Here’s a breakdown of snakebite dangers for dogs, what to do, and why immediate vet care is crucial:
How Dangerous?
- Venom Type: Severity depends on the snake species. Some venoms cause tissue damage, others affect blood clotting, and some are neurotoxic.
- Bite Location: Bites near the face/neck are most dangerous due to potential airway swelling and suffocation.
- Dog’s Size and Health: Smaller dogs and those with existing health conditions are at higher risk.
Symptoms
- Immediate: Pain at the bite site, puncture wounds, swelling, sometimes darkening of the skin.
- Progressing: Weakness, trembling, vomiting, rapid breathing/heartbeat, and potentially systemic collapse.
First Aid – DOs and DON’Ts
- DO
- Immobilize Your Dog: Carry them or walk very slowly. Movement spreads venom faster.
- Remove Collar (if bite is near neck): To prevent choking as swelling worsens.
- Get to the Vet ASAP: Every minute counts!
- DON’T
- Cut or Suck the Wound: This is ineffective and risks infection.
- Apply Ice or Tourniquets: These can worsen tissue damage
Vet Treatment
- Assessment: Vets check vital signs and the severity of the bite.
- IV Fluids and Medications: To support heart function, combat shock, reduce swelling, and manage pain.
- Antihistamines: To counter potential allergic reactions.
- Oxygen Support: If breathing is severely compromised.
- Wound Care: May include pain relief injections and antibiotics.
- Antidote (Rare): Vets sometimes use anti-venom, but risks like allergic reactions must be weighed against potential benefits.
Why Home Treatment Isn’t Enough
- Venom Action is Complex: Snake venom can have multiple effects on the body, requiring sophisticated medical support.
- Anaphylactic Shock is Possible: This is a life-threatening allergic reaction that needs immediate medication.
- Internal Damage: Venom may affect blood clotting and organ function, requiring monitoring and medication your vet can provide.
Key Takeaways
- Snakebites are ALWAYS emergencies – immediate vet care is essential.
- Know the types of snakes in your area and the risks they pose.
- Prevention: When hiking in snake-prone areas, keep your dog on a leash and stick to established trails.
Contents
How Dangerous Is A Snake Bites On Dogs?
Snake venom is a hemolytic poison – it acts on the blood of the victim. In scientific terms, it is a mixture of potent enzymes that cause tissue necrosis. The consequences of a bite depend on the dose of poison. The larger the snake, the more content there is in its poisonous glands.
The most severe consequences of a snake bite are observed in older dogs and animals with heart or kidney failure. An allergic reaction to poison such as anaphylactic shock is especially dangerous. If the dog loses consciousness, cardiac activity is disrupted, or convulsions occur, you simply will not have time to take your pet to the veterinarian.
Localization of the Bite:
The most deadly bites occur in the vicinity of the tongue and neck, where an animal may suffocate and quickly perish from tissue edema! If the venom from a snake bite gets into a big main channel right away, the body will become severely poisoned, which can even be fatal.
The Blood Thickens And Blood Clots Form:
The symptoms of snake poisoning are similar to those of the snake itself: they include excruciating pain at the bite site, the onset of hemorrhagic edema, which in extreme cases can grow to be extremely big, and tissue necrosis is frequently seen. Weakness, dyspnea, vomiting, nausea, blood coagulation system abnormalities leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, hemorrhage, and kidney and heart muscle injury are common. Serine proteinases are primarily responsible for the poison’s hemorrhagic effects.
Symptoms Of Snake Bites On Dogs:
Usually, the bite occurs on the paw or face, less often on the neck or stomach. First signs of a snake bite:
- The dog suddenly begins to whine, squeal, howl, roll on the ground, limp, hold his paw up, or rub his muzzle with his paw.
- At the site of the bite, you can find bleeding punctate wounds (one or two), the skin at this place darkens, and the affected area quickly begins to swell.
- Sometimes increasing swelling of the muzzle or limb is the only sign to suspect a snake bite.
- You can find a tiny wound only by completely shaving the affected area, and even then the absence of two characteristic wounds does not negate the diagnosis.
- At first, the dog will not have a systemic reaction to the poison, but it may:
- Salivation;
- Vomit;
- Weakness and trembling in the body;
- Rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
- Depending on their temperament, all dogs react differently, but you need to remember that after a snake bite, the animal experiences severe pain.
- Excitement after a bite may give way to a depressed state
Treatment Of Snake Bites On Dogs:
Don’t let your dog move. It is extremely important to completely immobilize and carry the dog in your arms or walk very slowly. Remember, any movements increase the heart rate and accelerate the penetration of poison into the blood and lymph. It is necessary to remove the collar to avoid suffocation as swelling increases. don’t waste time, go to the vet.
- At the clinic, doctors will evaluate the dog’s condition after a snake bite. An intravenous catheter will be installed to administer medications and IVs. Traditionally, drugs are added to saline solutions to normalize cardiac activity, liver function, and kidney function. The dog will be given decongestants and allergy medication.
- When anaphylactic shock develops, a tube is placed in the pet’s trachea, and oxygen is supplied, or the animal is placed in an oxygen chamber. The necessary drugs are administered to relieve anaphylactic shock.
- Doctors will monitor whether enough urine is being produced after drips and, if necessary, additionally prescribe diuretics.
- It would be very good if the clinic had the following:
- the ability to measure blood pressure in dogs; in case of a sharp decrease, dopamine, and colloidal solutions are used;
- continuous oxygen supply.
- infusion pumps for continuous administration of water-salt solutions at a given speed.
- As for the bite site, it is injected with 0.5% novocaine. The blockade not only slightly reduces pain, but also stops the spread of tissue damage. An antibiotic is added to novocaine. Deep bite wounds into which saliva has entered always become inflamed. If the bite is on the paw, apply a bandage, but it is very important not to disrupt the blood flow in the limb.
- Many questions arise about the use of antidotes. The truth is that veterinarians very rarely use snake antiserum.
- Most often, the drug is simply not available. Serum is rarely needed and is stored for 1-2 years, so clinics do not purchase it. The anti-viper serum is not suitable; a serum against the common snake is needed. Although it is produced in Russia (in Stavropol), it is difficult to find on the open market.
- The second, main reason is that horse serum itself is a strong allergen. Its administration can cause anaphylactic shock in the dog. In other words, the expected benefit is not commensurate with the risk.
- If the doctor decides to use serum, the dog will first be given an antihistamine, then a test will be performed (0.1 ml of the drug subcutaneously). After a few minutes, another 0.2 ml is injected and observed. If there is no reaction, the full dose is administered intravenously. Owners are warned that allergic reactions may not develop immediately but after 2-10 days.
- If the dog’s condition no longer causes concern, the dog feels satisfactory, it is sent home, but the administration of drugs should continue for another 3 to 5 days.
Conclusion:
Create a country first aid kit for your dog, including medications in case of a snake attack. If your dog is bitten by a snake, your help will be needed on the spot. Even if you don’t know how to give injections, medications should be available: a knowledgeable person may be nearby. Learn how to give injections! This will always come in handy!
