If you live in a rural area or mildly developed suburban area, there’s a significant chance that your dog will encounter a poisonous snake. Even worse, there’s an equally frightening chance that a poisonous snake will bite your dog. Here’s how to rescue a bitten canine and prevent a dog snake bite in the future.

Poisonous Snakes and Their Effects

Keep in mind that the severity of a poisonous snake bite depends on (1) the snake type, (2) snake’s age, (3) dog size, (4) the area affected, (5) the depth of the bite, and (6) the amount of injected poison. Of all the poisonous snakes out there, rattlesnakes are the most notorious for biting dogs. Other dog biters include the less severe (but equally frightening) water moccasins, copperheads, and coral snakes. Although a water moccasin and copperhead snake bite hurts like crazy, it isn’t as fatal as other snake bites. A coral snake bite for instance will kill a small dog, but a bite from one of the others may not.

Rescue

Unlike with humans, you’re cautioned against trying to rescue the dog yourself. The best thing that you can do for a dog snake bite is rush the dog to the nearest veterinarian. Time is very important and the less time it takes to get the dog to a vet, the better. Knowing what kind of snake bit the dog is just as important as well since that knowledge will determine how long the dog should survive from the time it was bitten to the time it arrived at the vet.

Prevention

To prevent snake bites, don’t allow your dog to roam about a wilderness area without a leash. Keep him out of holes and don’t allow him to topple rocks or dig under them. You must additionally prevent your dog from harassing wildlife.