Cat bit by assassin bug in mouth!

Wow! That's not good! I would keep a close eye on her for the next hour, tongue swelling is not a good sign. If you can squirt cold water into her mouth, helping her rinse, this should definitely help. It is a sting and an allergic reaction is possible....I hope she recovers quickly!

It's not a sting, it's a bite - more akin to what a spider, or more specifically like a centipede can do.


frogmanjared - I'd consult a vet on this one. Due to the fact it can take quite a while to heal (up to half a year in some people!) and interfere with your cat being able to eat your cat will likely need some treatment for this.

I'd try feeding soft food, or make sure you have some handy if you usually only feed dry in case your cat cannot handle it.

I'm assuming it was probably a wheel bug? They're somewhat tolerant to being disturbed... though your cat was trying to eat it and that's a big difference. How did you manage to get bitten? While I find the hemiptera order fascinating (minus the little stink bugs and bed bugs) I don't want them on me - most look too creepy.

Not recognizing the name and being curious, I wiki'd assassin bug.... and I am now officially and quite thoroughly, creeped out...

Hope the kitty's ok, Frogmanjared!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

How did you manage to get bitten?

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I think she said the cat was bitten not herself.

Really? Cause their second post said differently.

Originally Posted by frogmanjared

I've been bitten before, and it's much, much worse than a wasp sting.

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What's an assasin bug? I can't look it up now cuz im at work and typing from my phone.. And im curious.

Assassin bug

http://www.kaweahoaks.com/html/assissin_bug.html

Originally Posted by cheylink

Wow! That's not good! I would keep a close eye on her for the next hour, tongue swelling is not a good sign. If you can squirt cold water into her mouth, helping her rinse, this should definitely help. It is a sting and an allergic reaction is possible....I hope she recovers quickly!

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Really? Cause their second post said differently.

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I believe it was a response to this post.

^ You've completely confused me now. Unless you were confused between the difference of a bite and sting, too - which there is a very big difference. Biting insects like assassin bugs have venom that breaks down tissue, whereas stinging insects (wasps/bees) have venom that paralyzes and causes something more similar to a localized allergic reaction. Because the nature of the venom an assassin bug has - it's not very likely to cause an allergic reaction in anything.

Originally Posted by frogmanjared

She seems to be fine, thank god! She's going to the vet today to get spayed, so I'll mention it to them so they can check out her mouth.

I got bit while collecting for an entomology course a few years back... I hate handling bugs! I'm a little afraid of snakes too, but that hasn't kept me from keeping them as pets or catching them when I see one outside to see what it is.

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Well, that certainly explains why you'd be messing with them! Most people won't - the creepiest factor. I had thought maybe one got tangled in your hair or got into some clothing.

If her mouth is fine, maybe it didn't actually manage to bite her? All of the bugs have that defensive smell/taste stuff they excrete, not just the stink bugs - though the assassin bugs don't have the stronger stuff. That would certainly make a cat foam at the mouth. ...your kitty needs to find herself tastier treats.