Signs of Venomous Snakebite in Dogs

By Caroline Coile, PhD

From the American Kennel Club

Besides possible wounds, dogs can exhibit several other signs of snakebite. Venomous snakebites are extremely painful. While some dogs are very stoic and will hide their pain, others may react by crying and hiding. Very often they will vomit and have diarrhea soon after the bite. Swelling may appear within minutes, followed by bruising. But either could also come on more slowly.

Can I Treat My Dog’s Venomous Snakebite With First Aid?

No. If your dog was bitten by a venomous snake, the only thing you can do is remove the dog’s collar, keep your dog calm, and head to the closest emergency vet that has antivenom. If you are hiking, carry your dog to your car if you’re able to. If possible, have somebody meet you along the trail to pick you up.

If you saw a common non-venomous snake (like a garter snake or a ribbon snake) bite your dog, you should still contact your vet, as even non-venomous snake bites can become infected if left untreated. If you’re unsure at all if the snake was venomous, you should contact your vet immediately.

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For more information, visit akc.org