Can you spot these often-overlooked dangers lurking in your own backyard?
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With warmer weather coming and snakes becoming more active, pet owners and residents need to be on high alert for hidden backyard hazards that could be attracting venomous snakes.
Dr Liam Donaldson, a vet from Greencross Vets Hospital, has seen a concerning spike in dogs being bitten by snakes in recent weeks.
‘Keep the grass short,’ he told Yahoo News Australia. ‘Cut back shrubs and bushes…and especially check the backyard shed just in case there [are] any snakes that have been curled up over the winter.’
Long grass, overgrown bushes, and a backyard shed can entice snakes to the property.
Residents should consider these three dangers when trying to reduce the likelihood of interactions between snakes and pets.
‘Just before spring hits, or right now, is the best time to do a general clean-up,’ he said.
‘Obviously, be careful yourself too. Make sure everything is well cut back... we tend to find grass which is kept relatively short and tidy leaves less places for them [snakes] to hide.’
Vet reports up to five dogs are bitten by snakes daily
Dr Donaldson stated that his clinic, affiliated with the University of Melbourne in the city's southwest, treats up to five snake-bitten dogs daily, with 11 cases just last weekend.
‘With the warmer weather snakes are more active, especially in the last fortnight we've been absolutely inundated,’ he added.
Recently, the vet administered antivenom to a 10-year-old Chihuahua Pomeranian mix named Lily, who was bitten by a tiger snake, to save her life.
Due to an unexpected surge in snake bites, veterinarians have found themselves having to ‘rely on each other for resources’ when some clinics were caught unprepared.
Last week, Greencross Vets Hospital came to the rescue by sending life-saving vials to a Geelong clinic after it had completely run out of antivenom.
What to do if a snake bites your dog?
If you think your pet was bitten by a snake, go to the nearest emergency vet and notify them in advance so the team can prepare for your arrival.
The tiger snake ranks as the world's fourth most venomous snake and can induce complete paralysis, affecting the heart. Video source: Facebook (@untamed)
Dr Donaldson listed some typical signs of a snake bite in dogs:
In areas with high snake populations, veterinarians encourage dog owners to consider enrolling their pets in a snake avoidance course, similar to behavioural training.
These courses teach dogs how to stay away from snakes in case of an encounter.
Members, who among you have dogs and have had to deal with snake bites before? Please share your experiences in the comments below!
Dr Liam Donaldson, a vet from Greencross Vets Hospital, has seen a concerning spike in dogs being bitten by snakes in recent weeks.
‘Keep the grass short,’ he told Yahoo News Australia. ‘Cut back shrubs and bushes…and especially check the backyard shed just in case there [are] any snakes that have been curled up over the winter.’
In Australia, there are an estimated 60,000 cases of snake bites in dogs and cats annually, resulting in up to 15,000 pet fatalities. Image source: Pixabay
Residents should consider these three dangers when trying to reduce the likelihood of interactions between snakes and pets.
‘Just before spring hits, or right now, is the best time to do a general clean-up,’ he said.
‘Obviously, be careful yourself too. Make sure everything is well cut back... we tend to find grass which is kept relatively short and tidy leaves less places for them [snakes] to hide.’
Vet reports up to five dogs are bitten by snakes daily
Dr Donaldson stated that his clinic, affiliated with the University of Melbourne in the city's southwest, treats up to five snake-bitten dogs daily, with 11 cases just last weekend.
‘With the warmer weather snakes are more active, especially in the last fortnight we've been absolutely inundated,’ he added.
Recently, the vet administered antivenom to a 10-year-old Chihuahua Pomeranian mix named Lily, who was bitten by a tiger snake, to save her life.
Due to an unexpected surge in snake bites, veterinarians have found themselves having to ‘rely on each other for resources’ when some clinics were caught unprepared.
Last week, Greencross Vets Hospital came to the rescue by sending life-saving vials to a Geelong clinic after it had completely run out of antivenom.
What to do if a snake bites your dog?
If you think your pet was bitten by a snake, go to the nearest emergency vet and notify them in advance so the team can prepare for your arrival.
The tiger snake ranks as the world's fourth most venomous snake and can induce complete paralysis, affecting the heart. Video source: Facebook (@untamed)
Dr Donaldson listed some typical signs of a snake bite in dogs:
- Vomiting
- Collapsing
- Dilated pupils
- Wobbly walking/inability to walk
In areas with high snake populations, veterinarians encourage dog owners to consider enrolling their pets in a snake avoidance course, similar to behavioural training.
These courses teach dogs how to stay away from snakes in case of an encounter.
