Dog & Cat Snakebite Management
Please review the following guidelines for pre-hospital management for all North American pit vipers. Pit vipers in the United States include all rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins). You do not need to identify the species of snake in order to treat in the USA. VenomVet and Rattler brand veterinary antivenoms are approved for all North American pit viper envenomations. While antivenom is most effective in the first six hours, it can still benefit if there are ongoing venom effects.
Pit viper envenomation is GENERALLY characterized by local tissue injury and, less commonly, hematologic abnormalities and systemic toxicity such as low blood pressure, vomiting, airway swelling. Some pit vipers, such as certain populations of Mojave rattlesnakes, cause neurological toxicity.
In-hospital Guidelines
NSS in-hospital management
The most important steps to be taken in hospital are:
Discuss treatment plan with your vet and reference the In-Hospital Management guide.
Labs are necessary to monitor the progression or regression of the venom effect. Labs to request will be CBC, chemistry, pcv/ts to assess for hemolysis, PT/PTT, and a blood film to count/confirm platelets and look for echinocytes.
Antivenom, if warranted, non-NSAIDs pain medication, and IV fluids (not subcutaneous fluids) are the indicated for envenomation.
Antivenom is most effective directly following envenomation, but can still provide benefit several days after the bite if venom effects are present.
Scratch Pay and Care Credit are the most common vet funding resources.
Download the NSS Veterinary Pit Viper Management flowchart and NSS Veterinary Supplemental Information for Pit Viper Management for Envenomations here for your veterinarian.
NSS cannot provide wound identification. But we can share some info about what to watch for. While these will outline the proper procedures for a pit viper envenomation, if your pet is painful, swollen, showing signs of distress and/or visible wounds, prompt evaluation is warranted.
Tips for reading the in-hospital guidelines
The top section of this protocol outlines proper treatment. The middle and bottom sections are things to avoid, as they may cause further harm or simply won’t help.
Bloodwork should include CBC, chemistry, pcv/ts to assess for hemolysis, PT/PTT, and a blood film to count/confirm platelets and look for echinocytes.
Notes on finding an emergency vet
Google 24hr emergency vet to find the closest near you. Call to confirm they have antivenom in stock. Severe envenomations may require overnight hospitalization that many day-to-day vet clinics do not offer.
Vet Funding Resources
ScratchPay and CareCredit are the most widely accepted loan programs. Creating a post on your personal social media pages or sharing a GoFundMe is also helpful. People are more receptive when you share the estimate from the vet along with their contact information in case donors prefer to send funds directly to the vet’s office. NSS also has a list of grants created by Cyn Mobley that may apply. Click here to open the image to save.
Quick Download to all DVM Files for owners and pets
Download the NSS DVM treatment algorithm and supplemental information here.