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Treatment

Your cat will be hospitalized and given supportive care. Oxygen may be given to assist in breathing, and intravenous fluids given to lower blood pressure. Anti-venom drugs are available and your veterinarian will administer them while monitoring carefully for reactions. The muscle spasms and severe pain will be controlled by intravenous administration of medications that will relax the muscles and bring relief from pain, allowing your cat to rest and recover from the spider poison. Cats tend to be especially sensitive to black widow bites, and the prognosis is often poor for cats, but may be prevented if care is given immediately after a bite. 

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will want to monitor the wound site weekly until it has healed. The prognosis may be uncertain for days. Without anti-venom drugs, black widow venom is usually fatal in cats. Weakness, fatigue, and insomnia may persist for months.