What to do if your dog or cat has been bitten by a snake
Snake bites (or snake envenomation) are a very serious emergency for all pet owners and particularly in the rural areas like the Adelaide Hills.
While we all try our best to avoid these situations, even the best prevention is not always enough.
Knowing what steps you need to take in this unfortunate event can make the a huge difference in your pets surviving.
Australia has some of the world’s most deadliest snake species including Eastern Browns, Tiger Snakes, Taipans and Death Adders.
What are the signs that your pet has been bitten by a snake
Owners are usually unaware that their pet has been bitten by a snake as the owner is usually not present when it happens. Snake bite marks are also normally very difficult to spot as snakes have very small, razor-like fangs.
Different venoms can create different symptoms however the most common signs of a snake bite are:
Sudden weakness and collapse
Shaking or twitching
Vomiting
Loss of bladder / bowel control
Dilated pupils
Blood in urine
Paralysis
If you think your pet is acting differently, speak to your local Vet immediately for advice. The sooner your pet is seen by a Vet, the better chance it has at survival. Anti-venom has been shown to increase the survival rates to 82% compared to 33% of those not treated.
What to do next
Speak to your local Vet clinic as soon as possible. It’s important to find out whether the clinic is open and whether they have anti-venom in stock for your pet. If not, you will be re-directed to a local hospital that is able to provide the care and treatment required.
Keep your pet calm. By making your pet calm, this will limit their movement and slow down the movement of the venom around your pets body and nervous system.
Identify the snake. ONLY IF SAFE TO DO SO. If you did not see the snake, do not attempt to find it but by giving the Vet as much information as possible, you are helping them understand what care is required.
Try to carry your pet to the car to reduce movement
Recovery
Approximately 80% of pets survive snake bites once they have been treated quickly. Recovery can usually take between 24-48 hours if the pet receives Veterinary treatment and the snake bite is not severe. However, some pets will be affected differently by the venom and can take longer to recover particularly if there is tissue damage or damage to the internal organs. Prolonged care will be required and we advise that the pets are kept in the clinic and monitored until their CK (creatine Kinase) levels are decreasing.
What to do if you find a snake
Contact a snake removal service or wildlife helpline
Snakes are protected Australia and you may expose yourself to danger if you try to get close to it.
