Tissue damage will develop and progress over a few days and sometimes extended wound care is needed as tissue dies off and new tissue grows. Sometimes multiple doses are needed to neutralize the venom.
Antivenom should be given if it is available and financially feasible.
Once you are at the vet’s office, they will start IV fluids and give pain medication to treat shock. Carry your dog if possible and do not waste time performing first aid-sucking out the venom does not work, please do not attempt this! The most important thing you can do if your pet is bitten by a venomous snake is to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Consider talking to your veterinarian about getting your dog vaccinated if you live in an area where Western Diamondbacks are common (Southeastern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma). While there is no evidence that it works for other venomous snake bites, it could theoretically decrease the severity of clinical signs and appears to be safe. You should keep your cat indoors, especially if you live in an area where venomous snakes are common.Ĭurrently, there is a rattlesnake vaccine available for dogs that produces neutralizing antibodies against Western Diamondback venom. If you plan to have your dog off leash in an area where venomous snakes are found, consider signing up for snake bite avoidance training.
It also helps to stay on well-worn trails so you can see what’s ahead. That way, you can prevent your pet from sticking their face into heavy brush and their nose into rock crevices where snakes may be lurking. The most important thing you can do is keep your dog on a leash and monitor them while you’re out on a walk. The best way to deal with venomous snakes is to do your best to avoid them in the first place. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is considered the most dangerous species of rattlesnake and causes the most fatalities in people annually. There are a few species (Mojave, Tiger and Speckled) that also have neurotoxic venom. Most have hemotoxic venom and their bites are very painful. Rattlesnakes are found throughout the country, though most commonly found in the West, in a variety of habitats including mountains, prairies, deserts and beaches. Rattlesnakes are the largest of the venomous snakes found in the United States and can strike one-third or more of their body length. Facial pits between their eyes and nostrils, used to sense heat Triangular head (non-venomous snakes can flatten their heads making them look more triangular) Vertical, slit-like pupils (most non-venomous snakes have round pupils) There are four different types of venomous snakes in the United States:Įxcept for coral snakes, all the above are considered “pit vipers” and can be recognized by the following characteristics: The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) wants to make sure you’re in-the-know about snake encounters and poisonings so you can keep your pets safe during through the rest of the summer. It is estimated that there may be more than 100,000 venomous snakebites that occur in dogs and cats every year with a mortality rate of 1 percent to as high as 30 percent, depending on the size of the pet, the species of the snake and the location of the bite. It’s still summertime, and hot weather is prime time for snake activity.
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