Warmer temperatures mean Texas snakes are out again, and some snakebites have already reported. TwoTexas A&M veterinary experts have tips to keep you and your pets safe. Read on Texas A&M Today
COLLEGE STATION, Feb. 18, 2019 – It’s almost springtime in Texas, which means snakes are beginning to slither away from their comfortable winter surroundings and are on the move.
Dr. Jill Heatley, associate professor of veterinary medicine at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), said active snakes could mean bad news for people and their pets. Heatley and veterinarians in the Small Animal Hospital at the CVM are expect to see an increase in snakebite cases as the temperatures rise.
“If you believe your pet has been bitten by a snake, you need to seek veterinary care and the doctor can determine what kind of treatment is necessary,” Heatley said.
“We have already seen snakebites in dogs this year,” said Christine Rutter, a small animal critical care veterinarian in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “One pet required significant care after being bitten by a coral snake, but is thankfully going to be fine. Coral snake bites and rattlesnake bites are uncommon, but are life threatening when they occur. Copperhead and cottonmouth bites are extremely common during the summer, as are bites from grumpy non-venomous snakes.”
A snakebite on a human can be painful — and also expensive. It is not uncommon for a person bit by a venomous snake to have hospital bills up to $50,000. Hospital treatments can range from one day to several weeks, and include care for damaged tissues and antivenom treatments that can run into the thousands of dollars, according to Heatley. Even nonvenomous snake bites can cause serious infection.
Although snakes are found in most parts of the world — Ireland, Iceland and New Zealand are some of the few snake-free countries — only four types of snakes found in Texas are venomous: the coral snake, copperhead, rattlesnake and cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin).
“The thing to remember about snakes is that they generally want to be left alone,” Heatley said. “They are probably more afraid of you than you are of them.”
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