Snakebites

Signs/symptoms

1. If the animal has been bitten by a non-poisonous snake (most of the snakes you will encounter are going to be non-poisonous), you may see an outline of teh snake's teeth/jaw at the area of the bite. The animal may be licking the area surrounding the bite and there may be mild swelling.
2. If the animal has been bitten by a poisonous snake, you will often see two puncture wounds from the fangs. (Most poisonous snakes have large, triangular heads. Also, if the snake rattles, it's poisonous.) The animal's breath may be labored, there may be a large area of swelling surrounding teh bite/fang marks, and the animal is often quiet and listless.
3. If you see the outline of the snake's teeth/jaw and two fang marks, treat the animal as if it were bitten by a poisonous snake.

Treatment

Sucking the venom out of any snakebite wound is NOT recommended.

1. If non-poisonous:
a) Clip the hair form the wound if possible using blunt-tipped curved scissors.
b) Clean the area with warm water and a gentle disinfectant or with hydrogen peroxide (using a clean cloth, sponge, etc.
c)Perform a second cleaning with povidone-iodine wipes.
d) Apply light layer of triple antibiotic ointment
e) Cover with gauze dressing pads.
f) Wrap lightly with gauze roll bandage.
g) Secure with adhesive tape, placing the tape over the gauze roll itself, not onto the animal's skin or hair.
h) Seek veterinary care for appropriate antibiotic therapy.

2. If poisonous:
a) Consistently apply an instant cold compress to the bite area to help control swelling.
b) Apply a tight bandage, using a gauze roll, above the bite area, between the bite wound and the heart. DO NOT apply so tightly as to prevent circulation. You should be able to slide one finger under the bandage.
c) Secure the bandage with adhesive tape-placing the tape over teh gauze roll bandage itself, not onto the animal's hair or skin.
d) If possible, prevent the animal from walking. This will slow the spread of the venom.
c) SEEK VETERINARY CARE IMMEDIATELY! Appropriate medical care is the best chance for recovery. (see Moving an Injured Cat, Moving an Injured Dog).