Dog First Aid – Snakebite
When we think of dogs, we think of bravery, loyalty, and their unswerving dedication to their owners. Thanks to thousands of years of domestication, we have made dogs that way. Dangers that a wolf or coyote would avoid, a dog will rush in with very little, if no fear at at. At these times, an owner may have to step in to save a dog from himself. One such occasion is snake bites.
Knowing what to do in the event of a snake bite is especially important, as estimates show around 15,000 pets being bitten by snakes a year. A little research into the types of poisonous snakes in your area will help you immensely, since knowing the species of snake that bit your dog will be absolutely vital information for any treatment. It will also save you the trouble of getting professional care for your dog if you can tell a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous one. If you’re not familiar with the local serpents, try to notice what the snake looked like so you can relay the information to a veterinarian. Naturally, if the snake isn’t poisonous, it’s not a medical emergency.
Most of the time, a dog will startle a snake and the snake will lash back, usually sinking its fangs into a dog’s face or legs. Afterwards, a poisonous bite will show swelling, pain, and redness, centered on a pair of tiny puncture wounds. Other possible signs of a poisonous snake bite are labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, an increased pulse, and shock. If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a venomous snake because of displaying these signs, look for the paired puncture wounds on your dog’s flesh.
A poisoned dog should receive professional medical attention as soon as possible. Take special care not to excite the dog as you transport it. Keeping a bitten dog calm is of utmost importance, since a heightened pulse rate moves venom through the dog’s body fast. You many also have to provide artificial respiration, particularly if your dog was bitten in the face. If your dog was bitten in a leg, placing that leg below the level of the heart, with the leg pointed towards the ground on a lower level than the dog’s heart, will slow the movement of the venom into the dog’s body.
Most home remedies for poisonings are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Incisions around the bite wound won’t remove the venom, nor will ice pressed against the punctures or applying a tourniquet to slow the flow of venom in the dog’s body. Most of these methods, along many others not listed here that occasionally crop up in urban myths, will cause more harm to your dog than the venom, partly because venom travels in a dog’s lymph, not their blood.
If you want to slow the venom from coursing through your dog’s veins, apply light pressure above the leg using either the flat of your hand or a piece of cloth that’s only somewhat restricting. It might not be much, but it’s better than trusting the life of your dog to an urban myth.
As long as you maintain a clear, cool head, you’ll be able to help your dog through a snakebite incident. Being informed before an emergency happens is the key to success. Understanding how vulnerable your dog is can help you to be more aware of potentially dangerous situations before they arise.
Pets Editor
Dog Fancy Magazine – Dog Fancy Magazine is dedicated to the care and enjoyment of pet dogs. Each issue features articles about canine health, dog nutrition, dog behavior and dog breeding.
