A GA copperhead snake just bit your dog or cat! You can save its life with these tips
If you suspect a copperhead just bit your dog or cat, it’s time to act quick.
Copperheads can easily blend in with Georgia’s natural landscape, as they are brown and beige with ‘Hershey’s Kiss’ shapes’ all the way down its body, according to Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This makes the snakes more difficult to see, which could make their venomous bite that much more lethal.
So, if you suspect one bit your pet, here are the symptoms of a bite:
Snake bite symptoms in cats and dogs
PetMD experts said there are several symptoms your cat may experience after being bitten by a copperhead:
- Extreme pain and swelling at the site of the bite
- Swelling, bruising or dark fluid that spreads outward from the bite site
- Nausea, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea
- Pale gums
- Blood in the urine
- Dilated pupils
- Weakness, lethargy
- Shallow or labored breathing
- Elevated heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle twitching (after a bite by a neurotoxic rattlesnake)
- Shock
And if your dog gets bitten, here’s are some symptoms to look out for:
- Pale gums
- Mental dullness
- Changes in breathing (either slower or faster than usual)
- Drooling
- Tremors
- Collapse
What you can do if your dog is bitten by a copperhead in GA
If your dog or cat has been bitten by a copperhead snake, you should call your local veterinarian immediately.
“Let them know your dog was bitten by a snake and ask if they carry antivenom. If you have to, drive to a clinic that’s further away if it means your dog will have access to antivenom,” as stated on American Kennel Club’s website. “Antivenom works best when given immediately, but it is still effective hours, and even days, after a bite.”
But there’s something you can do to help:
When you are on your way to the vet, keep the bitten part of your pet below the level of the heart, if at all possible. This helps to slow the spread of toxins, said petMD experts.
Once you arrive, other treatment will depend on how serious the bite is and where the wound is located on your pet’s body.
Of course, there are a few things you should not do too:
What not to do if your pet is bitten by a copperhead
Don’t wait. “When in doubt, have your dog checked out. Dogs are smaller than people, so a snake that is venomous to humans is even more so to dogs,” said petMD experts. The same goes for cats, if you suspect your feline has been bitten.
Additionally, American Kennel Club experts said the following treatments could be ineffective and/or dangerous to try yourself: tourniquet or constriction bandage, sucking out the venom, antihistamines, ice, NSAIDS to control pain and corticosteroids to control swelling.
And here’s what you can do before something bad happens:
Keep your yard clean before it’s too late:
Pest experts recommend keeping your yard clean, without debris around and grass cut down. It is also recommended to get rid of water and food sources such as outside dog or cat food because those will attract snakes.
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