Rapid or labored breathing Facial swelling Pale gums or mucous membranes Vomiting (especially within the first 5-10 minutes after the sting) or diarrhea Weak or rapid heartbeat Collapse
Wasps do not usually leave their stingers behind when they sting, but bees generally do. If your cat was stung by a bee, you will need to find and remove the stinger. [3] X Research source Bee venom is acidic, while wasp venom is alkaline. It is better not to try to neutralize the sting with an alkaline substance (like baking soda) or an acid (like vinegar) unless you know for sure what stung your cat. [4] X Research source
The stinger will look like a small black splinter. Gently scrape the stinger out with your fingernail, a butter knife, or the edge of a credit card. Don’t try to remove the stinger with tweezers or pinch it out with your fingers, or you might squeeze more venom into the wound.
Do not treat the sting with baking soda unless you are certain that your cat was stung by a bee (rather than a wasp). For wasp stings, apply apple cider vinegar to the sting instead. If you’re not sure what stung your cat, don’t apply any poultice or liquid to the sting until you’ve taken your cat to the vet. Using the wrong treatment can cause more irritation. Take care not to get baking soda or vinegar in your cat’s eyes.
Do not give your cat a medication containing any ingredients other than Benadryl (diphenhydramine), as other types of medications intended for humans may be harmful or fatal to cats.
Another option would be to apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment to the site.
