We have had some early advice from our friends at WAVES that Perth snakes are waking up with the warmer weather. Sadly, this means that snakebite season is starting again in Perth and throughout our state. WAVES and other vet hospitals have treated several cases in the past few weeks. Some recent cases have been severe enough to require life-supporting ventilation.
As the temperatures increase, we know from experience that the incidence of bites will increase. While many of you will be lucky enough not to stumble across a snake, please be alert – we do have a population of snakes in the bushland surrounding Point Walter and along the river. Perth's bushland corridors and lakes provide a haven for all wildlife, including snakes.
Snakes generally try to avoid confrontation and only bite as a last resort when scared due to being attacked, bitten, chased or disturbed by a curious cat or dog. Sadly, many of these bites will be lethal.
Signs of snakebite can be subtle at first and can progress with devastating rapidity to complete paralysis and an inability to breathe, which is the most common cause of acute death in envenomated dogs and cats. Snake venom may also stop the blood clotting causing internal bleeding, and with tiger snake bites, severe muscle damage also occurs.
If you see your pet in close contact with a snake, it is important that you immediately phone your regular veterinarian or an emergency service such as WAVES or The Animal Hospital at Murdoch to inform them that you are coming down with a potential snake bite patient and to obtain first aid advice if your pet already appears unwell. If your dog is small enough, carry it to the car, as their movement speeds up the spread of venom.
Always take your pet to the vet immediately while trying to keep it calm. Do not take a wait-and-see approach. If your pet has been playing with or near a snake and suddenly vomits, loses control of its bowels, collapses or has unusual breathing and then appears to recover, it is highly likely to have received a lethal bite and require treatment.
DON'T attempt to kill or catch live snakes, they are a protected species by law, and it is safest to leave them alone. If required, veterinarians can run tests to determine the best type of antivenom to use, and we don’t want to have to deal with envenomated humans as well!
To minimise the chance of your pets being bitten - keep dogs on a short lead when walking in bush areas, and don't allow them to sniff in areas where a snake could be hiding. Prevent cats from wandering, either indoors or in an outdoor enclosure. Keep your lawn well mowed and ensure there are no piles of rubble near the house.
Please respect snakes as an important part of our environment and part of what makes Australia such an amazing place to live. If you find a snake in your yard, snake catchers can safely relocate them away from your pets. You can find help to relocate snakes by googling snake catchers or snake removal for your local area. Never try to relocate a snake yourself if you haven’t been trained in the safe handling of snakes, as this can result in a hospital visit or death. Stay safe!
http://www.snakecatcherperth.com.au/snakes-perth.html
First Aid procedure for snake bites to your pet.
- Pets should be kept as quiet as possible, and veterinary attention should be sought immediately - even if your pet appears to have recovered from signs or is showing no signs.
- If your animal sustains a bite on a limb, a firm crêpe bandage can be applied to immobilise the limb and reduce the circulation of the venom.
- Do not attempt to pick up the snake - even if it appears dead. Snakebite identification should be left to the professionals. Snakes that appear dead may be alive and capable of striking, and it is possible to be envenomated by a dead snake if the fangs lacerate your skin during handling. Take note of the colour and pattern of the smoke to assist in snake identification.
Please download the First Aid for Pets app if you want more information on this or other first-aid techniques for your pet. It is free and available at - https://www.localvet.com.au/96B1A6D4ED1CE631403B215C76FBF39F063EC994/PetFirstAidApp.aspx