Hiking and swimming are popular past times for many families with four-legged companions. It’s a great way to experience nature, get exercise, and let your pet use their nose. Unfortunately, your pet’s curiosity may get them into trouble if they come across a snake, and a venomous one at that! The following information will help prepare you in the event your pet is ever in contact with a venomous snake.
Venomous snakes can be found in almost every state throughout the United States. Dogs are notorious for coming nose-to-nose with these potentially deadly creatures. Snakes may blend in with their surroundings, but when provoked or threatened they will attack, sinking their fangs into your pet’s skin and releasing venom. Not all snakes pose the same danger though. The cottonmouth and copperhead snakes create more local tissue damage, while the coral snake or the rattlesnake may cause bleeding disorders, respiratory distress, and potentially death. These reactions tend to happen quite quickly. Seeking immediate veterinary care after a snake bite is imperative for a good prognosis.
When you are in an area that has the potential for contact with venomous snakes, some first-aid essentials to bring include:
- Water for rinsing a bite wound
- Cell phone to contact a local veterinary hospital or Pet Poison Helpline
- Camera to get a picture of the snake for proper identification
- Pressure bandage material to prevent slow movement of venom for coral snake bites only (DO NOT USE FOR RATTLESNAKE OR COPPERHEAD BITES)
Keeping yourself safe and calm will help you perform the necessary first aid for your pet.
Clinical signs may be seen in as little as 30 minutes, or be delayed by as long as 48 hours, depending on which snake species is involved. Signs to watch for while traveling to a veterinary facility include difficulty breathing, weakness, stumbling, staggering or falling, changes in behavior or consciousness, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Accurate identification is important. Does the old adage “red touches yellow, kill a fellow” ring a bell? Coral snakes can be the deadliest snakes in the United States, being able to accurately distinguish them from the non-venomous king snake is imperative. Knowing this information will aid in identifying clinical signs, selecting the proper anti-venom (if available), as well as necessary monitoring and treatment.
Prognosis for snake envenomation tends to be good with proper first aid and immediate veterinary care. Being prepared for an encounter with a venomous snake may save your pet’s life. If your pet has been bitten by a snake, contact your local veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline to assist with identification and treatment.
Written by:
Bayli Boehm, Pet Poison Helpline DVM student extern, University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 2022
Samantha Koch, CVT, Veterinary Information Specialist II, Pet Poison Helpline
