Dog get bitten by a snake? Here’s what to do, next steps if the vet isn’t nearby
Snakes rarely bite humans — and deaths due to snake bites are even rarer — but whether out for a hike or just wandering the yard, dogs do sometimes get bit.
“It’s always a safe thing with these animals to seek some medical advice,” Dr. Steven Price, a herpetologist and associate professor at the University of Kentucky, told the Herald-Leader in a recent interview.
Kentucky is home to four types of venomous snakes — the timber rattlesnake, the cottonmouth, the pygmy rattlesnake and the copperhead, the most common variety.
If your dog is bitten by a snake, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian and explain the situation as calmly as you can.
That said, if you’re on an established trail “the risk is pretty minimal,” unless your dog is all over the place, Price said.
Know the symptoms of a snake bite on dogs
Before you hit the trails with your dog, make sure you’re familiar with the warning signs that point to a snake bite in case you miss the encounter itself.
A chief symptom is pain at the site of the wound. Most snakebites are made on a pet’s limb, according to a recent report from our sister newsroom, The News & Observer.
If your dog is bitten on one of its legs, you’ll likely notice it limping to avoid putting weight on the leg due to pain.
There will also be swelling and bleeding at the wound site, though snake bites on a dog’s face, nose and tongue are also common and will likely be easier to spot through the dog’s fur. In that case, you should be able to see fang marks, and you’ll definitely see some rapid swelling.
You’ll also want to look out for excess drooling or difficulty breathing. Those symptoms can correspond with snake bites to the dog’s torso, mouth or tongue.
How to treat a snake bite on your dog
On your way to the vet’s office, you should render first aid immediately. If the snake was venomous, the bite could kill them within an hour, according to Indianapolis-based emergency pet hospital IndyVet.
Here’s what you should do, according to the Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies.
- Try to keep calm. Your dog will pick up on your stress, and that risks circulating the venom faster. If the bite is on a leg, angle it to keep the wound below the heart.
- Look for the bite wound. If you see it, rinse the wound with water to remove any excess venom.
- If your pet isn’t breathing, call your vet and ask for instructions on how to administer CPR. The Red Cross also has these instructions for performing pet CPR.
Don’t try sucking out the venom. It doesn’t work, and you’ll only risk infecting the wound.
How do they treat bites at the veterinary clinic?
Antivenom is a common treatment, but in most cases your dog will need to be hospitalized for additional treatment. In that case, your dog will be hospitalized for at least 24 hours, though probably longer.
After discharge, it will need at least one to two weeks of rest.
Prevention before cure
Sure, it’s a cliche, but only because it’s true. Most snake bites on dogs occur because they were where they shouldn’t have been.
The Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies recommends taking these preventative measures:
- Keep your backyard clean. Snakes can easily hide in overgrown grass and clutter can act as cover for rodents, which snakes of course prey on.
- Keep your dog on a leash. Some hiking trails are leash optional, though if you opt to use one, you can keep your dog from nosing around in places snakes like to hide. That includes tall grass, logs, holes and rocks.
- Consider looking into a rattlesnake aversion training program for your dog. They can commonly be found online.
In general, however, you shouldn’t excessively worry. Roughly 80% of dogs survive venomous snake bites when given proper and prompt care, according to the Morris Animal Foundation.
Do you have a question about Kentucky’s critters for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Dog get bitten by a snake? Here’s what to do, next steps if the vet isn’t nearby."