CANINE FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY CARE

By: Dr. Mike Lappin, DVM

SNAKES ***IDENTIFY THE OFFENDING REPTILE IF POSSIBLE***

Non-poisonous:
Bite wound is usually multi-toothed and painless and usually appears superficial

First Aid Treatment:
1. Clip hair, clean wound with betadine type soap
2. Apply dry sterile bandage
3. Seek veterinary help (not an emergency) for antibiotic treatment. Snakes have extensive
bacterial flora in their mouths!
4. Observe animal closely for 6 hours, especially if the species of snake is unknown

Poisonous:
There are 3 groups of venomous snakes in North America -- Pit vipers, coral snakes, and colubrids. All are dangerous - lethality is dependent upon toxicity and amount of venom, size and health of victim, time delay between evenomation and medical intervention.

Pit Viper includes:
Water Moccasin, Cottonmouth, Copperhead, and Rattlesnake

Characterized by:
Deep pit located between the eye and nostril, elliptical pupils, retractable front fangs

First Aid Treatment:
1. Get the snake off! Pry it or burn it.
2. Keep animal calm because high heart rate will speed the flow of venom
3. If bite is on a limb, apply a tourniquet 2 - 3 inches above the bite
4. Should be able to insert 1 finger between tourniquet and animal's skin
5. If leg swells, loosen the tourniquet
6. Cut 1/2 inch through each puncture
7. Flush wound and squeeze
8. Clean with betadine and lots of water
9. Cold pack (ice)
10. Transport ASAP
11. If bite is not on a limb keep animal calm, cold pack and transport
12. Animal may develop respiratory distress or digestive upset and may become depressed,
paralyzed, comatose or may even die en route