The Vet Practice

Now that Summer has finally arrived, we're urging all of you to be on the lookout for snakes because they're definitely around - and biting!

And it's not just pets in rural environments that are falling victim to snakebite, it's happening in suburban backyards as well.

Making your yard as unattractive to snakes as possible is a good start to preventing snake bite. This means keeping the yard free of places to hide such as woodpiles and long grass.

Both dogs and cats are equally likely to fall victim to snakebite due to their natural hunting instincts.

What to do if you suspect your pet has been bitten!

If your pet has any contact with a snake it's wise to take her to a vet immediately just to make sure she has not been bitten. Some blood tests and/or observation of the patient for a few hours will most likely give you an answer.

If you do see your pet bitten then you will need to rush her to your nearest vet immediately. Time is critical here so don't delay!

The sooner the treatment begins, the greater the chance of a succesful outcome. Treatment will involve giving the vital antivenene to counteract the harmful effects of the venom. But this is by no means the only treatment needed.

Yes, treatment for snakebite will be expensive.

Patients bitten by snakes are often in intensive care anywhere from several days to several weeks depending on:

• How soon treatment is started
• How much venom was actually injected
• The patient's individual respose to treatment

Be aware that despite intensive treatment and antivenene, a succesful recovery can never be guaranteed. Snake venom is very toxic and has devastating effects on the body. It's formulated to kill and kill quickly it can!

Symptoms of snake bite can vary (depending on the type of snake) and may include:

• Salivation (drooling)
• Lethargy - collapse
• Vomiting, diarrhoea
• Shaking, trembling
• Unresponsive pupils

If your pet has been bitten or you suspect a snakebite injury, try and get a good description of the snake to include colour and markings if possible. This is because different species of snakes produce different toxins which cause different symptoms.