How To Treat A Pet For Snake Bites & Snake Bite Prevention

By Dr. Adam Cooner – Co-owner, Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital

In Alabama, warmer weather and longer days generally increase the chance of encountering wildlife, including snakes – which is why it’s important to know how to treat a pet for snake bites & snake bite prevention.

Fans of Indiana Jones may be groaning: “Why did it have to be snakes?” I must confess that I’m the exception: snakes are some of my favorite animals, and a little knowledge goes a long way toward easing the fear associated with them. That said, it’s also important to recognize that venomous snake bites do pose a threat to our pets.

Most of Alabama’s native snakes are non-venomous and of no medical significance, but there are a few species whose bite can cause serious health problems. Snakes are not generally aggressive but will bite in self-defense if surprised or otherwise threatened. In central Alabama, the only venomous snakes you are likely to encounter are the copperhead, cottonmouth (water moccasin), and timber rattlesnake. These snakes produce and store venom in specialized salivary glands. They deliver this venom through long, tube-like fangs that are kept folded parallel to the jaws until they rotate out during a strike. While we’re on the subject, it’s a myth that baby snakes are more dangerous than adults: larger adult snakes can deliver more venom in their bites, and, therefore, their bites pose more of a threat.

What Are The Signs Of A Snake Bite?

The key indicators of a snake bite – also known as snake envenomation – are pain and rapid onset swelling. Bruising of the bite site and surrounding area also may be seen. The fangs themselves are more like hypodermic needles than the teeth of other predators, and the absence of bite marks does not rule out envenomation. In the hours to days following such a bite, tissue damage, including loss of skin, may develop. Snake envenomation often causes excessive bleeding, much like a prescription blood thinner. Impact to the function of the organs, including the kidneys and liver, is possible in severe cases.

Common Sense Strategies For Snake Bite Prevention

Obviously, it’s preferable to avoid snake bites altogether, but don’t waste time or money on products advertised as snake repellents: none of them work. Placing mothballs outside is ineffective and illegal to boot. Instead, use some commonsense strategies to minimize the risk of snake bites.

• Keep cats indoors.
• During the heat of the summer, venomous snakes are seen most often after dark. Walk your dog on a leash or in a fenced, well-lit, well-kept yard after dark.
• Avoid tall grasses. Don’t allow your dog to go off-trail while on hikes.
• Be aware that bird feeders may attract rodents, a favored prey item of most snakes.
• Snake avoidance training is recommended for high-risk dogs.

What To Do If Your Pet Sustains A Snake Bite

If your pet is bitten by a venomous snake – or if you suspect a snake bite based on your pet’s symptoms – seek immediate veterinary attention. Call us and make your way to the clinic without delay. If the bite occurs after hours, contact a local emergency clinic. If you can safely get a photo of the snake, this will help your veterinarian confirm the bite requires treatment. Do NOT administer any over the counter or prescription medications to your pet without consulting with a veterinarian.

Need help on how to treat a pet for snake bites? Contact Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital during normal business hours. If after hours, contact your nearest veterinary ER.

Veterinary Care for Snake Bites

Veterinarians have, historically, employed many strategies in treating snake bites. Supportive care should include pain medication and fluid therapy. But the only treatment proven effective for envenomation is the administration of antivenom. Antivenom is an intravenous antibody treatment that neutralizes the effects of snake venom. Fortunately, the same antivenom is used regardless of whether the bite is from a copperhead, cottonmouth, or timber rattlesnake, so positive identification of the snake is not necessary for snake bites occurring in the Birmingham metro area. If your pet’s clinical signs are mild or there are financial barriers to using antivenom, many venomous snake bites can be managed successfully without antivenom, but recovery time may be prolonged in those cases. Adverse effects, including allergic reactions, are possible with antivenom therapy but are not nearly as common as have been reported in human patients.

Use this helpful information on how to treat pets for snake bites in the unfortunate event that your pet gets a snake bite – with the number one treatment protocol being: get your pet to the vet as fast as you can and tell your veterinary hospital that you’ve got an emergency. If the snake bite occurs after hours, take your pet to the nearest veterinary ER for fast action.