Strike Force

How common are snake bites in dogs?

Now that the weather is turning warmer, it more likely your dog will encounter a snake during an outside adventure. Although most snakes move away quickly to avoid contact with dogs and other larger creatures, they can strike if they are cornered or threatened. It is important to know what to do if your dog comes across a snake — venomous or otherwise.

Approximately 120,000 dogs are bitten by venomous snakes each year in the United States. It is unknown how many non-venomous snake bites occur, since these bites are rarely seen at veterinary clinics. Statistics show that roughly 80 percent of dogs survive venomous snake bites with prompt care. The size of the dog, the location of the bite, and the period of time between the bite and receiving emergency care are factors that affect the survival rate.

What types of snakes do I need to be concerned about?

There are at least 50 species of snakes in the United States, 22 of which are considered venomous. The snakes most commonly associated with serious bites to dogs are from one of two families: the Elapidae and the Crotalidae. Coral snakes are the only elapids found in North America. All other venomous North American snakes are in the Crotalidae family.

Coral snakes are found in the southern United States, from Arizona to Florida. Although their venom is the most toxic of any snake in the U.S., these snakes have small fangs and must “chew” on their victim to inject venom. According to experts, less than half of these bites result in the snake injecting its venom into its prey. This process is known as “envenomation.” Coral snakes are small, so they don’t have much volume to inject when they bite.

Snakes in the Crotalidae are much more numerous in the U.S. Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads are well-known members of this group of snakes. Crotalids are found across the U.S. and are responsible for most of the venomous snake bites reported in dogs. Rattlesnake bites have a higher mortality than either cottonmouth or copperhead bites, due to how commonly they are encountered, their larger size and more powerful venoms.

Crotalids have large, retractable fangs and can control the amount of venom they inject. Experts estimate that 25 percent of bites are dry, meaning no venom is injected. Defensive strikes are often dry, or contain only small amounts of venom. This is in contrast to offensive strikes, where the snake injects a controlled amount of venom.

It is important to remember that dying snakes can still bite and inject all the contents of their venom glands at one time. This makes injured and dying snakes, even decapitated snakes, especially dangerous. Injured, dead or dying snakes can be very attractive to your dog because they don’t move quickly but still make enticing toys.

Non-venomous snakes will also defend themselves against predators, although they are not nearly as lethal. The most common non-venomous snakes that dogs encounter are garter snakes. They are so-named because of the stripes down their backs that look like clothing garters. While thought to be completely non-venomous, they do produce a mild venom that stuns the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume the prey. Because they have very small teeth rather than fangs, their bite is generally harmless to humans and other large mammals.

If your dog bites or eats a garter snake, there is no need for alarm. The smelly musk produced by the frightened snake may cause your dog to drool, gag or even vomit. It is not toxic and will hopefully make your dog reconsider getting too aggressive on its next snake encounter.

What are the signs of a snake bite?

The immediate signs of a snake bite are vomiting, drooling, dilated pupils, trembling, shaking or twitching muscles, especially in the hind legs.

Signs that may develop later include swelling at the site of the bite, weakness, paralysis, difficulty breathing, collapse, loss of bowel and bladder control, bloody urine and lethargy.

What should I do if my dog is bitten by a snake?

For non-venomous snakes, wash the wound with mild soap and water to prevent infection and watch for any sign of irritation. Most dogs do not need to see the veterinarian unless you are unsure of the type of snake that has bitten your dog.

If your dog is bitten by a venomous snake, do not panic, but get your dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Walk or carry your dog to your vehicle and keep your dog calm during transport. Activity can cause the toxin to spread more rapidly through the body.

There are a lot of folk remedies about how to treat snake bites that may do more harm than good. Do not place hot or cold packs on the bite area. Do not cut and/or suck at the site of the bite. Do not place a tourniquet around an affected leg. The best treatment is to get to the veterinarian ASAP!

Knowing the type of snake that inflicted the bite is helpful, but in many cases, owners do not witness the attack or see the snake. Caution is advised. Do not risk getting bitten yourself trying to identify an attacking snake.

How are venomous snake bites treated?

The prognosis for most venomous snake bites is excellent when dogs receive treatment quickly. Mortality rates rise when treatment is delayed, even for a few hours.

It is impossible to know how much venom is injected when a snake strikes, so all snake bites are treated with the assumption that at least some venom has been injected into the victim. Hospitalization is recommended for at least eight hours for supportive care and observation. Small dogs are at greater risk of more serious complications from snake bites due to their size.

Therapy for venomous snake bites includes a specific type of antivenin for each type of snake (except coral snakes). Although recommended, many dogs recover from venomous snake bites without receiving antivenin. Antivenin treatment can be expensive, especially for large dogs. Some dogs can have allergic reactions to antivenin, and dogs receiving this medication require close observation.

Snake bites are painful, and most veterinarians prescribe the use of narcotics to alleviate discomfort. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories should never be given because they can worsen the bleeding abnormalities that are often present in these patients.

Many dogs require supportive care with intravenous fluids during hospitalization. Other treatments, such as steroids, antihistamines and antibiotics, have not shown to be of any benefit when treating snake bites. However, they may be needed to treat dogs that suffer from shock or have a severe allergic reaction to antivenin.

What is the best way to prevent snake bites?

It is not always possible to avoid coming in contact with snakes, especially for dogs that live active outdoor lives. Rock formations and deep grass are good hiding places for snakes. Try keeping your dog on a leash when hiking in areas known to have high snake populations. Snakes are more active in warm weather.

Snake-proof your yard by keeping grass trimmed and minimizing wood piles, which make great hiding places for snakes. Rodents are food for snakes, so controlling their population discourages the snakes.

Although there is a vaccine that has been approved for use in dogs and is available in some areas, its effectiveness is controversial. The vaccine is not considered a core vaccine, and some veterinarians do not recommend its use. It is important to know that even vaccinated dogs need immediate veterinary care if they are bitten by a venomous snake.