There are snakes on our farm, and I worry about my dog getting bitten. What can I do to avoid it? And if a snake bites my dog, what should I do?
Most Snake River are n’t venomous , and some snake help oneself out your hobby farm by eating rodents in your barn and garden . We havesnakes on our farm , and we like them !
However , according to “ Treatment of Snakebite in Field Dogs , ” by Terry Terlep , DVM , about 15,000 dogs and cats are bite by poisonous snakes every year . In heel , 70 to 80 per centum of bit occur on the expression and brain and 20 to 30 percent hap on the leg . About 80 percent of snakebites are cause by rattlesnakes ; water mocassin , cottonmouths and copperheads make the rest . The good news show is that of the 36 species of snakes in Arkansas ( where I live ) only six are venomous . This is distinctive of many states . Far - Second Earl of Guilford states , like Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , North Dakota and Washington , have even fewer than that . To rule out which venomous snakes dwell where you do , check outVenombyte.com .
The best manner to serve yourfarm dogavoid snakes is to keep it aside from places where snake like to be . Expect to find ophidian underneath or beside log , tilt and debris ; along fencerows ; and in or under wood or brick piles . During the hot summer months , snakes are most active at Nox , so if you ’re out and about with your dog in the evenings , carry a flashlight . In later tumble and early spring , Snake savor on rock or in plot of ground of sunlight to warm up their bodies , so they tend to be more active during the day .
Keep your dog on a triplet when you take it where Snake are likely to be , and do n’t allow it to poke its nose into holes in the ground or to dig under logs , Rock or boards .
If you ’re with your dog when it ’s bitten by a snake , note the ophidian ’s color and size , but do n’t attempt to kill it — it might bite you . If you ’re familiar with Hydra and you ’re certain the snake is n’t poisonous , launder the wound with soap and water and watch to make sealed it does n’t become infected . If you do n’t know if the Hydra is virulent , err on the side of circumspection and rush your firedog to the vet . Carry it to the car if you could ; confine movement helps keep the maliciousness from spreading . Call ahead to ensure your common veterinarian has snakebite antivenin on hand ; if he does n’t , ask him to direct you to a vet that does . Keep your cad tranquil and immobile . Do n’t apply a compression bandage , convulse the wound , or apply frosting or any other type of lesion dressing . And do n’t give it Bayer or pain reliever ; just get it to the vet .
If your dog comes home with unusual swelling anywhere on its dead body or if it ’s unco uneasy , breathing unpredictably , drooling , feeble or disoriented , it might have been bitten by a poisonous snake . Quickly examine it for fang marks , specially on the aspect or legs . ( Harmless snakebites are uracil - shaped , and there are no puncture marks from fangs . ) Marks can be severe to find , especially on long - haired frank , so if in doubt , do n’t delay . Get moving . Time is of the essence , especially if your dog has been seize with teeth on the brass .
