What to do if your dog is bitten by a snake
Dogs being bitten by snakes is common when dogs and venomous snakes co-exist. Here are some tips on what to do should this happen.
In a heroic display of loyalty, Jager, a German shorthaired pointer, recently risked his life to protect his family from a puff adder in Bapsfontein.
The snake bit the dog during the incident. However, Jager survived the ordeal after quick action from his humans and treatment from his local vet.
Streeknuus approached Dr Evert Olivier from the Bapsfontein Animal Hospital to ask about identifying snakebites in animals, appropriate measures to take if there are suspected snakebites, snakebite prevention strategies, and the various treatments for snakebites.
According to Olivier, cytotoxic snakes are the predominant species in our region, and their bites typically result in significant swelling around the wound.
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Dogs are frequently affected on the lips and facial areas.
Neurotoxic snakes are also found but less commonly so. In such cases, the animals’ muscles are usually affected, and difficulty breathing could be the initial symptom.
Should you suspect a snakebite, Olivier recommended getting prompt help from the nearest veterinarian.
Refrain from applying a tourniquet or incising near the wound site because these actions will not alleviate the symptoms and could prolong obtaining appropriate medical care.
Prevention is better than cure, and with this said, Olivier recommends making your premises unattractive to frogs and rodents.
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Providing a food source and a breeding ground for rats could encourage them to stay near your residence, consequently drawing their natural predators, such as cobras.
This raises the likelihood of your dog being exposed to snakes because they might try to defend their household and inadvertently get bitten. The same applies to ponds that attract frogs, which, in turn, attract puff adders.
“The administration of polyvalent anti-venom is critical to alleviating the symptoms of snakebite,” said Olivier.
A veterinarian might use measures to mitigate the swelling, pain, and infection after a cytotoxic bite. In the case of neurotoxic bites, mechanical ventilation could be needed for survival. Regrettably, there is a shortage of anti-venom on a national scale.
For any veterinary emergency, send a WhatsApp to 076 441 8677 or call the 24h emergency landline on 011 964 3919.
