Help! My Dog Has Been Bitten By A Snake!
82
Did you know that over 15000 dogs and cats are bitten by snakes each year? Considering that dogs, as well as cats enjoy playing with just about anything that moves, this fact should not come as a surprise! Non-poisonous snakebites can cause pain and infection, but venomous snakebites can be deadly! In fact, once a dog or cat has been bitten by a poisonous snake, they can be dead within an hour or two.
Dogs are bitten more than cats are…most likely because they often go for walks with their owners in wooded areas (cats aren't really known for long walks…or any walks for that matter). Dogs are also much more sensitive to snake venom than cats, and have the highest fatality rate (of any domestic animal) when it comes to snakebites. If you live in one of the following states, watch out! These states have the highest dog snakebite statistics. They include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Texas and South Carolina.
For obvious reasons, most dogs are bitten on the face and neck. There are many different factors that determine the severity of the bite. These factors include how much venom the snake is able to inject into your pet, the size of the snake versus the size of the dog it has bitten, and the number of times the snake actually bites your pet. Ouch! The most common sign that your dog has been bitten is severe swelling. Often, because the swelling hides the fang marks, many people think their dog has actually been stung by a bee or spider.
If your dog is bitten by a pit viper or copperhead the area around the bite actually turns to a different color almost immediately. The venom from these snakes is very powerful and can also cause bleeding disorders (such as severe bruising and or bloody nose). If your dog is bitten by a pit viper or a copperhead, seek veterinarian assistance IMMEDIATELY! If you are not certain of the type of snake that has bitten your dog, again, drop EVERYTHING and rush your dog to the emergency veterinary hospital.
What To Do!
- Keep your dog as calm and still as possible! If possible, do not allow your dog to move at all! Movement will only circulate the poison through your dog's body at a faster rate.
- Take off your dog's collar! If your dog's neck swells, the collar will only hinder breathing.
- While transporting your pooch, turn up the air conditioner as high as it will go! Cold air will help to slow down your dog's circulation.
- Rinse the area of the snake bite. This will wash off any venom that remains on your dog's skin and or fur. Have a friend drive so you can do this while on your way to the emergency veterinary clinic.
- Place a cold pack on the area that was bitten. Ice will reduce the swelling and slow your pet's circulation. If your dog will not allow ice (due to pain) try a bag of frozen vegetables. Again, have a friend drive so you can tend to your dog. Apply the cold pack for ten to twenty minutes at a time.
- If possible, keep the bite below the level of the heart.
Follow-Up Care
Most dogs that are bitten by poisonous snakes die within two hours. Those who are treated and survive beyond that point, usually recover but are not completely "out of the dark" for up to TEN DAYS after being bitten. Due to the high cost, most veterinary hospitals do not carry antivenin treatments. However, they will treat your dog with steroids, antibiotics and possibly a tetanus shot. You can also expect your dog to stay overnight at the hospital, so have your veterinary pet insurance card ready! Once released from the hospital you will probably be responsible for administering oral antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medication. These medications will need to be given until the area that was bitten is completely healed. Your veterinarian may also recommend applying a cold compress to the "tender area" and may also give your dog pain medication.
Snakebites are NO laughing matter! If possible, take precautions such as making your dog stay on the path instead of allowing him to run off into a wooded area. Also avoid high grasses, streams and creeks. Oh…one other important note, if you happen to come across a dead snake…BEWARE! Even dead snakes can bite and poison you and or your pet! How, you ask? Well, many poisonous snakes retain a reflexive action for up to an hour after death. This means that even though it is dead, if your dog (or you) touches it, it can still bite! Who knew!? So, play it safe, and avoid all snakes…dead or alive! Woof!
If you have a few minutes to spare, please visit some of my other dog related HUB Pages! Thanks!
Help! My dog has been stung by a bee!
The wonderful world of dog beds.
Zero Odor - The only odor removing spray you will ever need.
CommentsLoading...
Hi Susan! Thanks for sharing your story. Personally, I am not very fond of snakes...thank goodness I have not come across any while walking my dogs!
My puppy just got bitten by a snake, I am still unsure of what kind it was. She is in the vet now and has been there since 1 oclock this afternoon. The vet was informative that her vital signs are low, do you think she is going to be okay?
Courtney: It all depends on what kind of snake bit your dog and how fast treatment was provided. I truly hope that your puppy will be ok! Sorry to hear that you (and your pup) are going through such a horrible experience. My thoughts are with you!
Our 6 yo westie mix was bitten twice, but we are unsure of the type of snake. We rushed him to the ER Vet, and he was in such severe pain that the vet sedated him. :( Poor guy. That was last night...he is now home and resting comfortably. Both the ER vet that treated him and our regular vet that did the followup confirms that he will be just fine. He stayed last night and was given IV steroids, antibiotics, and histimines. Now he is on oral antibiotics and pain meds. Our quick action (we were at the vets office within 20 minutes) probably saved his life. The snake that bit him was likely a copperhead or cottonmouth, based on our region, and according to both vets, was a very large snake.
Rachel: Thank goodness your dog is going to be OK! So glad you rushed him to the vet without a second thought. Thank you for your comment...much appreciated.
my dog was bitten and started limping so we thought she had
autherites ( if thats how its spelled ) so we gave her some meds and when we saw the bite on her leg we didn't no
what to do! I'm really scared ( and avallable )
I was in Australia and my cat got bitten by a brown snake. In 5 minutes she was dead. My parents were glad it was the cat and not me that got the bite.
My "boerbull" dog was bitten this afternoon by a "pofadder". Her neck is swolen and she's constantly bleeding we treated her with anti-venom and everything she's hanging by a thread i mean she's 9 years old.
Hi Barry!
So sorry to hear that your dog was bitten. Sounds AWFUL! I hope your dog pulls through! When my brother's dog was bitten there was a lot of swelling. Thankfully, they were able to get her to the vet in time. Good luck...I'll say a little prayer for your pup!
my pet jack Russel was bitten i live in Australia .... it was by our poisonous snake in the area .. it was a brown snake ... he was on life support and had anti venom .. sad to say he didn't make it and i will miss him dearly ... please watch out people ... make sure you surrender everything and give main priority to your pooch .... :)
Daniel: So sorry your pup didn't make it after being bitten. I can't imagine losing one of my dogs in such a way....very sad. Thanks for sharing your experience. :-)
We believe that last night our four month old Lab was bitten by a rattler. We heard the seasoned vet give three loud warning barkes, then we heard the little girl start to whine. See how it was 1:30 AM, I just thought she was being a brat. Went out at about 2:00 because she didn't stop and she bolted out of her run. Thought it might have been a coyote that got to close to her run and scared her, but when I took her into the garage I could see that her face was very swollen. Not sure what to do, I gave her an Claritin. Went back out in the morning and her face was still swollen but she acted fine. Gave her another claritin and had her eat a little food. By mid day she still acted fine, although she has had diarhea. Swelling has gone done a bunch. Could not see puncture wounds and am wondering if it was a snake or maybe a black widow? Any thoughts, or were we just lucky?
sounds like you guys were lucky robert .... i miss my dog so much i wish he was as fortunate as your lil lab :) please give your dog a big hug for me ... god bless!!
My Maltese was bitten by a copperhead six weeks ago. We rushed her to the Vet. when it happened, but she is still on antibiotics. The Vet. told us he may need to do surgery. She was bitten just below her eye.
Thank you for the information in your Hub!
my six month old pittbulls face is swollen pretty bad but im not sure what snake. it was it has been two hours scice and she still walking around and wagging her tell a little less hyper but seems quite fine. i cant get to the vet because he is never at the office. what should i do?
Bryan: If the swelling has not gone down by now, you should take your dog to the vet. Call and make an appointment. If your vet is not available...go to a different animal hospital. In the mean-time...continue to monitor your dog for swelling, strange behavior, etc.
My boyfriends pitbull was bit by a snake and I am unsure of what kind. Her paw is swelling and I have some antibiotics of hers that I have gave her. The vets around my area want cash only and I don't have it right now...is there anything more I can try to do to save my boyfriends dog???
CandiGurl: Sorry to hear about your boyfriend's dog! You are in a tough situation as a vet visit may be in order. It all depends on the type of snake that bit your dog. Do you have any idea? In the meantime, wash the area and put a cold compress on the bite. If your dog was bit by..say a copperhead...he would probably die within a few hours if not treated. Sooo...if your dog is still alive after a few hours (without treatment) you may be in the clear and general care will be in order. Good luck!!!
my dog has been bitten in the neck or face 3-4 times and a vet isn't open until monday(it is sat.)wat do i do im scared
also he is swolen really bad his head is litterally the size of a basketball
mmgolden: Sorry I am only now answering your comment. I hope your dog is ok! Sounds to me like your dog needed to be taken to the emergency vet asap. Please let me know if your pup is ok!
This has always been a huge concern for my wife and I when walking our dogs. What to do if they are bitten by a snake, because they are somewhat prevalent in our part of the county. This was some great info, I just hope we never have to use it. Thanks for a great Hub
Help! My chow chow dog was bitten by a cobra in the eye area, around noon, we called the vet and they said we just have to give him some antibiotics for 5 days, but i don't know if my baby will survive. I'm stressed out!
Our TeaToy Poodle was bitten by a copperhead. during recovery we had a hard time getting him to eat. We eventually resorted to syringing baby food (lamb, beef and ham only) and pedialyte into his mouth and giving him small doses of liquid B12. Within 2 days he was much more alert and actually trying to play ball with us.
We also gave him half doses of children's benadryl to help with the swelling
i think my dog was bitten by a snake his whole head has swollen and a mark is under his neck he seems fine we put him on antibiotics and now the place under his neck has opened up the size of a fist you can see the meat and the fur and skin is gone what can i do
Karen: If at all possible, get your dog to a vet asap!!
Hi, my 10 month old Jack Russell has been bite 3 times today by a pofadder (1 of South Africa's most deadly snakes), 1 on his head, 1 on his cheek and 1 on his neck. His whole face is swollen up, but we got to the vet in 45 min and she said that he may just make it. Its nou 9 hours later and his heart is pumping strong and has a good breathing. But the first 24 hours is the most critical fase. Let's hope that tomorrow when the vet phones my Russell still lives. :)
I am sorry to say but my 10 month old Jack Russell didn't survive the night and was buried today. My best advice to people is to get your dog to a vet as soon as possible!
Stefan...SO SORRY!!!! My thoughts are with you. I hope the new year brings you peace, happiness and many fond memories of your Jack Russell. Hang in there.
SusanWesty 2 years ago
Interesting article. One of my dogs was great at warning us when a snake was around. He'd bark furiously, a very specific bark, while he'd try to corner the snake. He was bitten once, on his back leg, by a poisonous cobra--a baby one--and the amazing thing is that he actually survived He began shaking and vomiting, but after resting a while he was normal and the vet confirmed he'd be fine! We figured it must have been a very light snake bite.