Managing Snake bites in greyhounds

If you suspect a snake bite, keep your dog calm, seek urgent veterinary advice –call ahead to ensure the practice has antivenin.
Snakes are most active during their breeding season from October to mid-November.

However, once the weather starts to warm up as soon as August, snakes will be on the move seeking food, water, and shelter.

While snakes are not actively seeking out you or your greyhounds, they can pose a risk of injury or even death.

Snakes usually prefer to retreat when disturbed, however if they are threatened, snakes can become defensive and bites can occur when they are confronted.

Warnings there could be snakes active in your yard:

  • Noisy birds – heightened activity can be an early warning sign
  • Dog behaviour – paying particular attention to a specific place in the yard

If your greyhound dies from a snake bite or you suspect snake bite as the cause of death, you must seek confirmation from a veterinarian and a death certificate from a veterinarian.

Protecting your greyhound from snake bites

It is difficult to ensure your property is 100% snake proof. Snakes are very good at finding ways to get through, under or over obstacles like fences.

With ongoing dry and hot conditions, snakes will seek food sources and enter suburban yards.

Minimising the known habitats of snakes will help to reduce the risk.

Practical tips:

  • Keep bushy areas cleared and mowed
  • Mow lawns and keep grass away from fence lines
  • Remove potential food sources that bring in rats and mice
  • Remove piles of wood and junk piles
  • Empty pot plants of water
  • Empty water features
  • Regularly check the wire mesh used for fencing and kennels
  • Consider installing mesh below ground level or wire mesh with a smaller gauge size.

Snakes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. It is an offence to kill, injure or take snakes from the wild.

If you find a snake in your yard, contact a licensed snake catcher.

How can I tell if my dog has been bitten?

A dog’s reaction, signs, or symptoms from a snake bite can be varied and may not be clinically significant for up to 24 hours after the bite.

If you suspect a snake bite, keep your dog calm, seek immediate veterinary advice –call ahead to ensure the practise has antivenin.

If safe to do so, take a photograph of the snake to help identify the correct antivenin.

Signs and symptoms

  • weakness or severe lethargy
  • collapse or paralysis
  • shaking or twitching
  • dilated pupils or difficulty blinking
  • vomiting
  • loss of bladder or bowel control
  • blood in the urine or from the wound site
  • difficulty walking
  • drooling or rapid and shallow breathing

First aid tips

  • Keep your dog calm
  • Do not wash the wound
  • Apply a firm bandage above and below, and over the bite site – this slows the flow of venom to the dog’s heart – write the time on the bandage
  • If the bite is on the face or neck, remove the dog’s collar as the area may swell
  • Attempt to reduce your dog’s movement and activity

Recovery from snake bite can be slow. Your veterinarian will provide the best recovery and treatment options.