COUNTY Durham vets are urging dog owners to be extra vigilant after a much-loved family pet was bitten by an adder while out on a countryside walk.
Button, a three-year-old chocolate Sprocker Spaniel, spent a night in a veterinary hospital and required several days of pain relief after she was bitten on the lip, close to her whiskers.
Button had been enjoying a walk along Waskerley Way in County Durham with her owners, Belinda and Ronnie Seymour, from Consett, when she was bitten by the venomous snake. Adders, Britain’s only native venomous snake, are recognisable by the distinctive dark zig-zag pattern running along their backs. They are commonly found in heathland and moorland, rough grassland, sand dunes and coastal habitats, bracken, gorse and dense bushes and scrubland.
Within moments of the bite, Button began drooling heavily, became lethargic and her face rapidly started to swell. As the incident occurred out of hours on a Sunday, her owners rushed her for emergency veterinary treatment at Westway Vets’ 24-hour hospital in West Road, Newcastle.
Button received intravenous fluids, pain relief and antihistamines, and remained overnight for observation and ongoing care.
Following her discharge, she was transferred into the care of her regular veterinary practice, Prince Bishop Vets in Leadgate, Consett, where she underwent further treatment and continued pain management, as swelling to her face, neck and chest remained severe.
Owner Belinda said: “We’d just set off on our walk when Button saw something. My husband saw the snake and pulled her away but we can only assume she was bitten. We scooped her up and got her to an emergency vet as soon as we could.
“At this stage we couldn’t see bite marks so there was always the possibility she had been stung by an insect, but once the swelling went down you could see the puncture marks. We got such a shock, but she’s absolutely fine now and back to her normal self.”
Alice Brazier, a vet Prince Bishop Vets who treated Button, is warning owners to be extra-cautious when out walking their dog this summer as adders are more active in warmer weather.
Alice said: “Signs of an adder bite include sudden swelling around the bite site, pain, excessive drooling, lethargy, limping, vomiting or collapse. Most bites occur on a dog’s face or legs, as these are the areas most likely to be targeted if they are investigating a snake.
“Adder bites are really nasty for dogs and poor Button was very sore and swollen for several days. If you think your dog may have been bitten, it is important to get to a vet for emergency treatment.”
With many people enjoying summer walks with their dogs, Prince Bishop Vets has issued the following advice to owners if they think their pet has been bitten by an adder:
- Stay calm and keep your dog as still as possible. Limiting movement can help slow the spread of venom through the body.
- Carry your dog if you can. If your dog is too large to carry, keep them on a short lead and walk them slowly to the car.
- Contact your veterinary practice straight away. If your usual practice is closed, call the nearest emergency or out-of-hours veterinary service to let them know you are on your way.
- Do not attempt first aid such as cutting the wound, sucking out the venom or applying a tourniquet. These methods are ineffective and can make the injury worse.
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake. If it is safe to do so, take a photo from a distance to help with identification, but never put yourself at risk.
Article by Amanda Little, PR & Communications Director, email: [email protected]