Snake Bite First Aid For Dogs & Cats

Snake Bite First Aid For Dogs & Cats

Snakes are unlikely to bite dogs, cats, and humans; however, if they are stepped on, attacked or provoked they may bite, piercing through fur and flesh to deliver often a fatal dose of toxin.

As can be seen by the diagram below, venom is stored in the venom gland. Poisonous snakes use their fangs to bite through their victims’ flesh, and venom travels through the primary and secondary venom ducts down through the venom canal where it is injected into their prey.

Some species of snakes are classified as non-venomous, meaning that other than mild symptoms and site wounds, they are not dangerous to dogs, cats, and humans. These bite wounds may also need attention at your local vet, and regardless of whether you are sure of which breed of snake has bitten your dog, it is always best to seek emergency vet treatment.

What are the dangers of snake bites on dogs?

1. Snake bit sites can be difficult to identify on dogs
2. Dogs may not show symptoms immediately after being bitten, but may have received a fatal dose of envenomation
3. The longer the dog snake bit is left untreated, the more advanced the clinical signs and the lower the chance of survival
4. The dangers of snake bites on dogs are high due to their natural hunting instincts
5. The only way to identify a snake is to count the scales of the physical snake or perform a snake detection test in clinic
6. Not all veterinary practices stock snake anti-venom, it is essential to ring ahead
7. Snake venom can compromise the dog’s blood coagulation (clotting) and can cause them to bleed to death
8. Snake bites can cause internal damage to kidneys, muscles, and the respiratory system

What does a snake bite look like on a dog?

Snake bites can be difficult to identify, as your dog may not appear to be in pain and the bite wound may be hidden underneath their fur coat. Because snakes have small, razor sharp fangs, the site of the wound may only have faint puncture marks (these could even look like a scratch). It is rare to find the bite site as there may not be a bruise, swelling, or redness, so if you suspect your dog may have been bitten by a snake, it is important to take note of the signs and symptoms of snake bites in dogs.

 What should you do if your dog is bitten by a snake?

Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and if they come across a snake their natural instinct will be to sniff around and investigate. If a snake feels threatened by the dog, it will likely bite. If your dog is bitten by a snake, here are a few important steps to follow:

• Stay calm.
• Try to identify if it’s a venomous or nonvenomous snake. (Perhaps take a picture with your phone to help identify it.)
• Inspect your dog. If the snake bite was venomous, you’ll see significant swelling in the area where the dog was bitten.
• Determine whether emergency care is needed. If your dog is having difficulty breathing or has collapsed, get them to an emergency pet clinic right away.
• Whether or not you seek emergency medical care, always contact your veterinarian. They will be able to talk you through the situation and tell you what to do next.

 Snake Bite Emergency Care

Top first aid tips for snake bites on dogs:

• Do not panic, and keep your dog calm
• Seek veterinary assistance immediately
• Phone your local vet and let them know you are on your way (in case they do not stock snake anti-venom they will be able to point you towards a vet that does)
• If it is at all possible, apply a firm bandage above, below, and over the site of the bite (if you know where your dog has been bitten). This assists in stopping the venom from spreading to the heart
• If the bite wound is on the face or neck, remove your dog’s collar as the area may swell
• Attempt to reduce your dog’s movement and activity

What Does a Snake venom do?

If a venomous snake bites a dog, it immobilizes the animal and destroys its body tissues resulting in excessive body fluids getting lost into the tissue spaces. The severity of the venom depends on the size of the dog as well as where the dog has been bitten. Certain snake bites may lead to the pet looking disoriented or drugged. If you notice your dog has been bitten it is essential to get the dog to a vet hospital as soon as possible.

Types of venom:

Venom is of two types: neurotoxic (affecting the nervous system) or hemotoxic (affecting the blood and vessels). The venom of many snakes contains both neurotoxins and hemotoxins.

Before getting to a vet

• Do NOT try to bleed the snake bite and do NOT attempt to suck venom through a cut or a fang mark. Do NOT try to handle the snake.
• If the bite is in an extremity such as a leg try putting on a tourniquet by tying it with a string snugly a couple of inches above the bite wound. There should be spaceyou’re your finger to pass under the tourniquet. If a string is not available use the sleeve of a shirt.
• Make sure you have another person with you to handle the dog as you get to a vet.
• If possible, have the description of the snake ready since a snake-specific anti-venom is the best option.
• The poison will cause swelling and may cause nostrils or the windpipe to swell and get constricted. To prevent more injury, remove the collar or harness. If breathing stops, be prepared to give your dog mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Keep your dog as immobile as possible by keeping it in a crate or having a person restrict the dog’s movements. Movement will speed up the spread of venom.
• Turn up the AC in the car to the maximum. The cold will slow down circulation. You may also apply an ice pack directly to the wound. Ice or anything from the freezer kept in a plastic bag to prevent fluid melting on the dog is a good ice pack. Keep the ice pack on the wound until you reach the vet.
• If you can see bite marks, rinse the wounds with water or wet-wipes to get the venom.

To keep your property safe from snakes there are a few things you can do:

• Check the foundation of the house for unsealed areas where pipes may be going in and out of the home.
• Check for basement doors or windows that don’t seal properly.
• Look for any openings in your home at ground level and seal them if possible.
• Check your porch, steps, and the area where your deck connects to your home.
• Remove piles of rocks, wood, or other debris.
• Cut long grass and undergrowth.
• Repair storage sheds with cracks or openings near the ground.

Symptoms of a Snake Bite On a Dog

Dogs may react to a snake bite right away, or it may take up to 24 hours for symptoms to appear. Common symptoms of a snake bite on a dog include:

• Sudden weakness and possible collapse
• Swollen area
• Puncture wounds
• Bleeding or bruising
• Trembling, twitching, and shaking
• Dilated pupils
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Bloody urine
• Paralysis (when they can’t move their body)

Different dogs may have different reactions to a snake bite depending on where they bitten and what type of snake bit them. A veterinarian can help determine which treatment options can help.

Treatment for Snake Bites on Dogs

The veterinarian will begin by giving your dog a physical exam and determine if and where your pet was bitten. The type of treatment provided to your dog will vary depending on the circumstances.

Some of the most common treatments for snake bites on dogs include:

• Clipping and cleaning bite wounds
• Antibiotics if there’s a large amount of tissue injury
• Intravenous (IV) fluids — to help them hydrate and recover
• Special fluids (colloids) — to help with hypotension
• Pain medications like opioids
• Antivenom — to neutralize the snake venom in the dog’s body
• Supplemental oxygen — to help if the dog is having trouble breathing on its own
• Vaccine — talk to the vet about a possible snake bite vaccine.
• Steroids or anti-inflammatory drugs — only used in some cases

Can a dog survive a snake bite? About 80% of dogs can survive a snake bite if it’s treated right away. If left untreated, dogs are less likely to recover.

Prevention of snakebite and home treatment of snake bite in dogs

• For the most part, snakes will share the habitat with you for food. Make sure there are no rats – the primary food source for snakes especially in urban areas. Rats will be where there is an open garbage or food source. Keep your surroundings clean.
• Make sure that you clear the underbrush and any place that a snake can use as a hiding place.
• Never leave your dog unsupervised even in your own yard.
• While out walking, control your dog with a leash at all times. Do not allow your dog to explore holes in the ground or dig under logs or rocks. Stay on open paths. If your dog is curious about “something” hidden in the grass, back off immediately.
• If you live in a snake-endemic region and a high-risk area, invest in a vacuum pump for snake bites and in antivenin (which must be kept refrigerated) and learn how to inject when required.

Snakebite Dos and Don ‘ts:

• DOremain calm and try to slow down your breathing by breathing in and out of your nose.
• DOkeep the wound below your heart level.
• DOmonitor your or the victims vital signs.
• DOkeep the portion of the body that was bitten immobilized and move it as little as possible.
• DOwash the wound with soap and water if available.
• DOlay the victim flat with their feet raised about 1 foot above their body if they go into shock.
• DOremove any rings, necklaces, watches, ankle wraps, knee braces, or anything else that could be restrictive to proper blood flow.
• DOloosely apply a bandage roughly 2 to 4 inches above the bite on the side closest to your heart if you are unable to seek specialized care within approximately 30 minutes. However, the bandage should be loose enough to be able to place 1 to 2 fingers underneath it. The idea here is to slow down the venom without significantly disrupting blood flow or cutting off blood flow all together. Be sure to check the bandage frequently to ensure it remains semi-loose as the limb may continue to swell and require the bandage be readjusted.

Don ‘ts:

• NOaspirin or other pain relievers.
• NO This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
• DO NOTtry to suck the venom out of the wound or cut into the bite with a knife. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury (see below explanation).
• DO NOTapply a cold compress or ice on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.
• DO NOTraise the wound above the heart. Raising it can cause venom to travel into the body. Holding it down, can increase swelling.
• DO NOTuse electric shock or a stun gun on the bite area. This method is under study and has yet to be proven effective. It could harm the victim.
• DO NOTwash the snake bite area treatment strongly recommend against cleaning the wound. Traces of venom left on the skin/bandages from the strike can be used in combination with a snake bite identification kit to identify the species of snake. This speeds determination of which anti-venom to administer in the emergency room.
• DO NOTtry and capture the snake. If it’s safe you can try to take a photo with a camera or with your phone. This is the best way in aiding snake identification.

Compiled  & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the

Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

 Image-Courtesy-Google

 Reference-On Request

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article of Pashudhan Praharee  is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional Veterinary  action which is provided by your vet. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For any emergency situation related to a Pet’s / Animal health, please consult your Regd. Veterinarian or nearest veterinary clinic.

SNAKE BITES MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT IN LIVESTOCK

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