Warmer weather brings snake bite risks for pets

JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – As the weather gets warmer, pet owners need to know the dangers to help protect their pets.

Spring and summer are some of the most popular seasons for snakes and when pet owners walk their animals along natural areas, the risk of being bitten rises.

Snake bites can happen quickly and one of the most important things you can do to save your pet is get them to a vet as quickly as possible.

“They can be life threatening, especially being bit on the nose. Any short nosed dogs are more at risk, because their breathing can be affected worse, and that swelling can cause a lot of damage and issues, and typically, that swelling can go down to their throat, and cause a lot of problems with them breathing,” said Dr. Whitney Jones, a veterinarian in Bolivar.

Staying calm and keeping yourself as well as any other pets that may be with you safe is also important.

Tennessee has a few snakes that are considered venomous and the ones to really look out for are copperheads.

“Keep your pets out of the woods, keep to marked paths, try and stay out of heavily wooded areas and just keep a close eye on your pet. If you do think that they’ve gotten bit by a snake, or you’ve seen it, if you can take a picture of the snake, or describe its markings, that helps us too, to determine whether or not the antivenom is needed,” Jones said.

The size of your pet may impact the severity of the bite as well as the amount of venom and the location of the bite.

Snakes are often protected by law, so if you kill one you could face serious fines or other penalties. Pet owners should watch unleashed animals closely if they run free in your yard.