Dealing with a dog bitten by a snake is a situation that no one wants to go through. However, when you are in a wild environment or have a venomous animal enter your home, this type of emergency can happen.
Knowing how to provide first aid and seek appropriate help makes all the difference to your dog’s well-being and recovery. Therefore, it is essential to know what to do and what not to do at this time.
In this article, learn what to do if your dog is bitten by a snake.
What are the symptoms of a snake bite in dogs?
It’s not always easy to tell if a dog has been bitten by a snake if you don’t see it. However, some symptoms may appear, such as:
- local swelling;
- purple skin;
- apathy;
- hair loss in the region.
Which snakes are most dangerous to dogs?
The most dangerous snakes for dogs are those that are venomous . After all, venom poses risks to both humans and animals. In this case, jararaca, coral snake and rattlesnake are the species that pose the most risks.
What to do if your dog is bitten by a snake?
To deal with a dog bitten by a snake, it is essential to follow some basic precautions to preserve the animal’s well-being. So check it out.
Try to identify the snake
Knowing which snake bit your dog is important for using the correct antivenom. This way, you can neutralize the venom and prevent the situation from getting worse. There are apps that help you identify the species.
Keep calm
It’s hard to let go of your nerves in a tense situation like this, but your dog needs help. That’s why it’s important to try your best to stay calm and deal with the situation clearly.
Be agile
Agility is a great ally in snakebite situations. Therefore, don’t wait to seek help and take your dog to medical care as soon as possible.
Hold the dog close to your body
Your dog may also become restless in this situation. So, try to hold him close to your body to help him calm down, offer support and prevent him from moving around too much and hurting himself.
Take it to the vet immediately.
The most important thing in this situation is to take your dog to the vet immediately. The sooner your dog receives help, the easier it will be to take care of his health.
What should not be done if a dog is bitten by a snake?
Providing first aid to a dog bitten by a snake is essential. However, there are some things that should not be done, such as:
- restrict circulation with tourniquets or other procedures;
- try to suck out the poison;
- give medicine to the animal without a prescription;
- cause bleeding;
- offer food to the dog;
- do compression.
Promptly assisting a dog bitten by a snake is the best way to deal with the situation and help the animal. Therefore, take the dog to the vet as soon as possible and avoid any contraindicated actions.
