If Your Pet Gets Bitten by a Snake

By FREYA CADE | AUSTRALIAN SNAKE CATCHERS

Pets are often bitten on the face, neck, chest and front legs and feet. Dogs generally bark at snakes and use their feet to investigate more.

Short hair dogs are probably bitten more than long-haired dogs. Australian venomous snakes only have small fangs.

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
• Sudden weakness and your pet may collapse

• Check the above areas and/or your whole pet for localized swelling, bleeding and/or a bite mark. These are generally two small marks

• The bite site will be painful

• There could be muscle tremors, drooling and shaking

• They may also vomit and empty their bowel.

• Their pupils dilate and paralysis may onset quite quickly in some cases.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten but shows no signs at the time please take them to your nearest vet. Carry your domestic animal to the car and into the clinic. The quicker treatment can start the greater the chance of survival.

PHOTO: These two fighting male red-bellied black snakes were spotted by Brian McCombe while on his daily walk at Rouse Hill.