Thank goodness I don’t live in an area where snakes are a problem. Snake and poisonous insect bites can be very dangerous for your pets.
How do you tell if your pet has been bitten?
1. You may see fang marks.
2. You may notice a sudden swelling of the bitten area.
3. Your pet may be panting and/or having trouble breathing.
4. Your pet may be unconscious.
The key in dealing with poisonous bites is SPEED. If you believe your pet has been bitten by a poisonous insect or snake, call your vet IMMEDIATELY. Venom can be very fast acting, and a “wait-and-see” attitude can be fatal. When in doubt, call your vet. Most likely, they’ll tell you to bring your pet in immediately.
What can you do before you see the vet?
1. Keep your pet calm. A racing heart will only pump the venom around faster.
2. Keep yourself calm. If you freak out, your pet will become agitated too.
3. Try to keep the bitten area elevated above the heart to reduce swelling.
4. Try to identify the type of snake or insect involved. Don’t risk a bite of your own trying to catch it!
Try not to touch or manipulate the bite area. This is both for your safety and your pet’s safety. Too much movement at the bite area can help the venom spread more quickly. And if you accidentally touch the venom yourself, you too could suffer nerve or muscle damage. Gently clean the area with a soft cloth or towel, using as little pressure as possible.
Some vets recommend a light pressure bandage on the area – a sort of a loose tourniquet to keep the venom from spreading. However, keeping the venom isolated in a small area can lead to muscle damage. If you are more than 5 minutes away from your vet, ask them what you should do. Some will tell you to make a loose tourniquet, some will tell you to just keep the dog calm and the bite site elevated.
Snakebite treatment can be very expensive. So if you live in an area where snakes are prevalent, you may want to have a plan of action. Your vet may have some sort of emergency care fund for families who can’t afford treatment.