Help! My Dog Was Bitten by a Snake!
It’s a scary experience to come face-to-face with a rattlesnake, and it’s even scarier if your beloved pet is bitten in the encounter. Snake bites on dogs can be deadly, especially depending on the size of your pet. However, most dogs will survive a bite if they are treated. EPIC Vets treats a great number of rattlesnake bites and our team and facility are available to help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What can you do if you suspect or know your pet was bitten by a snake?
Below are tips for getting help for snake bites on dogs:
- Don’t panic! Stay calm and get you and your pet to safety.
- Keep your pet as calm as possible to avoid increasing the heart rate. Don’t let them run or get too excited.
- Don’t worry about the type of snake that has bitten your dog. We just need to know where you encountered the snake and where the bite is located.
- Do not put a tourniquet on the bite area or ice the bite.
- Contrary to the movies, do not attempt to suck out the venom. This doesn’t help your pet and could make you sick as well.
- You have time. Come right away, but you don’t need to speed. Don’t get in such a hurry that you drive unsafely.
Staying calm and getting your pet treated as soon as possible is important. Most dogs will survive a snake bite when treated quickly. If you live in an area that has your pet at a high risk of coming into contact with a rattlesnake, talk to your daytime vet about rattlesnake vaccinations. These vaccinations may help your dog’s reaction to a rattlesnake bite. If you are hiking or walking with your dog, keep them on a leash to prevent them from coming too close to a rattlesnake.
If your dog is bitten by a snake, call us at 951-695-5044 and let us know you are coming. Our emergency clinic is open 24/7.
