What to Do If Your Dog Is Bitten By a Snake
Most parts of the world have snakes of some kind. Some, like Africa, South America and Asia have many venomous and otherwise deadly snakes, while some parts have less dangerous snakes.
It's not always easy to tell what kind of snake your dog might have encountered, so it's a good idea to treat any kind of snake bite on your dog as a medical emergency. Here's what you need to know.
Most Dogs Aren't Bitten By Snakes In Front of Their Owners
It is highly unlikely that you will actually see your dog being bitten by a snake because it usually happens when your dog is wandering around alone in your garden or in the outdoors if you are taking him for a walk. If your dog starts drooling, is shaking all over, seems overly excited, starts vomiting, has dilated pupils, or has suddenly collapsed, then he could very well have been bitten by a snake. Two puncture marks will be left by venomous snakes, usually on the legs or head, which will normally swell up soon after the bite has occurred.
Do Not Attempt to Remove the Venom Yourself
Under no circumstances should you cut into these puncture marks or try to suck out the poison, as this will only cause the blood to flow more quickly to that area and spread the venom a lot faster. Don’t even let your dog walk at all, but carry him to your car and then carry him into the vet’s surgery for treatment. This should be done as quickly as possible if you want to save your dog’s life.
First Aid for Snake Bites - Before Visiting the Vet
If you can see exactly where the snake bite is, apply an icepack to the area to slow down the flow of blood while keeping your dog calm at the same time. If the puncture wounds are on the leg, don’t apply a tourniquet, but rather put ice onto the area and wrap a bandage tightly around the leg. Get someone to call the vet immediately, as there is a good chance that the vet will be able to administer an anti-venom.
Treatment for Snake Bites In Dogs
The treatment for snake bites in dogs is the same as for humans. Your veterinarian will administer an anti-venom. If they know what kind of snake bit your dog, they will give them that one, but there are other options.
Even with anti-venom, your dog might still have some lingering effects from a snake bite. This includes tissue necrosis and infections. So, it's important to follow any aftercare instructions your veterinarian gives you and to monitor the area carefully.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
When it comes to snake bites, it's always better to try to avoid your dog encountering snakes to begin with. That's not always avoidable, but there are steps you can take to keep your dog safer.
One of the biggest is to keep your dog on a leash when you're walking in wilderness areas where snakes are more likely to live. Even well-trained dogs sometimes can't resist the urge to investigate a snake, and it only takes a second for one to strike.
Keep your fence in good repair, and avoid having wild bushes in your backyard where snakes could hide out. if you do spot a snake on your property, call animal control and keep your dogs inside the house until they've found the critter and removed it.