Snake Bite season has begun
It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to warm up, snakes are waking from hibernation and we have already seen our first snake bite cases of the warmer season here at Drovers. It is very important to obtain veterinary attention if your pet has been bitten by a snake. The following information has been compiled to assist pet owners who have any concerns about snake bite.
How do I tell that my pet has been bitten by a snake?
Unless you find direct evidence that a snake and your pet have been in contact (for example seeing them together, or the pet bringing the snake home) it can be very hard to say for sure that there has been a snake bite. Bite marks are rarely identified.
Tell-tale signs of envenomation vary from pet to pet, and also depend on the type of snake and the amount of venom delivered in the bite. However there are some characteristic signs to look out for, which may include any or all of the following:
- Lethargy
- Collapse
- Weakness or paralysis of the back legs
- Nervous signs such as shaking, twitching and tremoring
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting and defecation
- Fixed, dilated pupils, especially in cats
- Blood in the urine and/or brown urine
- Death may occur due to paralysis of the respiratory system
Note that signs of snake bite can be seen as soon as immediately after being bitten but may also take hours to occur.
What to do if you suspect snake bite
If you suspect snake bite, even if there are no signs, please bring your pet to the clinic for examination. Diagnostic tests may be required. Bitten animals can rapidly deteriorate therefore the sooner they are examined and treatment commenced, the better their chance of survival. Note that, if the pet collapses suddenly following close contact with a snake, then apparently recovers, it is vital that the pet is given veterinary attention as these pets are at high risk of fatal collapse later on. Please note that there is no need to try to capture the snake for identification. This is because the type of anti venom used as treatment will cover against most brown snakes and tiger snakes. Trying to catch a snake is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk. Even dead snakes are potentially dangerous to handle as the venom glands may still contain fatal amounts of venom.
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Although chocolate may be one of your favourite treats, never feed chocolate to your pet. It is poisonous for them! It contains substances called theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthine alkaloids) which are also contained in coffee, tea and some over-the-counter stimulants.
Chocolate poisoning is most commonly seen in dogs because of their habit to ingest food rapidly and they often have a “sweet tooth”. We see a higher incidence in puppies and young dogs, probably because they tend to ingest large amounts of unusual foods.
Chocolate poisoning can also affect cats, birds, rodents and reptiles however we see these cases much less frequently.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
The toxins in chocolate can affect you pet’s digestive system, nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Digestive system
- Vomiting & diarrhoea (2-4 hours after ingestion)
Nervous System
- Excitation/restlessness (increased body temperature, alertness)
- Muscle rigidity & tremors
- Seizures
Cardiovascular
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced blood pressure (hypotension)
- Progresses to cardiac failure leading to weakness, coma and death can occur within 12-36 hours after ingestion.
The toxins are found in the highest concentration in cooking chocolate and dark chocolate, and there are lesser amounts in milk chocolate. There is almost no toxins are found in white chocolate.
Diagnosis
Chocolate poisoning can look similar to many poisonings or other conditions. Serious poisonings such as that caused by strychnine, amphetamines, pesticides, and some rodenticides can cause similar signs.
If you know your pet has eaten chocolate, contact us immediately, especially if your pet is showing any of the symptoms above. If possible, bring any vomit to the clinic as well, since this may aid in rapid identification of the toxic substance. Your veterinarian will need to examine your dog's nervous system and cardiac function carefully. He/she may want to run some blood tests to check for blood sugar levels and rule out other diseases. Since this poisoning progresses rapidly, signs may need to be treated symptomatically until a laboratory diagnosis is confirmed.
Treatment
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Your veterinarian may use drugs to induce vomiting if the chocolate was consumed within the previous 2 - 4 hours or they may even need to administer a general anaesthetic in order to pass a tube into the stomach to wash
Once the chocolate is out activated charcoal treatment may be given to prevent any toxins remaining from being absorbed.
Pets that show more severe symptoms may need more specific medications in order to control the seizures and to prevent heart failure.
The expected course of chocolate poisoning is 12 to 36 hours depending on the dosage and effectiveness of treatment. Prognosis is good if the chocolate is removed within 2 to 4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis is guarded in animals with advanced signs such as seizures and serious heart dysfunction. So, please remember to keep your chocolates, cakes and chocolate-coated goodies safely away from your pets. Stick to healthy treats if you want to reward your special furry or feathered friend.
Have more questions?
Our state-of-the-art facility offers separate consultation rooms for dogs and cats, a fully equipped in-house laboratory, and specialised suites for surgery and dental care. For those tender moments, our uniquely designed Grief.
