Snake Bites: What Do You Dog?

It’s  feeling a bit like Summer here in the UK, and we aren’t the only ones  to be enjoying the warmer weather.  Spring brings many a creature out of  hibernation, and among them are our native reptiles.

A  lot of people don’t realise that we do in fact have reptiles in the UK,  given our abysmal and changeable climate, but we do in fact have three  native snakes and three native lizards.  One of each being severely  threatened with extinction, but they’re there nonetheless!

Five out of our six scaley friends are totally harmless, but one, the Adder, is venomous.

Now,  realistically, you will probably go your entire life without stumbling  across any of the UKs reptiles.  They’re quite happy to go about their  days, basking in the sun, cruising around looking for things to eat and  generally doing what reptiles do.  You leave them alone, and they will  leave you alone.

However, there  is always that slim chance that you and your hound will be out for a  walk and stumble upon one…and if your hound were to get bitten by an  Adder, would you know what to do?  Would you even know what one looks  like?

Adders are unique in  appearance, compared to the other native snakes, they are grey/brown  colour with a distinctive dark zig-zag pattern running the length of  it’s back.  They also have very distinctive red eyes, and while we love a  snake and think they’re beautiful, this dangerous little nope rope does  look permanently angry.

They can  be found in the woodlands, heathlands, and moorlands across most of the  UK, and come out of hibernation as the days start warming up in  March…and now we’re into April, and its gloriously hot outside, they’ll  be out and about for dog walkers to accidentally stumble across.  

Adders,  like all snakes, will keep themselves to themselves unless threatened  but dogs will be dogs and when off lead or on long lines, they will  sniff them out and startle them into striking.  It can also happen  purely by accident, but the risk is the same either way.

They  are incredibly quick, and you may not even know that your hound has  been bitten as they let out the greyhound scream of death, but if you  believe there is a chance they have been bitten by an Adder, you need to  get them to the vet asap.

If  bitten, the immediate symptom is swelling, pain and sometimes bleeding  at the site of the bite.  If you look carefully, you may be able to see  two puncture wounds.  Depending on where the bite has happened, the  swelling can cause immediate concerns, especially if your hound is  allergic.

But then, how would you know your hound is allergic to snake bites…until a snake bite happens?

With  treatment, most dogs will make a full recovery, as Adder bites are  rarely fatal, but you should get your hound to the vet immediately, even  if you simply suspect a bite.

If  your hound is bitten on the face or neck, any amount of swelling can  prove dangerous and lead to difficulty breathing.  If they are allergic,  it doesn’t matter where the bite is, things can escalate very quickly.

If  the venom stays localised to the bite wound, they should be okay.  But  should the venom spread further into the body and get into their  bloodstream, there is the potential for organ and nervous system damage.

However,  should the Adder get that one in a million shot and bite your hound  directly into a vein or artery, it can prove fatal, but rest assured the  chances of this happening are so very slim.

If  you suspect your hound has been bitten by an adder, stay calm.   Restrict their movement to minimise the spread of the venom and remove  harnesses or collars if swelling occurs to prevent restriction.  
In  other words, you pick that bad boy up and you run for your car.  Yes,  for most of us that is virtually impossible given the size of the  heffalump noodle horses we had the insanity to adopt, but you do your  darndest to get that melodramatic four-legged toddler into your car and  get to the vet asap.

Remember the  ‘stay calm’ part, though we imagine for most people that will go fully  out the window.  But please drive safely, contact your vet enroute to  let them know what the situation is, where the bite is and if there is  any symptoms yet, and your planned arrival time.  This will give them  the ability to prepare for their arrival and arrange the appropriate  treatment.

Don’t be one of those  twits off the movies and try to ‘suck out the venom’, not only does this  not work, but it will make things worse.  Just go to the vet!

Depending  on the severity of your dog’s reaction to the bite (i.e. if they’re  allergic) the treatment will vary but trust the process and follow their  instructions in supporting them once you take them home.  If at any  point you are in doubt, get back in touch with your vet.

Want  to avoid this saga altogether?  Take precautions when walking out in  the countryside or known Adder habitats, particularly on warm and sunny  mornings when they will be out soaking up the rays ready to start their  day!  
Always keep your hound on the lead and avoid  walking in long grass, other deep litter (leaves/mulch etc) that may  prevent you from seeing an adder and avoid climbing amongst fallen logs  or wood piles.

While interactions  with our native danger noodles can be frightening, prompt action and  appropriate veterinary care will significantly improve the outcome for  your hound.  

Hopefully, none of  you will ever have to worry about this, but it is something to bare in  mind as the weather continues to improve and we all head out on  adventures to nature reserves and hiking trails!