The question of Snake bites to Dogs often comes up on our Canine First Responder Courses so we have researched the subject and posted the following article.

How harmful are adders? The adder is the only British venomous snake, a fact which has earned it a dubious public image. Bites from adders are very rare, and the vast majority occur when a snake is picked up. Most reactions to adder bites are mild, but any bite should be regarded as potentially serious and immediate medical advice should be sought. In the last century, 12 human deaths in Britain have been attributed to adder bites (this compares with several deaths every year due to insect stings).

Bites to cats and dogs do occur, but rarely prove fatal. Vets and doctors in areas where adders occur are aware of the treatment required in handling bite cases, and effective treatment is now well understood.

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Male Adder

Female Adder

 


Comments

06/03/2012 21:12

Hi Mike and All
Although many dogs survive snake bites, I lost my German Shepherd Dog (5 yrs old) as a direct result of getting bitten by an adder last year. It was the end of the summer and we were walking a wide path through woodland. The snake was out sunbathing and my dog thought it was a stick, before I could stop her she had been bitten twice, once on the face and once on the leg. Luckily I saw this and took her straight to the vet. She was on fluids (the risk is kidney failure) and spent 4 days in hospital. We thought all was OK then 2 months later she developed a gastric bug which because her kidneys had been affected by the snake venom, she suffered kidney failure and was dead within 48 hours. So please be vigilant.

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15/03/2012 12:02

Hi Helen

Thanks for sharing that word of warning.

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