scone.com.auSnake Bite Warning
By Peta Gay Raiton, veterinarian, PetMedical
WE treat approximately 30 animals each year for snake bites, typically black and brown snake bites in this area, but we do see the occasional tiger snake bite.
Snakes are very venomous and it’s important that you act quickly if your pet should get bitten.
How do I know my pet has been bitten?
If your pet is seen with a snake, call the vet and take it in as soon as possible.
Your pet may only have 20 minutes, so please do not wait for signs to start, before calling.
You usually will not see the bite.
Only a black snake will create swelling and bleeding from the site of the bite, brown and tiger snakes leave very little sign at the bite site.
What are the signs of snake bite?
If your pet has been bitten its legs get weak and wobbly and it may vomit.
It will salivate profusely and their eyes will look strange and black because the pupils will be very big.
Total collapse and death may ensue.
Should I bring the snake?
If the snake is dead, you can bring it along for identification but don’t waste time and jeopardise your health trying to catch it.
If you see the snake and know what type it is then that’s also helpful as there are different types of antivenom available.
If you don’t know the type of snake then we can use a combined antivenom.
What sort of costs are involved?
Snake antivenom is expensive, between $300 to $800 per vial depending on type and affected animals may need more than one vial.
This is in addition to intravenous fluids, pain relief and hospitalisation so it all does add up.
What are the chances of survival?
The faster your pet is treated the greater its chance of survival.
The amount of venom that the snake injects into the animal will vary and the rate of onset of the signs may give some indication of this.
Cats are more resistant to snake venom than dogs and will often be affected mostly by the neurotoxin which paralyses them.
They often require less antivenom for survival than do dogs.
Call the vet: 02 6541 1555
We have an on-call vet available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The clinic numbers are diverted to the out of hours phone.
If you get message bank it means that the operator is on another call.
You can leave your name and number and the vet will call you within 15 minutes or call our emergency hotline.
Pet Medical offers state-of-the-art medical care delivered with old-fashioned care and compassion. There are three clinics in the Upper Hunter including Scone, Muswellbrook and Denman. For more information visit: Pet Medical.
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