Snakebites are common in pets, especially dogs, because dogs are often curious and try to play with moving critters. In fact, about 150,000 dogs and cats are bitten by poisonous snakes each year in the United States alone.
I covered pets and snakebite first aid in my book The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats, and share much of that information here. But some information has since changed so I reached out to Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, Chief Veterinarian at Petco, for her advice.
20 Poisonous Snake Species in the United States
Nonpoisonous snakebites cause pain and infection, but venomous snakes can kill a dog or cat within only an hour or two. In fact, dogs are much more sensitive to snake venom than cats, and fatal snakebites are more common in dogs than in any other domestic animal. Every state but Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii have at least one of the 20 poisonous snake species native to the United States. Your pet is most at risk for poisonous snake bite if you live in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or Texas.
“Rattlesnakes are especially common in southwestern states such as California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, but they can be found in almost every U.S. state. Rattlesnake season generally runs from April through early fall when the weather is warmer and snakes come out of brumation, which is their version of hibernation,” says Dr. Miller.
Signs of Snakebite
Most pets are bitten on or near the face and neck when they try to catch snakes, but the bites to the body typically are more dangerous. The severity of the bite depends on the size of the snake compared with the size of the pet, the number of bites, and the amount of venom that’s injected. Some types of venom attack the central nervous system, in which case the pet may act drunk, have seizures, or stop breathing suddenly. But the most common snakebite sign when venom has been injected is sudden, severe swelling that often hides any marks, so the wound looks like an insect sting or spider bike.
“Rattlesnake bites may have two small puncture wounds and typically swell immediately, which can be a very noticeable sign on a pup,” says Dr. Miller. You may not notice the bite right away in heavily furred pets, though. She says lethargy, limping, neurological differences, vomiting and heavy panting can also be common symptoms of a rattlesnake bite.
Consequences of Dog Snakebites
The venom from pit vipers like copperheads actually digests the flesh, so the area around the bite becomes discolored within minutes. It can also cause bleeding disorders (bruising or bloody nose) that look like rat poisoning. Quick medical attention is important because even if the bite isn’t life-threatening, irreversible damage from the venom begins immediately.
Because it’s often difficult to tell the difference between harmless and deadly bites, rush your pet to the vet if you think she has been bitten. First aid can help your pet while you’re on the way.
What to Do for Pet Snakebites
Check for signs of shock. Coral snake venom and some rattlesnake venom can paralyze the respiratory system. Bites to the face can cause the nostrils or windpipe to swell and make it hard to breathe. Remove the dog’s collar or harness to make sure it doesn’t constrict areas that swell from the bite. Also be prepared to perform rescue breathing should that become necessary.
Restrict Movement. “Keep your pet as calm as possible and prevent them from moving too much to slow the blood flow and spread of venom,” says Dr. Miller. Movement speeds up the blood circulation, so the poison travels more quickly, and you want to prevent the venom from spreading from the bite to the rest of her body. Transport your bitten pet in a carrier, or otherwise restrict movement.
Rinse the Wound. If the bite is visible, flush the wound quickly with water to wash away any surface venom. Also, turn up the AC in the car, which may help slow down the blood circulation. Lowering the bite below the level of the pet’s heart also helps slow the spread of the poison. But don’t struggle with your dog to accomplish this. Above all, keep her calm until you arrive at the emergency vet.
Don’t Delay Snakebite Treatment!
Most pets who die from snakebite succumb within 1 to 2 hours of the bite, so timely vet attention saves pet lives. Pets who survive beyond that point usually recover. But it can take up to 10 days after the bite to fully recover. Even bites from nonvenomous snakes require antibiotics to prevent possible infection.
For venom that causes necrosis (death of the tissue), you’ll see signs of tissue rotting about 4 to 5 days after the bite. The wounds are slow to heal and can spread without veterinary follow up treatment. Your vet may show you how to clean and flush the wound with water to help speed healing.
Dr. Miller cautions, “Treatment plans vary based on the severity and location of the snake bite. Call ahead to ensure the hospital has availability and proper tools, such as anti-venom, to care for your pet.”
What NOT To Do For Pet Snakebite
“Never attempt to suck the venom out of a snake bite. This often appears in movies but can be very unsafe for both the pet and pet parent and unfortunately doesn’t lessen the impact of the venom,” says Dr. Miller.
Current advice also cautions against using vacuum pump devices in commercial snakebite kits. While they might help if you’re many hours away from medical care, they must be used within 3 minutes or so of the bite to have any positive effect.
“Also, don’t apply a tourniquet, pressure or ice to the bite wound. This will restrict blood flow to the site and can exacerbate the wound.“
How to Avoid Snakebite
Be aware of snake habitat and avoid areas where you expect to find snakes. Check with your local county extension agents for advice in your area. Like any other creature, snakes need shelter and food. Reducing brushy debris that harbors snake prey (rodents, for example) can keep them away from your property. Water-loving snakes may appear more during rainy weather when flooding displaces them.
“In addition to sticking to trails while out with pups and remaining vigilant, pet parents can consult their veterinarian to determine if their pet should receive the rattlesnake vaccine,” suggests Dr. Miller. She says Petco offers rattlesnake vaccinations at Vetco Total Care hospitals and Vetco vaccination clinics in high-risk areas.
What about you? Has your pet ever encountered a snake, or received a venomous bite? What happened? Please share!
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Thank you for this important article. Salem, our 7lb chihuahua, was bitten by a copperhead last year and it was a terrifying experience. Please go to an *emergency* vet if you suspect it could be a snake bite. We went to our regular vet and because we got there so soon after the bite happened they did not recognize the symptoms in part because it was on the inside of his leg and they couldn’t see the bite marks. They thought it was a bee sting, and sent us home. When the benedryl didn’t work, we took him to the emergency vet who recognized what was happening immediately. We were incredibly lucky he survived. It took more than a week in the hospital and a lot of antivenin and other meds to save him. It was an incredibly stressful experience. I cried so much and was so stressed and terrified, but worse, my little guy was in a lot of pain and so frightened. He lost his leg but he’s doing so well. I’m so proud of my tough little dog. (Oh and a lot of people get the terminology mixed up, but snakes are venomous, not poisonous. Venomous animals inject toxins via biting whoever threatens them (or in the case of platypuses, by injection via a specialized claw), while poisonous animals emit toxins via their skin or other glands that cause predators to get sick when they injest of the toxin while trying to eat them.)
I’m so sorry you and Salem went through this but thank goodness he’s now doing well! Thanks for the information. The more we know, the better we can protect ourselves and our pets.