say that he is improving daily. He is down to only one antibiotic, off pain medication, and now goes every two days for bandage changes. It will be several more weeks (if not months) until he is fully recovered.
There is no conclusive evidence of what he was bit by, but we do have brown recluse in the immediate area and no snakes in the area with necrotic venom.
Mix
Rexi
6 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Weakness
Breathing Difficulties
My dog was let outside to use the bathroom. A couple hours later I found him just laying by the door. He is not dead but he is nay able to fully move. I believe it was a brown recluse spider bite. I’ve been giving him water by a syringe and he has been drinking it. He is still trying to bark and stuff but I am very afraid. I have no money for a vet. Is there any home remedies that will help. Please, this puppy means so much to me
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Poisoning Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $6,500
Average Cost
$1,200
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
