As a pet owner, there are few things scarier or more stressful than your dog having a run-in with a rattlesnake. Arizona is home to numerous species of rattlesnakes, among other dangerous reptiles, that are highly venomous and active during the warmer months of the year. These snakes can be found all over, on hiking trails, in backyards, in parking lots, and even in homes!
Our team has recently seen an uptick in snakebite cases at our clinic, reminding us just how common and dangerous these encounters can be for Tucson residents and their pets. Whether your dog spends a lot or a little time outside, it’s crucial to remember that they can be surprised by a snake at any time.
To help you and your dog stay as safe as possible and know exactly what to do in the event of a dog snake bite, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about rattlesnake bites in dogs, including common bite symptoms, the effects of venom on a dog, and how your veterinarian will administer care.
What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit By a Rattlesnake
The most important thing for pet owners to know before they read any further is that dog rattlesnake bites are always an emergency. No matter what blogs online or AI assistants may tell you, there is no such thing as a dog snake bite home treatment. No amount of at-home care or scouring the internet for advice will be an adequate substitute for prompt, professional veterinary care.
If you have just witnessed your dog being bitten by a rattlesnake, call your veterinarian immediately and confirm that they have antivenom at their clinic. In situations concerning dogs bitten by rattlesnakes, time is of the essence, and the sooner you get your dog to the veterinarian, the higher the likelihood of a positive recovery outcome.
Owners should never attempt to suck out the venom, use a tourniquet, use ice or incise the wound. All of these actions will only delay your dog receiving necessary professional help, and can even potentially lead to exacerbation of symptoms and more unnecessary pain and stress for your dog.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Dog Snake Bite
Panic can quickly set in for owners if their dog has been bitten by a rattlesnake or other type of snake, so if you live in an area with venomous snakes, it’s important to have a plan of action in place well before a snake bite even happens. If your dog has been bitten by a snake, take a deep breath and follow these steps:
- Move your dog away from the snake and into a safe area. Try to stay calm and keep your dog from moving too much to prevent further injury or spread of the venom. Do not try to capture or identify the snake. Focus on getting your dog medical attention.
- Call your veterinarian or a local emergency animal hospital and let them know your dog has been bitten by a snake and ask if they have antivenom available. Give your veterinarian as much information as possible, including your dog’s symptoms and when you anticipate arriving at the hospital. If you know what type of snake bit your dog, share that information with the veterinary care team to help them prepare.
- Keep the site of the bite lower than the heart to slow the spread of the venom while you safely make your way to the veterinary hospital.
- Once you’ve arrived at the vet, let the professionals take over. If you’re using an emergency hospital or clinic other than your family veterinarian, don’t be afraid to advocate for your dog to receive prompt and appropriate care.
Can a Dog Survive a Snake Bite Without Treatment?
In my career, I have not seen a dog or cat survive a rattlesnake bite without some method of treatment or medical intervention, so getting your pet to a trusted veterinarian as soon as possible is crucial for good recovery outcomes.
In untreated animals (like those bitten in the wild), severe tissue damage can occur in the areas surrounding a bite, depending on the type of venom. This can lead to large wounds, tissue death (necrosis), and prolonged healing, often through secondary intention, which occurs when wounds heal slowly from the inside out. While some animals may survive a dry bite (where little or no venom is injected), there is still a high risk of infection.
Larger dogs may sometimes survive less severe envenomations simply due to their size and the amount of venom delivered. However, bites from highly venomous snakes like the Mojave rattlesnake are especially dangerous, and survival without treatment is extremely unlikely.
How Rattlesnake Venom Affects Dogs
Rattlesnake venom is complex and contains about 15 different proteins, including enzymes and several types of toxins. The mechanisms of action, or the way the venom affects your individual dog, depend on which toxins are injected via the bite.
There are two main types of venom toxins, neurotoxic and hemotoxic venoms, more commonly known as Type A and Type B, respectively.
- Type A toxin is highly neurotoxic, which means it attacks the nervous system. It can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, incoordination (ataxia), paralysis, and even breathing difficulties.
- Type B toxin is more commonly found in other rattlesnake species and is about 10 times less toxic than Type A. It affects the circulatory system, damaging blood vessels, destroying red blood cells, and interfering with blood clotting processes within the body. It can also lead to tissue death (necrosis) around the bite.
Some snakes, like the Mojave rattlesnake, which is common in Arizona, can carry both types of toxins within their venom, making them especially dangerous for both people and pets. Interestingly, bites containing Type A toxin may cause less immediate pain than Type B bites, which can mislead pet owners into thinking the situation is less serious. However, symptoms from Type A toxin may take longer to appear and can progress quietly before becoming severe, so it’s important to get your dog immediate medical attention following any type of snake bite, even if their symptoms aren’t appearing or progressing rapidly.
In many cases, the average pet owner may not be able to identify individual breeds of snakes and distinguish between venomous and non-venomous varieties. If your dog has been bitten by any type of snake, taking them to the vet as soon as possible will always be the best course of action. Even if your dog was bitten by a non-venomous snake or venom was not injected in what is known as a “dry bite,” it’s always better to be safe than sorry and have a veterinarian assess the wound and prescribe antibiotics or pain relief medications if necessary.
Common Dog Snake Bite Symptoms
Dog snake bite symptoms are typically very noticeable and will progress rather rapidly after the initial bite. Owners whose dogs have been bitten by a snake can expect to see:
- Swelling at the bite site
- Pain and tenderness in the affected area or limb
- Puncture wounds
- Bruising or discoloration around the wound
- Lethargy or weakness
- Drooling or panting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trembling or twitching
- Collapse or difficulty standing (in more serious cases)
- Increased heart rate
- Labored breathing
However, because rattlesnakes are a distinct type of pit viper that have venom that destroys tissue and disturbs proper blood clotting functions, dogs that have been specifically bitten by a rattlesnake may exhibit more severe symptoms, including:
- Sudden, painful swelling (especially on the face, neck, or limbs)
- Severe tissue damage or necrosis near the bite wound
- Darkening of the skin surrounding the bite or bloody discharge from the wound
- Weak pulse or low blood pressure
- Shock, observable through pale gums, cold limbs, or rapid breathing
- Neurological signs like confusion or ataxia
What Does a Snake Bite Look Like on a Dog?
If you didn’t directly witness your dog being bitten by a snake, understanding what snake bites look like can help you identify them quickly and get your dog the medical attention they need sooner.
The most notable visual sign that can help you confirm a dog snake bite is the puncture wounds left behind by a snake’s fangs. Puncture wounds will appear as evenly spaced holes on a dog’s skin at the site of the bite, and may swell or expel blood or discharge. These wounds can sometimes be tricky to spot through a dog’s fur or if swelling has become significant enough to obscure them.
Depending on the type of venom injected into a dog through the bite, you may also observe a large area of skin that appears to be grayish in color and may look as if it is dying. This is a surefire sign that your dog has been bitten and should receive medical attention ASAP to prevent further damage and complications.
How Your Veterinarian Will Treat a Dog Snake Bite
Veterinarians will treat snake bites – especially rattlesnake bites – as a true medical emergency. After your dog is brought in, your veterinarian will assess their overall state and begin the work to stabilize their condition. Vital signs, like heart rate, breathing, and gum color will be assessed to help determine your dog’s condition and the severity of their reaction to the venom.
Depending on the severity of the case, blood work may also be done early on to help the veterinary team understand the extent to which the venom has affected your dog’s body. Blood clotting ability, organ function, and hydration are all common things that blood work may be used to evaluate following a snake bite.
Antivenom
While often quite expensive, antivenom is considered the most effective treatment available for venom neutralization in both people and animals. It works best when administered as soon as possible, but data has shown that antivenom can be effective even hours after a dog has been bitten and injected with venom.
Antivenom works by neutralizing the snake’s venom within the body’s system and can help reduce swelling, pain, tissue damage, and overall risk of death. It is delivered to dogs intravenously via pre-dosed vials. Some dogs may only need one vial of antivenom, while others may require multiple doses; your veterinarian will monitor your dog closely to determine how much antivenom is needed.
While not every veterinary clinic carries antivenom, most can still provide critical supportive care to improve your dog’s chances of survival. This may include antibiotics to prevent infection, wound cleaning and debridement, and pain management.
Pain Management
Being bitten by a snake is a painful experience for a dog, and the accompanying tissue damage and swelling caused by venom can often make pain more intense. While a veterinarian is caring for your dog, they will likely use pain medications to keep your dog comfortable and ease the pain.
Additional medications may also be prescribed for your dog’s recovery period following their release from the veterinary hospital. Be sure to only use pain relief medication as prescribed by your veterinarian to avoid any unnecessary complications.
Wound Care
Venom isn’t the only concern that veterinarians will manage after a snake bite in dogs. The overall state of the puncture wound may warrant additional care beyond basic cleaning and debridement. If a veterinarian is concerned about a secondary infection, antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent further health complications or pain for the dog.
Monitoring of Symptoms
Once antivenom and other care techniques have been administered, your veterinarian will focus primarily on monitoring your dog’s symptoms and overall status. During their time at the veterinary hospital, your dog will be monitored for:
- Shock
- Blood clotting disorders
- Organ failure
- Neurologic symptoms
What About Cats and Rattlesnake Bites?
For owners looking for specific information on a cat that may have been bitten by a rattlesnake or other type of snake, the good news is that the recommended protocol for responding to a cat bitten by a snake is largely the same as it is for dogs.
The most notable differences pet owners should keep in mind are the variances in average sizes between cats and dogs. Generally, the average house cat weighs between eight and ten pounds, with some breeds being a little smaller or larger. In comparison, dogs can weigh anywhere from only a few pounds to beyond a hundred pounds, creating potential differences in how they are affected by snake bites. Because cats are generally smaller and have less body mass, snake bites can affect them more severely and rapidly than large dogs, making swift intervention even more crucial.
If you live in an area where rattlesnakes and other breeds of venomous snakes are common, doing your part to keep your pets away from snakes can be a valuable step in preventing snakebite incidents from occurring. If possible, we recommend keeping your yard free of areas where snakes may like to hide, monitoring your pet closely whenever they are outside, and having a plan of action ready in the event that your pet does have a run-in with a snake.
If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (520) 376-2609, or you can email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.