As the weather warms up, snakes are becoming active again across Dapto and the Illawarra escarpment, and every year our emergency line gets calls from understandably panicked owners whose dog or cat has had a close encounter. Red-bellied black snakes and eastern brown snakes are both common in our area, and a bite from either is a genuine emergency. Knowing what to do (and what not to do) in the first few minutes can make a real difference to the outcome.
Recognising a Snake Bite
Bite marks are often hidden under fur and easy to miss, so it is the symptoms that usually give the game away. Watch for:
- Sudden weakness or collapse, sometimes followed by an apparent “recovery” that is temporary
- Dilated pupils or a vacant, glassy look
- Vomiting, drooling, or trembling
- Wobbliness in the back legs, progressing to difficulty standing or breathing
Symptoms can appear within minutes or be delayed for several hours, so a witnessed encounter with a snake is reason enough to act, even if your pet seems fine.
What to Do
- Keep your pet as still and calm as possible. Carry them rather than letting them walk, since movement pumps venom through the lymphatic system faster.
- If the bite is on a leg, apply a firm pressure bandage over the bite site and as much of the limb as you can, similar to the human pressure immobilisation technique.
- Call us (or your nearest emergency vet if we are closed) on your way in, so the team can be ready the moment you arrive.
- Get to the vet immediately. Antivenom works best, and is most likely to be available, the earlier treatment starts.
What NOT to Do
- Do not wash the bite site. Traces of venom left on the skin can help confirm which snake was involved.
- Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck out venom. These old methods do not work and can cause additional harm.
- Do not apply ice or a tight tourniquet. A firm, even pressure bandage is safe; a tourniquet is not.
- Do not try to catch, kill, or corner the snake to identify it. A photo from a safe distance is the most worth risking.
- Do not wait to “see if symptoms develop.” By the time obvious signs appear, precious time has already been lost.
Be Prepared Before It Happens
Save our number in your phone now, along with the details of the nearest after-hours emergency centre for the times we are closed. In a snake bite emergency, not having to search for a phone number is one less delay that could matter.
For further reading, the Animal Poisons Helpline has a detailed breakdown of snake bite symptoms and first aid in pets.
Companion Animal Veterinary Hospital
Address: 38 Baan Baan St, Dapto NSW 2530
Independently owned since 2009.
Fear Free Accredited • Gold Level Cat Friendly Clinic.
