Protecting our pets from
venomous snakebites

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Dogs are at high risk for snakebite because their curiosity often leads them to explore brush and dense undergrowth where snakes live. In the United States, an estimated 50,000 dogs are bitten by venomous snakes each year,1-2 with a fatality rate of about 5%.3-5 Among dogs that survive, the treatment is costly and recovery can be lengthy.6-7 Risk of fatality from snakebite is impacted by a dog’s size, snake species and bite location.5 Higher fatality rates occur for dogs bitten on the tongue or chest and dogs with long delays between bite and veterinary treatment.5

Citations

  1. Johnston, A.N. and Schmidt, J.O., 2001. The effect of Africanized honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on the pet population of Tucson: a case study. American Entomologist, 47(2), pp.98-103.
  2. Peterson, M.E., 2006. Snake bite: pit vipers. Clinical techniques in small animal practice, 21(4), pp.174-182.
  3. Bassett TE, Schaer M. A review of 95 pit viper envenomations in Northcentral Florida (2018-2020). Toxicon. 2023;229:107134. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2023.107134
  4. Witsil AJ, Wells RJ, Woods C, Rao S. 272 cases of rattlesnake envenomation in dogs: Demographics and treatment including safety of F(ab')2 antivenom use in 236 patients. Toxicon. 2015;105:19-26. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.08.028
  1. Carotenuto SE, Bergman PJ, Ray JR, McKee T. Retrospective comparison of three antivenoms for the treatment of dogs with crotalid envenomation. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2021;259(5):503-509. doi:10.2460/javma.259.5.503
  2. Schaer M. Persistent pit viper envenomation in three dogs. Toxicon. 2019;166:83-87. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.05.013
  3. Schaer M, Buckley GJ, Conner BJ, et al. Severe Pit Viper Envenomation with Extended Clinical Signs and Treatment Complications in a Dog. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2015;51(5):329-337. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6234