Preventing/Treating Snake Bites

Australia is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, and these hibernating reptiles are at their deadliest around the start of summer. Having recently woken from a long sleep, their venom glands are generally fuller at this time of year and their bites tend to be much more severe. Extra vigilance is therefore required where all pets are concerned, but particularly with cats whose natural hunting instinct means they can often see snakes as prey, but can themselves end up as the victims.

Tiger snakes and brown snakes are a particular threat and while cats fare better than dogs once bitten due to a kind of in-built resistance to the venom, prevention is still the best option, particularly because anti-venoms are very expensive. Dr Mark Davis from the University of Melbourne’s emergency clinic says that the best defence is to not let your cat walk in long grass, particularly near water. In addition, you should take steps to keep snakes out of your yard by:

• Keeping the grass cut and plants pruned back;
• Regularly picking up fallen fruit to discourage rodents, who would encourage snakes;
• Clearing away any debris, such as old bricks;
• Making sure a wood pile (if you have to have one) is kept away from the house and out of reach of cats (and children);
• Not leaving containers of water lying around;
• Not having a rockery.

Signs of snake bite

The type of snake, the amount of venom injected and the site of the bite will all be in a factor in the sort of reaction your cat has to a bite. Cats are generally bitten around the head and legs, while the closer the bite is to the heart the more urgency there is since the venom is then absorbed more quickly into the cat’s system. According to Vetwest Animal Hospitals in WA, warning signs include:

• Sudden weakness followed by collapse;
• Shaking or muscle twitches;
• Vomiting;
• Dilated, unresponsive pupils;
• Paralysis and blood in the urine (later stages).

If you think your cat has been bitten, keep her as still and quiet as possible (with the bitten area lower than the heart), apply a pressure bandage between the bite and the heart, if possible, and get her to a vet’s. Do not apply a tourniquet, attempt to suck out the venom or cut the bitten area, or allow your cat to walk.

The vet will examine your cat, possibly taking a blood or urine sample to confirm that she has been bitten and by what type of snake. Then, intravenous fluids and the administration of anti-venom (sometimes accompanied by antihistamines and other drugs) generally follows.

Prompt veterinary attention generally yields positive results, with around 80 per cent of bitten pets recovering. But do not be tempted to catch or kill the snake. Snakes are protected throughout Australia and you also run the risk of getting bitten yourself.

Image from Ilikethenight