Getting bitten by a snake is one of the most dangerous experiences your canine pet will ever have. Especially if you live in areas where such incident happens more frequently than the usual (e.g. Rural towns), you have to be equipped with the basic knowledge on how to save your dog.
If you’d get to talk with a vet or a veterinary pharmacist, you’d be surprised to know how many pet owners don’t know what to do when they face this kind of emergency situation. We’ll help you not fall on this category by giving you a comprehensive feature about what to do after your furry friend gets bitten by a snake.
Venomous Vs. Non-Venomous Snakes
Not all snake carry poisonous substances. But whether they’re venomous or not, any snake bite can cause harm to your beloved pet.
Non-venomous snakes.
Examples: Garter snake, python, boa, kingsnake
Symptoms:
Bleeding
Bruising or swelling around the affected area
More visible puncture wounds
Venomous snakes.
Examples: coral snake, rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth
Symptoms:
Bleeding
Tissue damage and skin discoloration around the affected area
Release of excessive saliva
Vomiting
Dilated pupil
Shaking and muscle contractions
Collapse or paralysis
Things You Need To Remember
In case your dog has been attacked and bitten by a snake, here’s what an expert or a veterinary pharmacist would advise to do (and what not to do):
Get away from the snake as fast as you can. Never compromise you and your pet’s safety — escape from the scene as quickly as possible.
Don’t try to identify the snake if you really can’t. Unless you’re a snake expert, don’t be frustrated if you can’t exactly identify the type of snake that attacked your dog. However, it pays to help to remember the snake’s characteristics (length of fangs, the color of skin).
Take your pet to the vet immediately. Call your vet as soon as possible to avoid the damage from escalating to a worse degree.
Remove your dog’s collar. While on your way, make sure your dog can breathe as comfortable as possible. Also, keep it isolated in a carrier so it can stay as quiet and as untouched as possible.
Treating Snake Bites
Once you arrive at the clinic, give all the possible information you can to the attending vet so he or she can fully assess your pet’s situation. He or she would need to treat your canine friend depending on the symptoms your pet is exhibiting.
For non-venomous bites, the general treatment involves cleaning the wound thoroughly. And based on your dog’s behavior, a list of medications you’d need to give to a veterinary pharmacist will be prescribed (e.g. Antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories).
For venomous bites, the most common treatment is an antivenom. This is best given in a span of six hours after your pet got the snake bite. Apart from this, other medications (like what’s mentioned above) is also prescribed. In worst cases of snake bites, dogs are required to have oxygen support. Intravenous fluids and corticosteroids are also given to minimize any damage. Depending on the severity of the bite, your pet would need to stay longer at the clinic or at the hospital.
At Akina Animal Health, we have the best veterinary pharmacist at your service. If you’ve health concerns regarding your pets, contact us today and we will be more than glad to help.
