Caring for working dogs
Saving your dog from a snake bite
Jose Reid
With summer well underway and snakes more out and about than usual, it's more important than ever to keep an eye out for snakes in your backyard. In Australia, an estimated 60,000 dogs are bitten by a snake every single year, with about a quarter of that number sadly succumbing to the venom. Luckily, there are a number of ways you can reduce your dog's chances of being bitten, as well as procedures to follow to increase their chances of survival if they are bitten. In any case, it's handy to have your local veterinarian's phone number saved away somewhere so that you'll be able to contact them immediately in the event of an emergency.
How to prevent snake bites:
To save yourself a great deal of money and heartache, you should always be as vigilant as possible and take effort to prevent your dog getting bitten by a snake in the first place. While keeping your dog on the leash whenever you are walking in bushland or areas with a lot of high grass is a good first, training them to follow instructions is as important. If you spot a snake, it's a lot better if you can rein your dog in as soon as possible so as to stop it from going over and trying to play with the snake. Furthermore, you should constantly inspect your backyard and close up any gaps that a snake could potentially get through.
What to do if your dog is bitten?
If your dog is bitten by a snake, there are handful of symptoms they may display. These may differ depending on the type of snake that bit your dog. Since some venom is slow acting, you may notice your dog start to lose function or struggle to walk. In other cases, they may yelp and make it immediately clear that they've been hurt by something. In any case, the presence of blood or bite marks are a clear indication you need to act quickly.
If you saw your dog getting bitten, try to safely identify what kind of snake it is. This will inform how your vet approaches the bite. After doing this, contact your nearest veterinarian clinic right away, and tell them what happened. They will be able to tell you what to do and prepare for your arrival. Luckily, many vets have incredibly effective, but costly, anti-venom on hand that can save your dog's life. Your main goal now is to stay calm and transport them to the vet as quickly as possible.
To prevent the spread of the venom on your way there, have someone apply a pressure bandage to whichever limb the snake bit. Do not attempt to make a tourniquet or bandage or clean the wound, as this could be dangerous for your dog. Importantly, you should pet and calm down your dog as best as you can. Keeping them from moving around too much is vital.
Most dogs survive snake bites. Being prepared and knowing what to do will greatly improve your dog's chances.
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We've always had a large property and our dogs are working dogs. They like to have freedom to run around and play with each other as well as helping us round up the sheep at the end of the day. We don't coddle the dogs by any means, but we do care for them deeply and want them to stay healthy. Sometimes our dogs do get into scrapes and do some silly things, like last year when my older dog ate some baited meat from a fox trap, and do need vet care. This blog has some tips on getting veterinary care for your beloved animals.