Planning a stroll with your dog on any of the beautiful trails or wilderness areas in Mission Viejo? Rattlesnakes are a potential disruption to your outdoor recreation plans this summer, so let’s make sure you’re prepared for the worst case scenario for you and your pup – a snake bite.
Rattlesnakes will often hide in tall grass or brush, under rocks or fallen trees – the very places your dog is likely to put their nose sniffing around making the face/muzzle a very common site for a snake bite to occur. Dogs will also often get bitten on their lower legs after stepping near or on a snake resulting in a bite.
You may not see the snake but if your dog yelps and jumps backwards suddenly or begins limping after being in an area of brush or off trail, they should get checked out to make sure they weren’t bitten.
If a snake bite has occurred or is even suspected, getting to a veterinary hospital with antivenin as soon as possible is essential. The dogs that recover best are those that receive treatment within the first 2 hours after a snake bite. Complications are more likely the longer treatment is delayed. Swelling typically occurs quickly around the site of the bite.
Pain control is the first priority followed by antivenin, the only antidote to snake venom.
Antivenin is administered into an intravenous catheter. The dose is not based on a dog’s weight but on the venom so dogs of all sizes will get 1-2 vials from the get-go. Additional doses of antivenin are administered based on progression of swelling, pain or changes to blood parameters that can be affected by snake venom.
Most snake bites do not get infected so antibiotics are generally not needed.
Maybe you’ve heard of a “dry bite”. It cannot be known for sure that a snake did not inject venom into a dog when bitten so treatment with an initial dose of antivenin is recommended as lack of treatment for envenomation could be potentially fatal.
Yes, there is a rattlesnake vaccine available for dogs. A vaccinated dog does still require treatment if bitten by a rattlesnake – they just may have more time to receive medical intervention before more serious complications occur.
How can you protect your pup from snakes this summer? Keep them on leash within a distance that can be easily monitored. Limit off trail access and stay alert for that distinctive warning rattle.
If you’re committed to the off trail, off leash life or just want some extra education for both you and your dog, rattlesnake aversion training is an excellent way to significantly reduce the risk of snake bites.
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