Fin, an energetic young Border Collie, was enjoying a swim in the dam when his owners noticed something wasn’t right. Shortly afterwards, Fin suddenly vomited four times and appeared a little wobbly.
While his owners acted quickly and brought him straight to the clinic, they didn’t initially suspect a snake bite was the cause.
After assessment, Fin was diagnosed and treated with antivenin promptly, and thankfully made a full recovery.
In cases like this, timing matters. If Fin’s owners had waited to see if he improved, the outcome could have been very different.
The signs of snake bites can vary between species, but some symptoms to watch for include a wobbly gait that may progress to paralysis, sudden collapse followed by a deceptive initial recovery, excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea, dilated pupils, brown urine or unexplained bleeding.
If you see your pet with a snake — even if you did not witness a bite — or they begin showing unusual symptoms, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The team at Barkly Street Vets is fully trained and prepared for snake bite season, ready to calmly support pets and owners through these stressful situations.
If you have concerns about your pet after a possible snake encounter, contact Barkly Street Vets for advice and assistance. Call (03) 5762 6168, visit www.barklystreetvets.com.au, or speak with the team at 65 Barkly Street, Benalla.
23°C