How to Treat a Snakebite on a Horse

Most snakebites in the United States are from nonpoisonous snakes, but any snakebite, particularly one on your horse's muzzle, should be taken seriously. A snakebite can be life-threatening, so don't panic but act quickly. While your vet will handle most of your horse's treatment, there are steps you can take to make your horse more comfortable and to help slow down the spread of any venom.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Cold water and sponge
• 6-inch piece of garden hose

1. Restrict your horse's movements and try to keep her quiet. Movement increases blood pressure and will speed up the distribution of any venom throughout her body. Keep your horse relaxed, and if the bite is on her muzzle, lower her head. Gravity will also help the toxin spread, so don't do anything that will cause her to lift her head.
2. Sponge your horse off with cool water if she's hot. Run it over her body, but avoid the wound since it will be sore. Running water over it may cause her to move about.
3. Check the date of your horse's last tetanus shot. When your vet arrives, he will clean the wound and treat any swelling, pain and other symptoms. If necessary, he will prescribe antibiotics and update your horse's tetanus toxin immunization. Like any puncture wound, a contaminated snakebite is an inviting environment for tetanus. If it has been a year or more since your horse's last tetanus booster, your vet will give her another.
4. Look for and identify the snake--if it is possible for you to do so without putting yourself in jeopardy. If you find the snake or it was already visible, memorize the snake's markings and shape. Your vet will be able formulate a better plan of action and treatment if he knows what type of snake bit your horse.
5. Insert a 6-inch piece of garden hose gently into your horse's nasal passage. This is a last resort to keep her airways open if your vet is still on the way and the swelling becomes so severe that it inhibits your horse's breathing.

Tips & Warnings

• Less than 50 percent of horses that are bitten by poisonous snakes are actually injected with venom. Only 25 percent of those horses that are actually injected with venom die. Most deaths are from a severe initial reaction, such as breathing or heart problems, or a result of a secondary, chronic condition such as wound complications, laminitis, pneumonia or diarrhea.
• Do not cut the wound. This will just increase the chance of infection.
• Do not try to suck out any venom. This should be done within 3 minutes of the bite and only by a professional with a special suction cup. If your horse was envenomed and you did mange to draw it out with your mouth, the thin membranes of your mouth or any cuts in your mouth can cause the venom to pass into you.
• Do not apply any heat or ice to the bite. Though there is often a great deal of swelling around the wound, and ice/cold is a traditional method used to reduce swelling, this can actually irritate the wound, causing it to swell even more, which may result in the tissues in the affected area rupturing or dying.