Brown Widow Blues
Gigi recovering in ICU
Ten-month-old Gigi was rushed into our hospital by her very worried mom, today. She had been outside with GiGi a half-hour prior when suddenly GiGi collapsed. GiGi’s mom rushed her in and we immediately started treatment for anaphylactic shock–the most severe form of an allergic reaction. Anaphalaxis causes the blood vessels to dilate which drops blood pressure. This in turn can cause fainting or dizziness as well as paleness of the gums and mucus membranes.
We started treatment with IV fluids and emergency steroids immediately, and went to speak with GiGi’s mom. After ruling out food as a cause, I asked her to go home and check the porch for spiders or webs. In about ten minutes she returned with two little plastic containers. The spiders in each were identified as Brown Widows.
The subdued Latrodectus geometricus with legs folded
The Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus) is a cousin of the Black Widow spider. The origin of this spider is uncertain, but it is thought to have come from Africa. It is lighter in color than its familiar, black cousin, and has distinct stripes on the legs. The females also have the distinct “hourglass” marking on the abdomen that is vivid orange or yellow. The venom that these spiders carry can make both dogs and cats very ill. Southern California is currently having a problem with Brown Widow spiders. Urgent care and treatment is important and most of the pets bitten respond to aggressive supportive care. Look for these spiders under patio furniture or outside railing. They are shy spiders and like to hide but can be deadly to your pets. GiGi responded very well to treatment and went home later that day. I have seen several cases of dogs being bitten by these spiders in the last 12 months and the numbers are increasing.
-Margarita Abalos, DVM
EDITORS NOTE: Birds and wasps are the spiders natural predators. Attract birds by planting California Native plants. BHSAH uses this strategy at our facility. More Info…
(Margarita Abalos DVM is a resident Doctor at BHSAH)
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