Toxicity to pets

Black widow spiders (Lactrodectus spp), which are found throughout North America (except for Alaska), are poisonous to dogs and cats. Female black widow spiders typically are 2-2.5 cm in length, are black, shiny, and have an orange or red hourglass mark on their underside. Immature females are brown in color, and the hourglass shape darkens with age. Males are brown and lack the hourglass mark, and are generally considered non-toxic due to the small size of fang/bite. These spiders carry a potent venom which is a neurotoxin (a-latrotoxin). Dogs and cats bitten by black widow spiders may show clinical signs of severe muscle pain, cramping, walking drunk, tremors, paralysis, blood pressure changes, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Treatment includes the Black widows (Lactrodectus spp) are venomous spiders found throughout the continental United States. All black widow spiders contain the toxin alpha-Latrotoxin in their venom. The bite of the larger female spider leads to severe, painful neuromuscular clinical signs, gastrointestinal distress, and possible death.