Signs of snake bite in dogs: What to do in an emergency

Given Australia is home to many of the world’s most venomous creepy crawlies and snakes, it’s recommended that every dog owner has good snake safety awareness. This involves not only knowing how to help protect your furry companion from potentially deadly snake bites in the first place, but also what to do if your dog suffers a bite from a venomous snake. Quick action can save your pup’s life!

Read on to learn about symptoms of a potential snake envenomation (poisoned by venom) in dogs, and what emergency first aid and veterinary treatment can be performed to increase the chances of a full recovery for your four-legged family member. Plus, we’ve got some useful tips on how to help prevent bites.

Ready to scale up your snake knowledge? Let’s dive in!

Signs your dog may have been bitten

It’s important to be aware of the potential symptoms of a snake bite, because you may not be present to actually see your dog being bitten, and snake bite marks are usually very difficult to spot on fluffy pets.

The symptoms that an envenomated pet experiences will depend on the type of snake they’ve been bitten by, as well as the dose of venom that they received. Common symptoms include:

• Wobbliness or general weakness/paralysis
• Collapse, followed by an apparent recovery
• Shaking or muscle tremors
• Dilated (large) pupils
• Vomiting
• Excessive drooling
• Shallow or laboured breathing
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Red or brown pee

It’s important to remember that pets may not develop obvious symptoms of envenomation for up to 24 hours after a bite. However, if you have seen your furry friend playing with a snake or otherwise suspect they have been bitten (e.g. finding a dead snake in your yard), you should still seek urgent veterinary care. The longer your dog goes without treatment after a bite, the lower their chances can be of recovery. Even if you’re not sure whether a bite has even occurred, your vet can assess your pet and discuss further testing and monitoring options.

Immediate first aid steps

If you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a snake, the two most important things to remember are:

1. Keep your pet calm and still
2. Seek immediate veterinary care

Over-exciting your dog can worsen the effects of the venom, so try to handle them calmly and limit their movement. If possible, carefully carry them to the car wrapped in a towel or using a blanket as a stretcher.

It’s recommended to phone your vet on the way to ensure that they have snake anti-venom in stock. This will also give them some preparation time so they can hit the ground running when your pet arrives.

Do not try to capture or kill the snake to show your vet, as they are a protected species and this can put you at serious risk of being bitten too.

Even if you saw your pet get bitten on the leg, do not apply a tourniquet, as cutting off blood flow to your pet’s limb can cause major complications (and may even cause the limb to die).

Lastly, do not attempt to suck out the venom, as this is ineffective, and can put you at risk too.

Vet treatment and anti-venom

Unless you saw your pet get bitten by a snake, it can be difficult for even experienced vets to diagnose snake envenomation on symptoms alone. This is because of the variety in symptom types and timings seen in different pets, and the fact that some of the symptoms can mimic other diseases, such as tick paralysis.

Your vet may be able to use a venom detection kit to get an indication of what type of snake your pet has been bitten by, although these are not 100% accurate and can sometimes give false negatives.

Other blood tests may help to give an indication of the type of snake your pet has been bitten by, and your vet may also be able to use a combination anti-venom that will be effective for multiple types of venom anyway (depending on the types of snakes usually found in your geographical region).

Treatment for your pet will involve:

• The administration of anti-venom to help neutralise active venom in their body
• Supportive care to help manage the effects of any symptoms such as breathing difficulties or shock, reduce the chances of venom-induced kidney damage, and keep your pet comfortable

The prompt use of anti-venom will significantly increase your pet’s chances of survival. Many vet’s state that waiting to take your pet to a veterinary office can lead to a worse prognosis or it can be too late for your pup.

More severely affected pets may require treatment at a 24-hour specialist hospital for advanced supportive care such as mechanical ventilation (breathing support via a machine whilst under anaesthesia).

Unfortunately, snake bite testing, anti-venom and intensive supportive treatment can lead to a large vet bill. Taking measures to avoid a potential snake bite can therefore be an essential part of pet care in Australia.

Recovery and follow up care

Depending on the severity of your pet’s venom poisoning, they may need anywhere from 1-10 days in hospital. Pets should ideally not go home until they can breathe and move comfortably, and can safely eat, drink and go to the toilet on their own.

Potential longer-term complications of snake bite include:

• Poor oesophagus function (leading to a risk of pneumonia from accidental inhalation of regurgitated stomach contents) for up to 6 weeks
• Kidney damage
• Anaemia due to red blood cell destruction

Preventing snake bites

When it comes to snake bites, prevention really is the best medicine, especially for your pets! While snakes are a natural part of the environment, there are a few simple steps you can take around your home to help keep them (and the risk of bites) at bay.

Start by making your backyard less inviting to snakes and their prey. Clear away piles of junk, keep woodpiles well away from the house, and fence off those cosy spaces under the veranda where snakes might like to hide. Regularly mowing your lawn and tidying up any scrubby undergrowth can also make a big difference.

Don’t forget to remove any potential food sources for rodents, this includes open compost heaps or uncovered pet food, since snakes follow the scent of a snack. With a bit of effort, you can help create a safer space for your furry friends to enjoy the outdoors.

If you spot a snake, the best thing to do is stay calm and bring your pet indoors straight away. Then, give a local professional snake catcher a call! They’ll know exactly what to do and can give you the right advice for your area.

When you’re out and about, it’s also a good idea to take a few precautions. Keep your dog on a lead (unless their recall is rock-solid) to avoid any unexpected snake encounters. Try to steer clear of long grass, rocky outcrops, or any tempting hidey-holes where snakes might be resting. A little awareness goes a long way when it comes to keeping your pet safe and snake bite-free!

The bottom line? Be prepared, stay safe.

When it comes to snake bites, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Snake bites are a serious threat to our canine companions – but with the right precautions and quick action, you can give your fur-bestie the best chance at a full recovery. Prevention is key, but if the unexpected happens, having support you can trust can make all the difference.