How to Identify and Treat a Snake Bite in Dogs

EnviroBug Australia on
Snake Bite Symptoms in Dogs

Every year, about 6200 dogs are bitten by snakes in Australia, about twice the number of people. While there are few fatalities, there are still two dog deaths per year. In this article, we look at how to identify a snake bite, treat the injury and prevent the bite.

Why Do Snakes Bite Dogs?

There are numerous reasons why a snake might bite a snake. Dogs are generally curious creatures, and when a snake is nearby, they might attempt to ascertain what it is. The dog doesn't mean the snake any harm.

Snakes, on the other hand, are defensive creatures. The dog is considered a threat. If the snake can’t escape, they will tend to lash out and bite to defend itself.

Snakes will only bite as a last resort. They prefer to run. Most venomous snakes will use what is known as a dry bite, as in a bite with no venom.

Another reason dogs might get bitten is that they are playing and accidentally step near or on the snake. The snake is startled and instinctively bites the dog.

How prolific is a Dry Bite?

Dry bite ratios will depend on the species. For example, the eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) has a dry bite rate of 70-80%. Other species can do a dry bite more often. 

There are numerous reasons why a snake might prefer to do a dry bite.

For Defence

Venom is used primarily for hunting. Expending the little venom the snake has for a defensive action is not effective. Not when a dry bite can achieve the same result.

Snakes are all about effectiveness. By using venom in a defensive action, they restrict their ability to hunt and subdue prey. An action which could result in them being unable to eat in the short term.

Fang Issues

Snake bites don’t always go according to plan. And they can have fang issues where they don’t deploy correctly. In these circumstances, the snake may have wanted to envenomate the dog but has missed the opportunity.

Types of snake bites

There are two types of snake bites for your dog, and it will depend on the species as well as the environment and the scenario as to which it is. These types are venomous and non-venomous.

Venomous snake bite

A venomous bite is a medical emergency for any dog. You need to seek medical help immediately and contact your closest vet. Venom can start to work within minutes, making your dog very ill.

Symptoms

There are numerous symptoms of snake bites you need to be aware of. These include:

  • Swelling around the bite and in other parts of the body.

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea 

  • Breathing difficulties

  • Issues swallowing

  • Muscle weakness

  • Loss of balance

  • Fatigue

  • Blood around the gums or near the bite

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to consider that the dog has a venomous bite.

Non-venomous snake bite

Most bites are non-venomous or have a low-venom quantity. However, they can still be dangerous. So, what are the symptoms of a non-venomous snake bite in a dog?

Symptoms

  • Swelling or bruising around the bite

  • Possible visible puncture wounds

  • Bleeding from the wound

  • Pain and infection may occur after a time

What to Do if Snake Bites Dog?

Snake bites can happen. Every day, about 17 dogs and cats receive a bite from a snake. While cats are more immune to the effect, dogs can be badly affected. So, what should you do if a snake bites your dog?

Assume it is Venomous

The potential impact of a venomous bite is so dangerous you must consider any bite a potential venomous bite. If possible, you can identify the snake, but sometimes you might not be able to see the snake that has bitten your dog because it has escaped.

Keep the Dog Still

The more movement by the dog, the faster the venom will spread throughout the body, causing more problems. Therefore, get the dog to lie down and stay lying down. Swaddling a small dog in a blanket to keep them still can be very effective.

Apply Ice to the Bite Area

Slow down the spread by applying an ice pack to the bite area. The colder the dog, the less speed at which the blood flows around the body and the slower the spread. It might also localise any reaction, ensuring the heart and lungs aren’t affected.

Seek Medical Attention

While applying steps two and three, try to get someone else to call a local vet and arrange transportation for you and the animal there. If possible, tell the team what species has bitten your dog.

What Not to Do if Snake Bites Dog

If your dog has been bitten, do not take your anger or upset out on the snake. Snakes are a key part of the ecosystem, controlling pests and a food source for numerous species. The snake considered your dog a threat and took the only action it thought was right.

You should also not leave the bite alone. Those dogs that die are often the ones that don’t get treatment quickly enough.

Finally, don’t attempt any treatment yourself, except for applying ice and keeping the dog as still as possible.

How to Prevent Snake Bites in Dogs

There are numerous ways that you can prevent snake bites in dogs. For one, you can keep your dog on a lead when walking in nature areas, parks and known locations for snakes. Dogs are curious animals and like to explore, and snakes are the least likely to appreciate this.

Most bites are because the dog has wandered away from the human handler.

You might also want to educate yourself on the local species and their behaviours and daily patterns. Learning more about local snakes can help you spot and plan your dog walks better. For example, if you know that local species are more likely to be out during the dawn/dusk periods, you can plan your walks outside of these times.

Or if you know that snakes are more temperamental during the hot spring months, you can plan to do more urban walking during these periods.

It can also be a good idea to look at the ground. Snakes prefer to stay hidden. Therefore, they’re unlikely to be in open ground. Keeping your dog to well-walked pathways and off the undergrowth is a way to keep snakes away from your dog.

Finally, you can take precautions at home. Sometimes, snakes do hunt in Australian gardens, but you can use devices like snake repellents to limit their intrusion into your home and yard.

Final Word: Snake Bites and Dogs

Unlike the nimble cat, dogs are more susceptible to snake venom, and bites are frequent in Australia. While the majority of bites are harmless and the dogs will recover, deaths still happen annually, and some dogs can lose limbs or suffer from long-term health issues.

Knowing how to react to a venomous snake bite, treating all bites as if they were venomous and seeking medical help early can prevent your pooch from being one of the few dogs that unfortunately do not survive.

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