06/29/2021
PET SAFETY WITH VENOMOUS SNAKES
Lately, there has been an increase in snake sightings due to hot weather and heavy rains. Becoming familiar with snake bite prevention and protocol may help save your pet’s life.
There are 5 main species of venomous snakes in our area: Corals, Cottonmouths (aka Water Moccasins), Pigmy Rattlers, Eastern Diamondback Rattlers and Timber Rattlers. All of these can cause severe injury or death to pets and require immediate attention.
🐍 Bite Prevention Tips
- Keep your dog leashed while on walks, especially in unfamiliar areas.
- Monitor your dog while in your yard.
- Snakes tend to avoid mid-day heat, so walking your dog around noon may be safer (if not too hot).
- Stick to walking paths while hiking.
- Keep your lawn mowed regularly and shrubbery trimmed.
- Keep your cat inside.
🐍 Signs Of Venomous Snake Bite
DOGS: Extensive swelling which may spread rapidly, bleeding at site (most often face and front limbs), fang puncture wounds (not always obvious), yelping in pain, drooling, excessive panting, vomiting & diarrhea, collapse.
CATS: Shortness of breath, weakness, swelling, drooling, inability to vocalize, seizures, paralysis, dilated pupils, vomiting & diarrhea.
(Your pet may only experience a few of these symptoms and some may show none at the beginning. If you actually witness a snake bite, go to the vet immediately).
🐍 What To Do If You Suspect a Bite
- Contact your vet ASAP. Make sure they carry antivenin (an antiserum containing antibodies against snake venom). WE STOCK ANTIVENIN AT BIRCH ISLAND. If after hours, go to an Emergency Vet.
- Carry your pet if possible; be aware they are in pain and might act aggressively; muzzle your dog if necessary and have your cat contained in a carrier.
- Assume any snake bite is venomous.
- If possible to be done safely & quickly, try to get a pic of the snake.
- Know that some rattlesnakes can still envenomate after they’ve been killed.
- Don’t try to address the poison yourself by “sucking it out” or applying creams, etc. GO TO THE VET.
🐍 Medical Concerns With Snake Bites
- Tissue & blood vessel damage
- Destruction of red blood cells
- Clotting disorders
- Neurological deficits or neuromuscular defects
- Shock
- Death
*Cats and small dogs are more likely to succumb to a venomous snake bite.
Some helpful FB snake ID pages:
🟡 Florida Snake Identification & Discussion
🟡 Florida Snake ID
🟡 What kind of snake is this? Florida.
If you need help relocating a snake from your property, check out Free Snake Relocation Directory. In our area, Zack Johnson is one of the volunteers and can be reached at 904-716-3709 (he does this in addition to his job, so not available 24/7).
It’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the local snake species and what they look like.
A helpful resource website:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW229