Dogs and Snakebites

Dogs and Snakes

As the weather starts to warm up (hopefully!), we will see more of our snake friends come out and about, which corresponds to an increase in snake envenomation. Tasmania has three different species of snake, the Tiger snake, the copperhead and the whip snake. Snakes in Tasmania are considered protected species and harming them is illegal and may incur fines.

Symptoms of a potential snake bite in your dog may include:

• Vomiting

• Sudden collapse

• Dilated pupils

• Drooling, shaking and twitching of muscles

• Paralysis, starting in the hind end and progressing forward

• Blood in urination

• Heavy panting

What to do if you think your pet has been bitten:

• Keep calm yourself, which will aid to keep your pet calm. The less they move around, the less the toxin moves in their bodies. The same principle as human first aid!

• Carry or stretcher your dog to the car

• Seek Veterinary attention immediately

If your dog has been bitten by a snake - the longer it is left untreated the lower the chance of survival. Vets will assess your dog, take a blood sample to help determine the likelihood of envenomation and commence treatment in hospital if appropriate.

How can you reduce the risk of snake entanglement?

There is no one magic thing that works to deter snakes from your back yard, after all they were there first! The main things you can do, is to reduce what a snake is searching for - shelter, water, food!

• Remove rubble, building material or rock walls

• Keep grass short around your house

• Plant native trees that attract snake-eating birds like kookaburras

• Rodent control

• Remove water sources like ponds