Pet First Aid for Snake Bites

Reduce your pet's risk of snake bites by keeping your lawn well-maintained and free of debris.

Pets are naturally inquisitive, but sometimes their curiosity can get them into trouble. Your pet could get bitten by a snake as it investigates tall grass, woods and shaded areas. Immediate veterinary care for snake bites is critical. Poisonous bites can be deadly, and nonpoisonous wounds are infection risks. First aid can be dangerous if applied incorrectly. It should only be used if you're in an isolated location, and even then should be applied on the way to medical care.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric Wrap
• Splint
• Disinfectant

Instructions

1. Move your pet to a safe distance away from the snake. Do not touch the snake, even if dead. Snakes are capable of reflexive bites up to an hour after death.

2. Locate the wounds. If the bites were poisonous, the wounds will appear puffy and swollen. Swelling may also be apparent on the pet's face and legs. Do NOT attempt to suck poison from the wound, cut the wound, apply ice or cut off circulation around the injury. Begin first aid only as a last resort if you are far from help. All first aid carried out by non-veterinarians carries increased risk.

3. Cleanse the wound with disinfectant, but do not flush with water. Washing with water will remove all traces of venom and make it difficult for the vet to perform a venom identification test.

4. If the bite is on a limb, immobilize the bitten area with a wrap. Use a cloth or conforming bandage. Wrap it around the entire bitten limb from paw to torso. Wrap firmly, but do not cut off circulation.

5. Place a splint along the bandaged limb. Wrap the splint with a second bandage. Keep the limb in a natural position. Keep the immobilized area below the heart.

6. Take your pet immediately to the nearest vet. Carry the animal to minimize movement. Be careful, as the pain of the bite may cause the animal to snap or act out. If the bite was poisonous, the animal may experience shock, weakness, diarrhea and vomiting.

Tips & Warnings

• Pantyhose can be used wrap a wound if no bandages are available. Makeshift splints can be made out of sticks or rolled-up newspaper.

• Keep your pet as calm as possible, a faster heart beat will circulate venom around the body more quickly. Remaining calm yourself will help keep your pet at ease.

• Record physical characteristics you remember about the snake. This will help the vet determine is the bite was venomous, and, if so, what treatment to use. Poisonous North American snakes will likely have triangular heads with a pit in the middle. All but cotton mouth snakes will have slitted eyes. Rattles, white mouth linings or red, black and yellow rings along the snake's body are also associated with venomous breeds.

• Even if your pets snake bite does not appear to look poisoned, seek veterinary attention. Nonpoisonous snake bites can still result in infections if not properly treated.

References

• American Family Physician: Venomous Snakebites in the United States: Management Review and Update
• The Mayo Clinic: Snake Bites
• Today @ Colorado State University
• USDA Forest Services: Safety, Dogs and Other Pets
• K9Forensic: First Aid
• Pet Alert: Bites and Stings