.
While this article is based on snake bite in the dog, the situation in the cat is no different so the same advice will apply.
.
When I was in England I did see the odd snake bite due to our one venomous snake in that country, the adder, mainly dogs survived it’s bite and deaths were rare. By contrast I now live in another country where snakes are common and often treatment is unavailable for whatever reason, either lack of money, lack of vets or lack of vets with anti-serum and intensive care facilities.
.
If it is at all possible it is always worth calling your vet as soon as possible in case anti-venom is available, also some dogs get in a bad way after a snake bite and will need intensive care such as drips etc. and of course this is best delivered by your vet if such facilities are available. Depending on the species of snake involved not all snake bites lead to death.
.
However In the absence of a vet, or anti-venom what can you do? The treatment can only consist of the following :
1. Over the counter antihistamines such as benadryl if there is a gross allergic reaction such as swelling at the bite site.
2. A course of antibiotics should given for a week or so as tissue necrosis is likely at the bite site. If you can have access to human antibiotics which you commonly will have in a developing country so much the better. Consider such drugs as clavamox or ampicillin then give them on a pro rata basis between your dog’s weight and a human body weight or look up the dose rates on this site or the internet.
3. Supportive care, basically good nursing is very important, this will involve keeping your dog reassured and comfortable, keeping your dog’s fluid levels up by making sure it is drinking enough. Give fluids orally via syringe if your dog will not drink on it’s own and try and keep your dog eating.
4. Then just sitting things out and hoping your dog slowly recovers, if death does not occur the first twenty four hours after a bite then recovery would be more likely.
.
As I said earlier while deaths from snake bite can obviously occur this is not always the case so it is always worth having a go with treatment.
.
If having read this article if you need further information or would like to talk over the subject of snake bites in the dog and cat with a qualified veterinary surgeon on a one to one basis then please use the Just Answer contact box at the bottom of this page. There is a charge for this service but the fee in minimal and you need not pay unless you are satisfied with the answer, the service is available 24/7.
.
.
Not found what you were looking for? Search again using the search box below.
Or have a live consult with an online vet right now!
This article was brought to you by David Ainworth. If you have found it to be interesting or of value please share it with your social media using the buttons below.
