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Cats are curious creatures by nature, often venturing into places they shouldn’t or engaging with wildlife that may pose a threat. One such danger that many cat owners worry about is encounters with venomous snakes. While it is best to prevent these incidents from happening altogether, accidents can still occur. If you find yourself facing the unfortunate situation of a cat bitten by a snake, swift action and appropriate treatment are crucial to ensuring your feline friend’s well-being. In this guide, we will explore the necessary steps and precautions to effectively treat a cat bitten by a snake, enabling you to act quickly and respond with confidence in a potentially life-threatening situation.
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
There are 13 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 24,108 times.
Cats are rarely bitten by snakes, but if they do, the consequences can be quite serious. Because of their small size, cats can be infected with snake venom in quite high doses. A cat’s bodily response to a snakebite wound depends on many factors, such as the amount of venom injected, the location of the bite, and the type of snake. [1] XResearch Source If your cat has been bitten by a venomous snake, you can increase their chances of survival by taking them to the vet right away.
Steps
Assess situation
- The bite of a venomous snake also causes the skin to become red and swollen. Snake venom affects blood clotting, so the wound will bleed. [5] XResearch Sources
- The closer the bite is to the heart, the faster the poison penetrates the body and spreads to the lymphatic and circulatory systems. [6] XResearch Sources
- If the cat is bitten by a healthy snake, there will be teeth marks on the skin, but no fangs. In addition, the wound has little or no swelling, redness, or bleeding. [7] XResearch Sources
- Signs of shock include rapid and shallow breathing, hypothermia, and tachycardia. [10] XResearch Source
- When the cat feels pain, the cat will meow louder.
- You should not wait until you notice snakebite symptoms in your cat. If you see a snake bitten by a cat, or see a wound on the cat’s body, you need to take him to the veterinarian immediately.
- The onset of clinical signs after a snake bite is usually quite fast, within a few minutes. If the cat does not show any clinical signs after 60 minutes, it is possible that the snake venom did not penetrate their body. [11] XEmergency Veterinary ConfidentialResearch Source : Rattlesnake Venom. Hackett & Winfield. Hanley and Belfus.
- Cats may not show clinical signs in the event of a venomous snake bite. However, you should still take them to the doctor for treatment and monitoring.
- If you clearly witness the attack, you should stay calm and keep in mind the color, length, and pattern of the snake’s skin. For safety, you should not approach the snake to observe closely.
- Do not kill the snake. Otherwise you will put yourself in danger of being bitten by snakes due to the act of approaching to get rid of them. [13] XResearch Source
- Venomous snakes have closed pupils (like a cat), while healthy snakes have round pupils (like a human). [14] XResearch SourcesIllustrated Guide to Vipers. United States Department of Defense. Lyons Press. However, there are still some exceptions. For example, poisonous coral snakes have round pupils.
- If you can’t identify the snake or you can’t determine if it’s venomous, you can assume it’s venomous. [15] XResearch Source
- Negative effects on the cardiovascular system can cause shock in cats.
Take your Cat to Veterinary Examination
- Do not allow your cat to walk or run around as this can increase the heart rate and speed up blood circulation.
- Note that cats may bite or bite you because they are feeling pain. [18] XResearch Sources
- Do not apply a tourniquet or compression bandage to the area near the wound. [22] XResearch Source
- Do not apply ice to the bite. [23] XResearch Sources Stones do not slow the spread of venom but can cause skin damage. [24] XResearch Source
- Do not wash the wound if it is caused by a poisonous snake. This can cause the venom to penetrate faster. [25] XResearch Sources
- The effects of snake venom are irreversible and usually begin shortly after a snake bite forms. [27] XSource of Research In order for your cat to have a high chance of survival and complete treatment for snake venom, you need to take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
- Depending on your veterinarian’s equipment, your veterinarian will take an electrocardiogram to look at your cat’s heart rate. [30] XResearch Source
- Snakebite pills work by neutralizing the venom and usually work best within six hours of the accident. [32] XResearch Source This drug helps prevent blood clotting disorders and reduce swelling in the wound. [33] XResearch Source Remember that snakebite is not a vaccine and will not protect your cat from future problems. [34] XResearch Source
- Your veterinarian will administer steroids to minimize tissue damage arising, control shock, and prevent possible allergic reactions from snakebite medications. Steroids are usually given for the first 24 hours after a snake bite. [35] XResearch Source
- Cats may need additional oxygen and respiratory support, depending on the level of respiratory distress when you bring them to the doctor. [36] XResearch Source
- If the cat has severe circulatory problems (little or no clotting, low blood cell counts), the cat should be treated with blood replacement products and other appropriate treatment. [37] XResearch Source
- Antibiotics are not necessary, as snake wounds rarely become infected. [38] XResearch Source
- Your veterinarian may recommend that your cat stay in the hospital overnight to monitor progress. They need to be hospitalized for one night in case they need to continue intensive treatment. After the veterinarian concludes that the wound has recovered well, the cat can be discharged home. [41] XResearch Source
Prevent Snake Bites
- Snakes have the ability to control venom when biting. If they don’t inject venom, the bite is also known as a ‘dry bite.’ [44] XResearch Source Snakes do not inject venom if they have just killed an animal and have used up all the venom.
- Snakes can also control the amount of venom when biting. For example, small snakes that are afraid of being threatened will inject more venom than large snakes that do not feel threatened. [45] XResearch Sources
- Snake venom spreads very quickly through the lymphatic system and circulation in the body and can have a major impact on all systems in the body. Usually the venom attacks the nervous and circulatory systems. [46] XResearch Sources[47] XResearch Sources
- You can keep cats indoors. [51] XResearch Source
Advice
- You should be mentally prepared in case the cat does not survive. Veterinarians will do their best to save them, but the bite may be too severe.
- You should not clean a venomous wound, but you can still wash a common snake bite with cold water and antibacterial soap. [54] XResearch Source You should still take your cat to the vet for treatment.
Warning
- Do not go near dead snakes. Because after about an hour of death, they still have reflexes to grab and bite if touched.
- Because of its proximity to the heart, wounds to the abdomen or chest have a worse prognosis than injuries to the head or extremities. [55] XResearch Source
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
There are 13 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 24,108 times.
Cats are rarely bitten by snakes, but if they do, the consequences can be quite serious. Because of their small size, cats can be infected with snake venom in quite high doses. A cat’s bodily response to a snakebite wound depends on many factors, such as the amount of venom injected, the location of the bite, and the type of snake. [1] XResearch Source If your cat has been bitten by a venomous snake, you can increase their chances of survival by taking them to the vet right away.
In conclusion, treating a cat that has been bitten by a snake requires immediate attention and proper care. Snakebites can be a life-threatening situation for cats, and it is crucial to act fast and seek veterinary help. Promptly identifying the signs of a snakebite, keeping the cat calm and immobilized, and seeking professional veterinary assistance are essential steps in ensuring the cat’s well-being. Additionally, providing supportive care, such as cleaning and dressing the wound, administering medication as prescribed, and closely monitoring the cat’s recovery, are necessary for a successful treatment. It is important to remember that prevention is key, and taking precautions to keep cats away from snake-occupied areas can greatly reduce the risk of snakebites. By following these guidelines and staying prepared, cat owners can effectively manage and treat a snakebite, potentially saving their feline companion’s life.
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