P.P.A.H.
Rattlesnake Bites - A guide to prevention and treatment ...
Introduction
The North Scottsdale desert is a very common place
to find rattlesnakes. For those of you who aren’t sure what a rattlesnake
looks like, here are the main features:
• a broad, triangular head on a narrow neck
• folding fangs
• cat's-eye or elliptical pupils instead of round ones
• usually a rattle at the end of the tail (though this may be missing or broken)
As you can see, picking out most of these characteristics requires being
close to the snake. This is
why we suggest that you leave any strange snake alone.
Rattlesnake bites generally occur in the spring and early fall, when the nights are cool and the days are warm. While the majority of bites are to dogs, we do occasionally treat cats. The information contained in this article applies equally to both animals.
About ninety percent of the bites which are treated by veterinarians occur in the dog’s nose. This is no doubt caused by its natural inquisitiveness and using its nose to investigate.
Bites that occur from baby rattlesnakes are particularly dangerous due to their lack of control of the venom released and they are more easily provoked.
Prevention
While out walking or hiking always have your dog on a leash. Don’t allow your pet to explore holes in the ground, or other areas which might conceal a snake. Stay on paths which would offer good visibility of snakes. Try to minimize walking at night as snakes are nocturnal most of the year.
If you hear the characteristic “rattling” sound of the snake, freeze and locate it. Slowly back away from the snake until you are no longer within striking distance (at least half the snakes’ length) and until it stops rattling at you. Do what you can to keep your it from attacking the snake, but do not put yourself in danger. And whatever you do, DO NOT attempt to handle the snake!
If your lifestyle results in your dog frequently being in high risk situations (i.e. - hiking, camping, boating, etc.) consider enrolling it in a “Snake Breaking” class. These classes train your dog to avoid contact with rattlesnakes. We recommend Magma Bird Dogs at 602-272-8008.
Don’t forget that snakes can also be around your house. Keep your dogs and cats indoors when unsupervised. If you locate a rattlesnake in your yard, call the Rural Metro Fire Department to come and safely remove it.
Treatment
If you have either seen, or suspect, that your dog has been bitten treat it as a medical emergency! Don't chase the snake. The antivenin treatment for a rattlesnake bite does not require knowing what species of rattlesnake it is. Check for the following symptoms:
- sudden significant swelling in the area of the bite
- significant pain at the site of the bite
- a trickle of blood from the bite wound
- bruising in the area of the bite
You should keep your dog cool, calm, and immediately take it to your veterinarian or the nearest open veterinary hospital. Do not attempt any home remedies such as applying a tourniquet, making an incision and sucking the venom out, cold packs, or ice. A veterinarian can perform the appropriate medical analysis, treatments, and inject antivenin if needed.
In closing, while a bite is a serious event, greater than 80% of most dogs survive especially if treated in a timely fashion. They respond best if treated within a few hours of the occurrence of the bite.
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