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Beware snakes are out and about!

Snake bite and your pet

Armed with curiosity and natural hunting instincts it is not uncommon for our favourite four legged friends to cross paths with a snake. At this time of year, even city dogs and cats can have these encounters in local parks particularly those near bodies of water such as lakes and beaches.

As snakes hibernate or are inactive during cold weather, snakebites usually occur in the summer months. Australia has a large number of venomous snakes but the tiger snake and brown snake (Dugite) account for the majority of snakebites in domestic pets.

Signs of Snakebite

Several factors will determine what sort of reaction your pet has to snakebite. The type of snake (some species of snake are more venomous than others), the amount of venom injected (depends of the size and maturity of the snake) and the site of the snakebite are all contributing factors.

Dogs and cats are most often bitten around the head and limbs. Usually the closer the bite is to the heart the quicker the venom will be absorbed into the pet's system and distributed around the body.

At the beginning of summer, when snakes first come, their venom glands tend to be fuller and their bites at this time are much more severe. The length of time since the snake last struck, can also be a contributing factor.

The usual signs of snakebite by a tiger or brown snake are:

Sudden weakness followed by collapse

Shaking or twitching of the muscles

Vomiting

Dilated pupils not responsive to light

In the later stages paralysis may occur and your pet may have blood in his or her urine.

First Aid

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake you should immobilise your pet and try to keep him/her as quiet as possible. It is vital that you take your pet to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. The sooner your pet is treated, the better their chances of survival.

If possible try to identify the snake, or get a description of its colour and approximate size, there are several types of antivenoms available and it will assist your veterinarian to determine the correct one.

Precautions

Dogs are inquisitive by nature. When exercising them in bush land (particularly near water) or near beach dunes during the warmer months of the year, use a leash.

Cats are naturally born to hunt and stalk anything that moves. This unfortunately can lead to an unpleasant end, if he/she encounters a snake. If you live in the outer suburbs or semi-rural areas, keep your backyard clear of long grass, and remove any piles of rubbish. This will help to reduce the number of hiding spots for snakes to reside in.

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