No matter how well we, as owners, take care of our four-legged children, dogs have a playful and curious nature. When they go out to play, they may be naughty and encounter venomous animals. If they hit the jackpot and encounter a dog's number one fearsome enemy, a venomous snake, they may be bitten by the snake's venom, causing severe pain to the point of death.
To help everyone be prepared for such unexpected events, we have some first aid methods for dogs for dog owners to prepare themselves if their dog is bitten by a snake. Let’s see how we can provide basic care to our dog before taking it to the hospital.
The difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes
Everyone must first understand that snakes are divided into 2 types: venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes. The differences in each type of snake have different effects on dogs when they are bitten.
Initial symptoms of a dog bitten by a snake
Dog bitten by a venomous snakeThere will be two obvious signs of fang marks at the bitten area, and the dog may start to feel pain, swelling, redness, or bruising, or blood may continue to flow from the wound. In some cases, the dog may cry out in pain, or walk with a leg up or limp if the dog was bitten on the leg.
However, symptoms of snake bites in dogs can vary depending on the type and size of the snake that bit. Snake venom can be divided according to symptoms.As follows
1.Neurotoxins: cause neurological symptoms such as abnormal gait, stiffness, convulsions, paralysis, found in cobras, king cobras, banded snakes, kraits, and sea snakes.
2. Myotoxin: is a toxin that destroys muscles, causing severe muscle pain, muscle stiffness, and black urine. Found in sea snake venom.
3. Hemotoxins: have the effect of destroying red blood cells, causing the red blood cells to burst and destroy the blood vessel walls. In addition, it also inhibits blood clotting, causing the blood to clot more slowly. Found in the venom of the bamboo viper, green viper, and cat viper.
First aid when your dog is bitten by a snake
“When the owner finds that the dog has been bitten by a snake, they should immediately take it to an animal hospital.
To allow the veterinarian to treat as quickly as possible.”
If a dog is bitten by a snake, time is the most important factor in treating the dog. If the owner can bring the dog to the vet quickly, there is a chance to save the dog's life immediately. While taking the dog to the animal hospital, we can give the dog first aid before taking it to the vet as follows:
1. Wash the snake bite wound with clean water or saline to remove as much of the poison as possible.
2. Do not tie with ropes as this may cause tissue death.
3. Collect the snake carcass or take a photo so that the veterinarian can identify the type of snake that bit and choose the correct serum for the snake venom.If you did not take a photo or do not know what kind of snake bit you, you can have a veterinarian examine your symptoms and assess your treatment.next
4. Take the dog to see a veterinarian as soon as possible so that the dog can receive anti-venom serum in a timely manner.
After giving first aid, the owner must rush the dog to the animal hospital as soon as possible because if the dog is bitten and left for a long time until the veterinarian cannot treat it in time, we may lose our beloved four-legged pet.
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References
DVMSasiphat Kittisarthammatha (Dr. Muk) Taling Chan Animal Hospital
Ramathibodi Poison Center. Snake venom. Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://www.rama.mahidol.ac.th/poisoncenter/th/pois-cov/snake
Kumar A, Rohi RR, Pawar P, Yadav R, Yadav P. Therapeutic management of snakebite in a male dog. Sch J Agric Vet Sci. 2016: 3(2)103-104.
OSDCO. When your dog gets bitten by a venomous snake. https://www.osdco.net/communities/knowledge/207/snake-bite
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