Hiking, Your Dog, And Snakes
There are several varieties of poisonous snakes that inhabit the continental United States, and each can pose a threat to you or your dog. If you like to go hiking out in the wilderness with your pet, there are some things you should know.
Prevention
It may be tempting to let your dog run wild on a secluded trail, but it is rarely ever a good idea. If you want it to have a little leeway, buy a retractable leash. Dogs are curious creatures and like to stand their ground, while barking. With a snake, that’s a recipe for trouble. Not only could your dog be a victim of snake bite, but you could be as well.
Don’t let your dog dig under flat rocks, logs, explore holes in the ground, or investigate something hidden in the tall grasses or weeds.
If you live in an area with rattlers, it is best to limit your hikes to daytime, since these snakes are mostly nocturnal.
Identifying the Snake
If your dog is bitten, it would be helpful to your vet if you could identify what type of snake bit your dog. If you heard a rattling sound, it is most likely a rattler. The timber rattlesnake is common in the eastern half of the US, and it can live as far north as the Midwestern states. There are also the diamond back rattlers: an eastern version (the southeastern states), and a western version (California to Arkansas).
The copperhead and cottonmouth snakes inhabit the eastern part of the US and also live up north as far as the Midwestern states, like Indiana and Missouri. The copperhead snake can range from tan to copper coloring and has a triangular copper colored head and hourglass markings on its back.
The cottonmouth (or water moccasin) is a thick, heavy snake with charcoal, dark olive green, or brown coloring, and the inside of its mouth is light colored. Its venom is much more lethal than the copperhead’s.
The colorful coral snake is the most toxic of all the US snakes. It has red, narrow yellow, and black bands and a blunt black snout. There are three similar types, the Eastern, the Western, and the Texas coral snake. Their range goes from North Carolina to Arizona.
Pet First Aid
If your dog gets loose and gets bit, you will likely find that it will have trouble walking, or it may collapse altogether, since snake venom is a neuro-toxin. Look it over carefully for fang marks — there could be more than one set of wounds. Some snakes have small teeth and the marks may be hard to find. The bite could even be on the dog’s tongue, so it may be missed.
If the wounds are on a leg, you should fashion a snug, but not excessively tight, tourniquet or constricting band of some sort above the marks to slow the venom. Do your best to keep your pet calm and quiet. Take your dog immediately to a veterinary hospital, Northwest Animal Hospital And Pet Care Center PC, like for treatment.
Emergency Veterinary Treatment
Treatment will involve shaving and cleaning the area of the bite. If the animal is having trouble breathing, it will be put on a ventilator. Your pet will also probably need an IV with fluids for a few days. If the dog makes it through the first 48 hours (or up to 4 days for a coral snake bite), it will probably pull through and may be released to your care soon after.
Anti-venom is very expensive and perishable, so it is not very likely than your veterinary hospital has any on the premises. The veterinarian may offer to send for some, but it probably won’t be delivered in time to do much good, so few people can justify the expense.
As your dog recovers, the area may look deformed and will be very swollen. The nerves and muscles will be affected, so it will take some time before your pet is back to normal.
