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Dogs, Cats and Pets...and living in
the Sonoran Desert. Helpful Articles compiled for my customers with pets
by Jodie Birch.
One of the unpleasant aspects of desert living is that several hundred
Tucson-area dogs are bitten by rattlesnakes each year. Luckily, most victims
will survive the ordeal, but many will suffer permanent tissue damage — and
some will die.
When a dog is bitten, rapid swelling takes place within the first few minutes
as the enzymes in the venom start to digest tissue at the bite location. Your
dog’s treatment may include intravenous fluids and treatment for shock and
pain; the dog may also require antivenin injections and medication for
infection. Most animals will survive with quick treatment, but the best remedy
for snakebite is prevention.
Snakebite tragedies are avoidable and pet owners are encouraged to follow
these steps to keep their dogs safe from harm:
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A sturdy leash and your
vigilance are the best ways to ensure your pet’s safety. Loose dogs are in
danger of being bitten, and so are you if your dog disturbs a snake.
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When walking your dog,
stay on open paths or trails where snakes can be more easily seen.
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Avoid nighttime walks in
desert areas, as rattlesnakes are nocturnal during most of the year.
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If you should hear a
rattlesnake, be sure to keep your dog close to you; move away from the snake
as soon as you visually determine its location.
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Should your dog seem to
be unusually interested in something hidden in the brush, quickly back off
until you know what it is.
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Don’t allow dogs to
explore holes in the ground or dig under logs, flat rocks or other debris
where snakes may be hidden. Keep your yard clean and free of these potential
hiding places to help discourage the presence of snakes.
Should a snake bite your
pet, follow these steps:
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Try to identify the snake
by making note of its size, color pattern, and the presence or absence of a
rattle at the end of the tail.
-
Check your dog thoroughly
for bite marks — more than one wound may be present.
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If your dog is bitten on
a leg, snugly wrap a constricting band on the affected limb at a level just
above the bite wound (on the body side of the wound). This band could be
fashioned of a shirtsleeve or other fabric, and should be snug, but not
excessively tight.
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Keep the dog as quiet as
possible and immediately transport it to your emergency
veterinarian-hospital. (From article at the Humane Society of Southern
Arizona web page.)
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