Snake
Bitten
Pet Information
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General Information
Poisonous snakes cause serious illness or death in many animals
each year. The poison (venom) mainly affects the vascular and/or
nervous system. Most snake bites in the United States are due to
rattlesnakes, water moccasins, copperheads and coral snakes.
Signs of snake-bite poisoning vary according to the size and
species of snake, amount of venom injected, size and general health
of the victim, and the location of the bite.
Treatment
Snake bites are extremely serious and most treatment takes place
in the hospital. Along with specific treatment for venom, your pet
will also be treated for shock and infection.
Emergency Field Treatment
If your pet is bitten again, perform the following emergency
measures:
1. Identify the type of snake, if possible. Do not risk being
bitten.
2. Keep your pet as quiet as possible with soothing talk and
petting. Excitement and exertion speed the distribution of poison.
Carry the animal to a place of safety.
3. If the bite is on a leg, immobilize the leg and carry the pet to
your car. If you are more than 2 hours from the nearest
veterinarian, apply a tourniquet above the bite wound, between the
wound and the body. It can be left in place for up to 2 hours.
4. Immediately take the animal to the nearest veterinarian.
Notify the Doctor if Any of the Following Occur:
* Your pet is reluctant to eat or acts depressed.
* Your pet's bite wound becomes swollen, red or hot, or oozes
pus or fluid.
* Your pet develops any new signs.
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