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Did you know that there are approximately 300,000 dogs and cats bitten by venomous snakes each year in the United States? Summer is the prime season for bites as snakes come out to bask on warm surfaces. If you take your pet hiking with you or enjoy other outdoors activities together, it is important to know how to prevent snake bites and how to react should one occur.
How to Prevent Snake Bites in Pets
During walks, keep your pet on a short leash, not off-leash or on a retractable lead. The majority of snake bites occur when a pet is far from his owner.
Avoid rocky or dense brush and grassy areas. Choose wide trails over narrow ones.
Tidy up your yard. Keep your grass cut short and eliminate brush, tools, toys, and rock piles. All make excellent snake hiding and sunning spots.
Keep your yard clean of items which attract rodents (which in turn attract snakes) such as food, fruit, and birdseed.
Snakes can get under fencing that does not have a solid cement base. You may want to install hardware cloth along the entire base of your fence, including across any gated areas.
If you encounter a snake, calmly and slowly back away from it until you are no longer within striking distance (about half the length of the body). Then carefully leave the area immediately.
Do your homework and learn what snakes are found in your area. If a bite occurs, being able to recognize what type of snake it was can make a huge difference in your pet's survival.
If you live in an area where rattlesnakes are common, you may want to give your dog the rattlesnake vaccine.
Did you know all snakes can swim? You may want to reconsider playing fetch in the water; some snakes can bite underwater when startled. Use caution when enjoying activities such as canoeing, fishing, and rafting to avoid areas that snakes may use for sunning. Avoid drifting underneath tree branches; some snakes like to sun themselves on them and will drop into the water (or canoe) when they detect motion.
Snake bite safety tips should a snakebite occur:
Know the signs! Immediate symptoms almost always include:
puncture wounds (with possible bleeding)
severe pain
swelling
restlessness, panting, or drooling
difficulty breathing
Head to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately. Snakebites are always considered an emergency and every minute matters. A venomous snakebite can be fatal if not treated immediately, and even a bite from a nonvenomous snake can pose danger. Carry the pet to the car rather than having them walk.
Keep your pet quiet and calm on the journey to vet; this means staying calm yourself too. If (and only if!) you have a second person with you, you can try to reduce the rate that venom spreads through the pet's body using these methods:
Bathing the wound with cold water controls swelling.
If the bite wound is on a limb, apply a tourniquet using a tie, stocking, or other strip of cloth. Make sure the tourniquet is between the bite and the pet's body. Loosen it for approximately half a minute every five minutes.
If possible, keep the location of the bite below heart level.
Remember, only attempt first aid if you have a second person riding in the car with you; it wastes precious time otherwise.
Don't forget to keep your own personal safety a priority and never try to handle a snake even if it appears dead. 80% of snakebites affecting humans occur when they are trying to handle or kill a snake. Some snakes can still bite for hours after death because of lingering nerve reflexes, even if the head is severed from the body.
Be Prepared For Any Emergency
Unfortunately, we can’t always protect our furry friends, but there are ways you can prepare yourself for emergencies. Enrolling in a full coverage pet insurance plan will give you the confidence of knowing your pet is covered for routine care and accidents, like snake bites. Learn more about pet insurance policies for dogs and cats and contact Embrace today to get started.