Snake Season is Upon Us!

Snake Season- What to do if your pet has been bitten and what to look for

As summer is fast approaching, there is one thing that the hot weather brings... snakes. As snakes hibernate during cold weather, snake bites usually occur in summer. Being vigilant during summer is very important and ensuring that during the warmer months keeping your lawn mowed, ensuring debris is removed to reduce hiding places in your yard and being very careful when taking dogs for walks especially around bush land. The most common types of snake bites that we see around this area are brown snakes (gwardar and dugite) which are both highly venomous.

What are the signs of a snake bite?

·         Vomiting

·         Dilated pupils

·         Hypersalivation

·         Shaking or tremoring of the muscles

·         Seizing

·         Weakness/wobbliness

·         Collapse

·         Progressive paralysis

·         Blood in their urine

·         Irregular bleeding from nose or mouth

Symptoms can appear within 1-24 hours of being bitten.

If you have seen your pet with a snake in their mouth or playing with it DO NOT wait for your pet to develop advanced signs before bringing them into a vet as we can do a blood test to see if they have been bitten just not showing signs yet, the longer you leave it the less likely they are to survive!! If your pet develops any of these signs and you are unsure if they have been bitten by a snake always call your veterinary clinic straight away.

Approximately 80% of pets survive snake bites if treated quickly, however the survival rate is much lower if left for prolonged periods of time and will lead to death if left untreated completely.

What to do and what not to do-

If you suspect your dog has been bitten immediately keep your pet calm and stop them from running around as this halts the spread of venom around the body. Carry your dog or cat rather than letting them walk and get them to a vet immediately. Do NOT try to catch and bring the snake into the vets or identify the snake. Snakes are protected under Australian law so never attempt to kill them as this puts you at risk. Do NOT suck out the venom, cut the wound, use ice or use a torniquet, these methods do not work and just waste precious time.

How do we treat snake bites?

Snake bites are treated as one of the top priorities in veterinary emergencies, it is always important to call ahead and let your vet know you are coming so the veterinary team can prepare necessary equipment before arrival.

Anti-venom is the only treatment for snake bites and supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy or cooling may be needed to help with symptoms displayed. Each vial of anti-venom must be given slowly over 30 minutes intravenously and will be monitored very closely for reactions. Vitals (heart rate, gum colour and temperature etc.) are checked every 5 minutes to see if they are improving or declining. In some cases, patients may need multiple vials of anti-venom. Anti-venom contains purified antibodies created to target specific venom components, when injected into a patient the antibodies circulate and physically attach themselves to the venom toxins. Once they have blinded to the toxin it prevents them from attaching to nerve receptors, muscle tissue or clotting mechanisms. In some cases of snake bites, patients may have to stay in hospital for days at a time to receive fluid therapy and close monitoring.

Did you know?

Anti-venom is made by injecting small amounts of venom into larger animals (normally horses) to trigger an immune response, the immune system produces a specialized, venom-neutralizing antibodies (anti-venom).