Spider in cage! (Australia)

[Rachlapin]

Hello,
I’m from Australia and this morning during my cage spot clean I found a spider hiding in the corner of the litter tray which is full of wood shavings, my 2 guiena pigs both seem fine but I just wanted to know if any signs to look out for ?
Thanks

 

[artcasper]

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,
I’m from Australia and this morning during my cage spot clean I found a spider hiding in the corner of the litter tray which is full of wood shavings, my 2 guiena pigs both seem fine but I just wanted to know if any signs to look out for ?
Thanks

Please see a vet asap as an emergency if your piggies are losing their appetite/have a vile stench to their breath, behave strangely or are clearly not well/fitting/lethargic. Hopefully it was just a harmless spider and has not bitten them.
Check your piggies for bites and any swelling in the bite area.

Since we only have one (pretty rare) mildly poisonous spider species in the UK, it is not an area I am familiar with, but give me a day or two to ask some experienced Australian rescue people for better advice.

 

[SqueakersNYC]

Unless it was a redback I’m sure it’s ok, if they’re not displaying signs of unwell. I miss Australia....!

 

[The2musketeers]

I agree with Wiebke you should keep an eye on your guinea pigs for loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargic. I hope it was a harmless spider. Good luck!

 

[Swissgreys]

What part of Australia (state) do you live in, as that will give us more of an idea about what type of spider it might be.
Can you describe the spider?

To be completely honest I think it is highly, highly unlikely to have bitten your piggies or cause them to be ill.
The most venomous spiders tend to have very specific places that they inhabit, and a piggy littler tray is not one of them.
Chances are it's a harmless house spider and everyone will be fine.

 

[Wiebke]

Upon feedback from an experienced Australian rescue lady, these are the symptoms of spider bites (similar to those of humans).
There is however not much in the way of research or advice in how guinea pigs react to and metabolise spider venom.

Mild: No reaction or some swelling, redness or inflammation in the bite area.

Medium: Possible ulceration in the days after from bacteria in the spider fangs.

Severe from more toxic spiders:
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Liver damage/ketosis (very bad breath)

- Heart attack if bite is near a main blood vessel or the heart

In the case of some spiders like redbacks, oxygen can help with the recovery. See a vet as a life and death emergency ASAP in the case of a severe reaction and promptly in the case of a mild or medium reaction. If in doubt, please ring the clinic and ask for advice.
I still hope that your piggies have not been bitten and that it was one of the harmless spider varieties you have come across.

Here is a link to a page for identification of Australian spiders: [+] Spider Identification Chart | Venomous or Dangerous?

 

[Hannah_xx]

What kind of spider was it?

Thankfully I don’t seem to have any in my house apart from the occasional docile huntsman!

 

[sport_billy]

Thankfully I don’t seem to have any in my house apart from the occasional docile huntsman!

 

[GPTV]

Shudders!