> An eight year old domestic cat belonging to our next door neighbor
> died today of what appeared to be poisoning, perhaps having eaten
> rat poison. However none of the local community seem to have
> set out any such poisons. It occured to me that the poor cat might
> have been bitten by a black widow spider when he was prowling
> under one of the local homes. I realize that such a bite is unlikely
> since cats are fairly well protected by their fur. I also found a
> list
> of symptoms for humans bitten by black widows. But cats are
> quite a bit smaller and so presumably more susceptible when re-
> ceiving a full dose of neurotoxin.
>
> Can anyone describe for me what a cat might show symptomatically
> in such a case or refer me to a relevant website? Thanks very
> much.
>
> sadly,
> Gene