How do you recognise that your dog has been bitten by a snake and how do you give the dog first aid?

 

 

When walking through nature with the dog, it can happen that the dog sniffs in the tall grass or under stones and startles a snake. Although snakes usually avoid confrontation, a startled snake may bite.

 

Snake bite symptoms in dogs

 

A dog that has been bitten by a snake may show these symptoms:

 

Drool

Vomiting

Weakness

Orientation problems

Balance disorders

Trembling

Shallow or irregular breathing

Point-like wounds with bleeding, swelling or discolouration

 

Dogs that have only a small amount of snake venom in their body may only show these symptoms after two or three days.

 

First aid for snakebite

 

A bite from a poisonous snake can be fatal for the dog. A dog bitten by a poisonous snake needs help from the vet as soon as possible. If an antivenom is injected within a few hours of the bite, it is very effective.

 

Keep the dog still, carry it if possible, as movement accelerates the distribution of the poison in the body.

 

Handle the dog carefully because the pain caused by the poison makes the dog bite immediately.

 

If the bite is on the leg, the leg is immobilised in its natural position.

 

Do not put ice on the wound or apply a pressure bandage.

 

Do not suction or cut the wound.

 

If possible, try to identify the snake to be able to give the veterinarian more precise information for the antivenom.

 

Take the dog to the vet immediately.