Problem: Article: If you know or suspect that your cat has been stung by a bee, you should quickly assess whether your cat is having a reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Take your cat to the vet or animal emergency room immediately if you see any of the following symptoms:  Rapid or labored breathing Facial swelling Pale gums or mucous membranes Vomiting (especially within the first 5-10 minutes after the sting) or diarrhea Weak or rapid heartbeat Collapse Bee stings are a little different from wasp or hornet stings, and you will need to take a slightly different approach to treatment depending on what kind of insect delivered the sting. If you saw the insect that stung your cat but are not sure how to identify it, you may be able to narrow it down with a visual guide like this one: https://www.southribble.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Bee-wasp-and-hornet-leaflet.pdf  Wasps do not usually leave their stingers behind when they sting, but bees generally do. If your cat was stung by a bee, you will need to find and remove the stinger.  Bee venom is acidic, while wasp venom is alkaline. It is better not to try to neutralize the sting with an alkaline substance (like baking soda) or an acid (like vinegar) unless you know for sure what stung your cat. Look for signs of swelling, redness, or tenderness. If your cat has been stung in the mouth or throat, or if you suspect that your cat has been stung multiple times, take your cat to the vet immediately.
Summary: Check for signs of a severe reaction. Try to determine what stung your cat. Determine where your cat was stung.

Problem: Article: Have a forthright and tactful conversation with your vet to encourage them to see a professional for PTSD. You might say, "Hey, I've noticed you startle easily and seem to avoid crowded places. Those are both symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Have you talked to someone about it?" If they become defensive or resistant to your suggestions, don't pressure them. Say something like, "I just wanted to tell you what I'd noticed. If you decide to get help, I'm here if you need me." If you know a veteran who has trouble driving or lacks transportation, offer to take them to their doctor’s or therapy appointments at the VA. Some communities offer shuttle service to transport a group of veterans back and forth. If you have some free time, offer to drive the shuttle. A wide collection of non-profit organizations offer services to veterans with PTSD or to people with PTSD in general. Pass along these resources to help your vet get the support and treatment they need. Some helpful resources include:  The National Center for PTSD at https://www.ptsd.va.gov. The Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255. If the vet would prefer not to go through the VA, connect them with veteran-run resources, like Vet Centers where counseling is provided by veterans.  Start Your Recovery, a program designed to help those struggling with substance abuse issues. Visit the website at https://startyourrecovery.org/who/veterans-military. You can also look for other veteran-run recovery centers, like Dry Hootch. If you are the close friend or family member of a veteran, support groups might help you to better understand what your loved one is going through. These groups may provide veterans and their families with practical coping strategies and encouragement for dealing with PTSD. Contact your local VA for information about support groups in your area. You might also find general PTSD support groups by reaching out to mental health clinics in your community.
Summary: Show concern if they aren't getting treatment. Provide rides to appointments. Connect them with PTSD resources. Attend PTSD support groups for veterans.

Problem: Article: Once your doctor has diagnosed a blood clot, you will likely be prescribed anticoagulants, which are also called blood thinners. This medication prevents your blood from thickening, which reduces the likelihood that it will form another clot. It won’t fix an existing clot, but it will keep the clot from expanding and prevent others from forming.  Blood thinners are prescribed based on how long it takes your blood to clot. This is called your prothrombin time (PTT) baseline. Your doctor will conduct tests to determine your PTT before prescribing blood thinners. Blood thinners can be given as an injection or in pill form. If you’re on blood thinners, take care to avoid accidents and injuries as your blood will be less able to clot. You will likely need to continue taking the blood thinners after the danger has passed so that another clot doesn’t form. Your doctor will conduct blood tests to determine if the dosage of the blood thinners is correct. They will likely need to adjust the dosage frequently. A clot buster is injected into your body via an IV or catheter to break up a serious clot. Since they cause a lot of bleeding, they are only used in extreme cases. This treatment will be administered in an intensive care unit. If you are unable to take medication to prevent clots, then your doctor can insert a filter in your vena cava. This is a large vein in your abdomen. The filter will stop clots that may form from traveling to your lungs. Your doctor will need to do this in an in-patient hospital setting to ensure there are no complications. Surgery is often the last treatment option for a clot, unless you’re in an emergency situation. This surgery is called a thrombectomy. The doctor will open your blood vessel, remove the clot, and then close the vein. They may also install a catheter or a stent to keep the vein open and clot free afterwards. Surgery comes with risks and is most often reserved for life-threatening situations.
Summary:
Take anticoagulants as prescribed by your doctor. Ask your doctor about clot busters. Allow your doctor to insert a filter if medication is not an option. Undergo surgery to remove the clot if other treatments don’t work.