How to Treat Snake Bites in Pets

Venomous snakes pose a threat to pets as well as people. When our pets spend time outside in warmer weather (or in the case of climates like California, year 'round) there is always the risk of snake bites. As you are probably aware, snake bites can often be fatal—therefore how you treat the bite can be a matter of life and death for your pet. Here are the steps to treating snake bites in pets.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Keep your dog or cat as still and calm as possible, and if you can, pick your pet up. The slower his pulse and breathing, the slower he will absorb the venom.

2. If your pet was bitten on the neck, remove her collar. If it’s a bitten limb, keep the limb below your pet’s heart level.

3. Immediately call the closest vet or animal emergency clinic if it’s after hours and see if they have antivenin for snake bites (not all vets stock it). Ask the vet if you should administer Benadryl in the meantime (usual dose for snake bites is 2 mg. per pound of pet’s body weight).

4. Identify the type of snake or try to describe it without getting near it.

5. Never do any of the following: try to cut out the wound, suck out the poison, apply ice, a cold pack or tourniquet. Although you don’t want the poison spreading to the vital organs, you also don’t want it concentrated in one place.

6. Get your pet to the vet immediately. The vet will likely administer antivenin along with intravenous fluids.

Tips & Warnings

• There is a rattlesnake vaccine available for dogs and cats. If you spend a lot of time camping or hiking with your pet or in an area frequented by rattlesnakes, consult with your vet about administering the vaccine. It won’t necessarily save your pet’s life, but can buy time until you get to the vet.
• A snake bite can cause your pet’s face and neck area to swell up, which could close the respiratory tract and cut off breathing. This can cause more immediate danger than the bite itself.
• Even if the snake that bites your pet isn't poisonous, snakes transmit bacteria, so veterinary care is still essential.

[DreamLiving]

on 5/28/2009 Thanks so much for this article. We have rattlesnakes in this area. I put down Snake-Away from Lowe's, which is supposed to deter the snakes, but I stay watchful because our neighbor's dog was bitten by a rattler (and the dog died).