Copperheads and Rattlers

Spring is around the corner and the hibernating creatures will be awakening soon. In the ER, our thoughts go to snakes. There are three types of venomous snakes in Virginia, all pit vipers. This family of snakes have 2 small heat sensitive pits between its eyes and nose. The snake uses these to sense the heat of potential prey. This adaptation allows pit vipers to hunt successfully in complete darkness.

Copperheads are the most populous throughout the state of Virginia, so the majority of bites come from this species. Timber rattlesnakes prefer the higher elevations of mountainous regions. These snakes typically hibernate from October to May, often in dens shared with other snakes. Cottonmouths, or water moccasins, prefer lots of water and are common in the Tidewater area of southeastern Virginia. For more information about all snakes in the Commonwealth, refer to the Virginia Herpetological Society website.

Regardless of which of these venomous snakes bit your dog, the treatment recommendations are the same. Get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The timely administration of antivenin is the only way to significantly reduce the effects of the snake venom. Not all veterinarians carry antivenin, more likely you will find it stocked in an emergency clinic. Call first so you are not driving around unnecessarily.

Venomous snake bites are very painful and usually start swelling right away. Anything less than opioid pain medication is ineffective against the pain of snake bites. Do NOT give any human pain medications! These are often toxic to our pets.

Other recommendations given historically, like applying ice or bandaging, have been shown to be ineffective and potentially harmful. Medication like antihistamines and antibiotics do not affect snake venom or its effects on the dog's body in any way. Dogs who are at highest risk for developing severe reactions to the snake venom are small dogs, very young dogs, old or debilitated dogs and brachycephalic, or flat faced, dogs.

I do not recommend trying to identify or catch the snake because you are putting yourself at risk doing so. A freshly killed snake can still envenomate a person. The best first aid in this situation is to get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a snake but you are not seeing the pain and swelling, the bite wound should still be assessed by a veterinarian. Sometimes a venomous snake will bite but not inject venom, known as a "dry bite". Also, non-venomous snakes will bite in self-defense and sometimes these bite wounds get infected.

Antivenins are developed according to the family of snakes, in this case Crotalidae or pit vipers, so it will work for either copperhead, rattlesnake or cottonmouth bites. Antivenin must be delivered slowly intravenously over at least an hour. Other current treatment recommendations include intravenous fluid therapy, opioid pain medications and blood work to monitor for the venom's effects. Dogs being treated for venomous snake bites are typically hospitalized for 8-48 hours. This treatment will be expensive so having pet insurance or Care Credit may be helpful.

Untreated venomous snake bites lead to extensive tissue damage. These pets develop severe dark bruising and some of the tissue will die and slough away. Pets listed as high risk above may die.

While there isn't much you can do about snakes in wild areas, you can take steps to keep them out of your home and yard.

1. Carefully examine the foundation and ground level of your house and all other outbuildings on the property for holes, gaps or other openings that a snake could slither through. Try to seal them up if possible.

2. Check for basement doors and windows that don't close properly and get them fixed.

3. Check the steps of your porch or deck and the area where it connects to your home.

4. Remove piles of rocks, wood or other debris.

5. Cut long grass and undergrowth and keep it trimmed.

Most importantly, DON'T PANIC!

With timely treatment, most dogs survive their snake bites without long term effects.