Treat a Dog for Snakebite in Australia

Approximately 80% of pets survive snake bite if treated quickly. The survival rate is much lower however for pets that are left untreated, and death often occurs. There are about 3000 snakebites to humans in Australia per year. For our pets, the rate is likely much higher because our pet dogs and cats spend a lot of time in bush gardens and on coastal, farm and bush land areas where snakes reside. The survival chances of a dog bitten by an Australian snake is dependent on the type of snake and how much venom has entered the system of the dog. This article provides a rundown on identifying the symptoms of a snake bitten dog and the treatment options.

Steps

1. Identify the symptoms. Although some symptoms are quite distinct depending on the type of snake that has bitten your dog, it is possible to say that a snake-bitten dog tends to react in the following general ways:
   • trembling
   • vomiting
   • salivation, drooling, frothing
   • diarrhea
   • weakness in the back legs, unsteadiness
   • dilated pupils
   • respiratory distress
   • bloody urine
   • continuous bleeding from the bite wound
   • a flaccid paralysis leading to coma or respiratory failure
   • Death can occur within 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the type of snake venom and the amount of venom injected.
2. Identify the snake. If it is safe to do so, and possible, try to identify the culprit snake in order to match the anti-venom (colour, size, distinctive markings etc.). A vet can take a swab of the bite site using a snake detection kit (provided he or she can locate the bite area amidst the hair) to identify the snake venom but it can speed things up if you can either sight identify a snake or possibly relate the type of reaction your dog suffered. These images and symptom overviews will assist you:
   • Tiger snake: a dog bitten by a tiger snake tends to react immediately, becoming agitated and hyperactive. Not long after, the dog will most likely collapse, its tongue hanging out and the breathing becomes laboured. Lethargy sets in and the dog will either die or recover only with appropriate and immediate treatment.
   • Dugite
3. /Spotted brown snake/Brown snake: slow-acting venom means that the dog will likely not react quickly but will display signs of progressive paralysis of its back legs, with paralysis then creeping forwards. The paralysis takes over and the dog's tongue will loll out, some frothing at the mouth may be apparent and the dog will become lethargic, with its pupils not responding to light.
   • Australian Copperhead snake - see photos for identifying features; only snake found above the snowline because they are adapted to cooler climates. They are found in river, swamp and marshland areas
   • Red-bellied black snake - see photo for identifying features; black top and red base. It is widespread on the coast and eastern regions of Australia and especially likes moist areas, such as near water.
   • Other venomous Australian snakes: Yes, there are more but the ones listed here are the more commonly encountered snakes. Snakes such as the death adders and mulga snakes are less likely to be encountered by your dog unless you are venturing into their territory with your dog. Follow the general symptoms and advice outlined here.
4. Seek immediate veterinary attention. Ring your vet and tell them you have a dog with a snakebite coming in immediately. This will alert the vet to make arrangements to treat your dog ahead of any other animal in the surgery. It may also enable them to make logistics arrangements prior to your arrival that will ease any difficulties, such as ensuring you get a car space close to the surgery and pulling out your dog's previous records for allergic reactions etc.
5. Treat as best you can. The best solution to a dog bitten by a venomous Australian snake is anti-venom and vet care. The farther you have to travel to the vet's and the more venom that has been injected into your dog, the worse your dog's chances of survival. However, you and a helper can help prolong your dog's chances of survival by some basic treatment, especially during the car trip to the vet's:
   • Apply a pressure bandage to a limb bite; do not apply a tourniquet
6. or bandage the wound too tightly, as the blood flow must not be impeded. Do not wash the bite area or cut the wound.
   • Apply hand pressure to a body bite (face and jaws are quite common areas for dogs to be bitten)
   • Keep talking to your dog and stroking it; it is good for both of you to feel a sense of reassurance and to keep calm
   • Carry your dog at all times - the dog cannot be expected to walk and any movement will spread the venom.
7. Know what the vet will do. For your own peace of mind, it helps to know how the vet will probably treat your dog. This list gives a broad overview of likely procedures, although this is dependent on the type of venom and the treatment facilities available:
   • The vet will likely examine the site of the wound
   • The vet will determine the stage of envenomation of your dog.
   • It might be necessary to take a snake detection test (blood or urine sample) and analysis of results
   • Treatment commences, usually via intravenous fluids and administration of the appropriate anti-venom
   • There may also be a need for antihistamines, allergy reduction reduction drugs, painkillers or sedatives.
8. Expect recovery in 24 - 48 hours. If your dog pulls through, full recovery will take 1 - 2 days. However, recovery isn't the same as being well and you will need to set aside time to nurse your dog back to full health; ask the vet for appropriate advice and help.

Tips

• Be aware that some dogs are more prone to being a victim of snakebites. This awareness should keep you more alert to taking preventive measures to avoid the potential for snakebite happening to your dogs:
  
  
  • Dogs are naturally inquisitive when young and puppies often think a snake is a moving toy.
  • Hunting dogs are at greater risk because of their instinct to hunt. When young and agile, they may be able to attack a snake and succeed in killing it before the snake bites. However, as the dog's agility lessens with old age, the outcome may not be so successful and older hunting dogs tend to get bitten.
• Snakes are more active in the summer months and tend to hibernate during winter. Early spring bites will carry the most potency, as the snakes venom glands have built up during hibernation.

Warnings

• Previous snakebites in dogs create no immunity against future snakebites; every snakebite must be treated as serious and life-threatening.
• Be aware that some dogs will display the symptoms outlined in step one and then stage a brief recovery prior to suffering a total collapse.
• Do not bleed a dog; this is a misguided tale. Australian snake venom travels through the lymphatic system, so bleeding will not assist the dog and will simply weaken, hurt and stress the dog more.
• Snakes are protected; only kill one in self-defense. They are defending their own safety and territory in reacting with bites to what they perceive as an attack; we have to accept that living with snakes in Australia is a way of life. Prevention is always better than cure; it makes sense to take precautions to avoid snakebite in the first place. It is not recommended under most circumstances that you try to kill the snake yourself; you will likely end up a casualty and waste precious time for saving your dog.
• Be very wary of the so-called "vitamin C" remedy; it may or may not buy time for a dog (as an aid) but it will not do anything to prevent death - it is not a treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure bandage - a bandage or torn fabric works fine
• Car
• Vet's phone number (keep it next to emergency numbers for your family)
• Snake identification: sighting, symptoms noted, dead snake (optional and only under circumstances of self-defence and heeding safety)

Related Articles

• Avoid Snakes
• Avoid a Rattlesnake Attack
• Reduce the Number of Venomous Snakes in Your Area (USA)
• Survive Being Bitten by a Venomous Snake
• Identify a Venomous Snake
• Deal With a Snake in the House

Sources and Citations

VetWest, Snakebite and Your Pet

VetWest, Snakebite and Your Pet

Pet Alert, Bites and Stings

See also

• Treat a Dog Who Ate Chocolate
• Save a Choking Dog
• Treat a Sprained Ankle on a Dog
• Help Your Dog Through a Stroke
• Know When Your Dog is Sick
• Treat Heat Stroke in Dogs
• Get a Dog to Vomit
• Keep a Dog From Throwing Up
• Care for a Dog After It Has Just Vomited
• Stop a Dog's Quick from Bleeding

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