Cottonmouth venom is deadly to small creatures, but its not immediately fatal for most dogs. However, more serious symptoms start to develop in the half hour or so following the bites. Dizziness, tremors, bodily weakness and nausea are all symptoms of advancing venom, so dont waste any time seeking professional assistance if your dog starts acting weird after being bitten. Fatal symptoms including kidney failure can develop in less than 24 hours after the bite if the dogs body contains too much venom and its left untreated.
Quentin Coleman has written for various publications, including All Pet News and Safe to Work Australia. He spent more tan 10 years nursing kittens, treating sick animals and domesticating semi-feral cats for a local animal shelter. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelors degree in journalism.
If you come running at the sound of sudden desperate barking only to find your pet holding half a snake in his mouth, then hes probably been bitten at least once. Most dogs win the battle of strength against cottonmouths, but the snakes agility allows him to strike his canine foe with relative ease at least once. Whether the snake is dead or alive, your first priority is removing your dog from the situation immediately. Cottonmouths can bite and envenom their target multiple times, and each successive bite makes the encounter much more dangerous. Call to your dog and tug his leash or chain to get him away from the snake. Take care to avoid the snake if its still alive, as cottonmouth venom is dangerous for humans as well.
Dogs and snakes dont get along very well. Canine encounters with cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are actually fairly common in the United States. While snakes prefer flight to fight, your pup probably doesnt understand the situation. Cottonmouths are venomous and more aggressive than many local snake species.
Call the local vet or animal hospital to inform them of the situation and ask about their supply of anti-venom if you believe your pets been bitten by a venomous snake. Smaller clinics may not carry the appropriate chemicals to manage a cottonmouth bite, so you may be redirected to a larger institution if its close enough so your pet can get the best treatment possible. In addition to anti-venom, the vet may also administer the painkiller morphine as well as antibiotics and fluids to keep your pet hydrated. With prompt vet treatment, the prognosis is generally good and recovery should take less than a week. Your vet my advise an alternate course of treatment if the bite injuries are too numerous or severe.
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How to Treat a Snake Bite on a Dog
Approximately 80% of pets survive a snake bite if treated quickly, so a prompt response is essential. This involves recognizing the initial symptoms of a snake bite and immediately seeking care.
Although the intensity of snake bite symptoms will depend on the factors listed above, watch out to see if your dog is exhibiting any of these signs:
Another important symptom to check for when determining how to treat a snake bite on a dog? Evidence of bite wounds and pain/swelling around a bite site. Snakes will often bite your pet in the face, neck, or legs when the dog tries to catch the snake. In many cases, there may be minimal pain and swelling so this isn’t the most reliable way of determining whether your pet got bitten or not — you still have to watch for the other signs.
What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Cottonmouth
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The sun and flowers aren’t the only things that come out in spring. The warmer months also signal the start of animals coming out of hibernation. Most of these animals are generally harmless to pets, but others — such as snakes — can negatively impact the wellbeing of your furry friends.
Snakes are cold-blooded animals that can be found in just about any type of climate: deserts, forests, swamps, and grasslands. Since they’re cold-blooded, they don’t have the necessary means to regulate their body temperatures on their own, so they seek out warm places. During winter, they hibernate under rocks, in tunnels or burrows; sometimes even in human homes.
Thus, when snakes come out during warmer months to seek prey, there’s a chance they cross paths with our naturally curious four-legged friends.
If it doesn’t go well, let’s take a look at the important details around how to treat a snake bite on a dog:
Apart from a scuffle around gathering food, a snake has no reason to bite other creatures.
Since they don’t have limbs or claws, they bite out of defense. When a dog is curious or too hard headed to leave a snake alone, it may get bitten.