Hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom sac extract causes hepatic injury in cats.

1. Injection of sublethal doses of hornet venom to cats was followed by increases in serum aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase, together with hyperglycemia, uremia and hyperkalemia. 2. The blood pH and PO2 fell significantly. 3. All changes occurred within 30 min of injection and were found to be partially reversible. 4. These results may be due to specific liver cell injury. 5. The possibility of a generalized metabolic effect, such as shock, cannot be discounted, although it is quite unlikely.