In the warmer summer months, snakes become much more active. It is crucial that we are careful to safeguard our pets from snake bites and watch out for the warning signs that our pets have been bitten. Armed with curiosity and natural hunting instincts, it’s not uncommon for our favourite four legged friends to attempt to chase or kill snakes, putting themselves at risk of bites.
How you can protect your pets from snakes
Snakes are attracted to food and water sources and safe, quiet places to hide. To make your backyard less appealing to snakes keep the grass cut low and your property clear of piles of rubbish and other objects where snakes may be able to hide (e.g., wood piles).
There are no specific methods of training to teach your pets not to chase snakes so the best form of protection is to keep your animals away from them. If snakes are common in your area you could consider building a snake-proof fence around all or part of your property. To ensure your cat’s safety, keep it indoors with access to a snake-proof outdoor enclosure. If you are walking your dog close to bushland, especially near water during the summer months, you should keep your dog on a lead and avoid long grassy areas.
What to do if your pet has been bitten by a snake
The sort of reaction your pet has to a snake bite is determined by the type of snake, the amount of venom injected and the site of the snake bite. Generally, the closer the bite is to the heart the quicker the venom spreads to the rest of the body. In addition, at the beginning of summer, snakes’ venom glands are fuller and their bites more severe.
The tiger and brown snake are responsible for most of the snake bites in domestic pets and can be fatal. Signs of 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.
If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake, keep them as calm and quiet as possible and take them to a vet immediately. The chance of recovery is much greater if treated early. If your vet is some distance away you can apply a firm bandage over and around the bite site to apply pressure and help slow the venom spreading to the heart. Do NOT wash the wound or apply a tourniquet.
If you can identify the snake, tell your vet what type of snake it is but don’t try to catch or kill it. If you don’t know, don’t worry, the vet will be able to identify whether your pet has been bitten and by what type of snake by a blood or urine test.
Once the snake has been identified the vet will administer anti-venom. Anti-venom is expensive and can result in a large vet bill so it is best to try and keep your pets safe and away from snakes in the first place.
What to do if there is a snake in your garden or house
If you see a snake on your property do not try to catch or kill it. Most snakes in Victoria are venomous and will strike if provoked. Walk away from the snake slowly and keep an eye on it from a safe distance (several metres away). Keep your pets safely away from it and call the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) who will provide the names and details of your local snake catchers. If the snake is inside the house, close the door of the room it is in and place a towel under the door before calling the DEPI
