29/04/2026
βπAdder Bite Alertπβ
With the recent sunny days, there have been reports of adder bites in cattle.
Adders are the only venomous snake found at heathland, moorland and woodland edges across Britain.
Adder bites in livestock are seen each year between April and October. In ruminants, most bites occur in the face when the snake is accidentally disturbed, but they are also seen on the udder, tongue, or limbs.
In most cases, animals only develop a minor or local reaction. However, adder bites can potentially lead to severe clinical signs, requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Adder venom is a mixture of toxins, that is delivered deep into the tissue by needle-like fangs. This causes enormous damage to blood vessels, with subsequent severe swelling and loss of skin and underlying tissue. When this occurs in the face, rapid breathing and drooling occur. The sudden and severe reaction to the bite can cause fever and depression. In exceptional cases, an anaphylactic shock to the venom leads to death.
Treatment needs to be prompt and is targeted at limiting the damage caused by the venomous toxins. Anti-inflammatories and steroids are given to reduce swelling and pain, where antibiotics aim to prevent secondary bacterial infections. An anti-serum to adder venom is not readily available in the UK.