If your dog or cat may have been bitten by a snake, contact a vet and take them for emergency veterinary care immediately. Keep them calm and as still as possible. Do not wait for symptoms or for an identification of the snake.
Getting help now
- Call your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. Say that a snake bite is suspected and that you are coming. Follow their instructions for your animal.
- Limit movement. Carry your pet to the car if you can do so safely, rather than allowing them to walk.
- Take them to the vet immediately. If another pet may also have had contact with the snake, tell the vet; an apparently normal animal may need assessment too.
These steps follow Australian veterinary guidance from the Animal Emergency Centre and Animal Poisons Centre. This guide concerns dogs and cats; for another type of pet, contact a vet immediately for advice specific to that animal.
Looking better does not mean the danger has passed
A pet may collapse and then appear to recover. That improvement is not a reason to cancel the trip. Bite marks can also be difficult to find.
The RSPCA’s snake-bite guidance lists possible signs including weakness or collapse, muscle twitching, vomiting, difficulty breathing, paralysis, bleeding and dark urine. Signs vary, so do not use this list to rule out a bite or wait for several signs to appear.
Do not delay to treat the bite yourself
Do not wash the bite site, cut it, suck it or apply a tourniquet. Ask the vet for any immediate first-aid instructions while arranging transport, including whether a pressure bandage is practical for your pet’s suspected bite site.
Do not catch, kill or handle the snake, even if it appears dead. If you already have a safely taken photo, show the vet; do not delay care to obtain one. The vet will assess your pet and decide what testing and treatment are needed.
