Snake Bites - What Am I Looking For?
Canberra has a delightful array of beautiful native wild life living in harmony with us. From birds to lizards, water rats to possums, kangaroos and wallabies. Most of these animals are harmless and lovely. But some are a little more dangerous. Snakes are a part of the Canberra region but these are best admired from a distance. Unfortunately, dogs and cats don't always grasp this important fact and snake bites are a common occurrence.
Brown, black and tiger snakes can all be found in the ACT and all are very toxic. Any snake bite must be treated as a medical emergency and veterinary help sought ASAP.
If you see your pet gets bitten, drop what you are doing and get to a vet now!
Signs that might indicate a snake bite include:
Sudden weakness followed by collapse.
Shaking or twitching of the muscles and difficulty blinking.
Vomiting.
Loss of bladder and bowel control.
Dilated pupils.
Paralysis.
Blood in urine.
Snake bite is always serious. In dogs, left untreated, it is almost always fatal. With prompt treatment the prognosis can be good although some dogs will sadly still succumb. Cats are somewhat more resistant to the toxins in the poison and often have a better prognosis but still require urgent treatment and supportive care.
Avoidance is the best possible course of action but if a bite does occur, remember don't delay and get your pet to the vet! Let's get your pet treated.
