Although quite rare, snake bites can be very dangerous if they actually happen to cats. Due to their small size, your cat may receive higher doses of the poison contained in snake venom. How the cat's body responds to the snakebite will depend on several factors, such as the amount of venom that entered the body, the location of the bite, and the species of snake that bit it. If your cat is bitten by a venomous snake, your chances of survival will increase if you take him to the vet immediately.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Check the snakebite area
Most snakebites are found on the cat's muzzle or paws. If a venomous snake has bitten your cat, there may be one or more fang puncture marks at the snakebite site. Unfortunately, this stab wound may be covered by the cat's fur. Also, because snake bites can be very painful, your sweetheart may be in too much pain or torture to allow you to see the bite marks.
- A venomous snake bite will also make the skin swell and turn red. Since snake venom can negatively affect blood clotting, it is possible to bleed from the bite mark.
- The closer a rattlesnake bite is to the heart, the faster the venom will be absorbed into the body and spread through the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
- If the cat has been bitten by a non-venomous snake, you will see tooth marks, but no fang marks at the site of the bite. Also, there may be little, or no, swelling, redness or bleeding at the snakebite site on your cat.
Step 2. Watch for clinical signs in your cat
After being bitten by a venomous snake, the cat will become weak and may start vomiting. In addition, the muscles may begin to constrict and the pupils may begin to dilate. As time passes after the bite occurs, your cat may show even more serious signs such as convulsions, paralysis, and shock.
- Signs of shock include rapid and shallow breathing, hypothermia, and a very fast heart rate.
- Due to the magnitude of the pain she was in, the Cutie might as well be noisier.
- Don't wait until the cat shows signs of being bitten by a snake. If you notice a snake has bitten the cat, or if you notice a bite wound, take your cat to the vet immediately.
- The onset of clinical signs following a snakebite usually occurs very quickly--within a few minutes to an hour after being bitten. If the cat does not show clinical signs after 60 minutes, it means that the snake's venom has not entered its organ system.
- Your cat may not show these clinical signs if bitten by a venomous snake. However, you should still take him to the vet for treatment and supervision.
Step 3. Work to identify the species of snake that bit your cat
Knowing the species of snake that attacked the cat will be very helpful for the veterinarian in order to provide the right antivenom. In the United States, the most common venomous snakes are the rattlesnake, water moccasin, copperhead, and coral snake. In Indonesia, the most common venomous snakes are the king cobra, Javan cobra, welang and weling snakes.
- If you witness the attack, stay calm and pay attention to the color, length and pattern of the snake's skin. For your safety, do not approach the snake to get a better view of it.
- Don't try to kill the snake. You'll be putting yourself in more danger by approaching and trying to kill the snake.
- Venomous snakes have vertical pupils (like cats) while non-venomous snakes have round pupils (like humans). However, there are some exceptions. For example, the poisonous coral snake has round pupils.
- If you can't identify or don't know if the snake is poisonous, assume that it is poisonous.
- The negative effects of venom on the cardiovascular system can cause the cat to go into shock.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Your Cat to the Vet
Step 1. Keep your cat calm and still
For bites from venomous snakes, keeping your cat calm and still is the best first aid you can do for them before your sweet one gets medical attention. The more restless and active the cat is, the faster the snake's venom can spread throughout the body and cause more pain. It's actually recommended that keeping the cat calm and still is the only first aid you can do yourself.
- Don't let the cat walk or run around as this will increase its heart rate and stimulate more blood circulation.
- Remember, the cat may get angry or try to bite you because it's in a lot of pain.
Step 2. Do not provide any other first aid than applying gentle pressure to the bite wound
Gentle pressure will help control bleeding from the bite wound. One example of first aid you shouldn't give is tearing the wound open to suck up or drain the blood from the wound. Besides being ineffective, this step will only make the cat more painful and suffering. In addition, the venom may be toxic to you.
- Do not apply a tourniquet or compression bandage to the area around the bite wound.
- Do not apply ice to the bite wound. Ice won't slow down the circulation of the venom and can actually damage your Sweet's skin.
- Do not wash the wound if the bite came from a venomous snake. Washing the wound will increase the absorption of the venom.
Step 3. Take your cat to the vet immediately
The most likely course of action to save your cat's life is to take him to the vet as soon as possible. If possible, take your cat in his carrier or in a large box where he can lie down comfortably. To help him calm down and stay still during the trip to the doctor, wrap your kitten loosely in a large towel or sheet.
The effects of snake venom are usually irreversible and often begin soon after the bite occurs. To increase your cat's chances of survival and treat the effects of the snake's venom, the cat should seek veterinary care immediately
Step 4. Provide as much background as you can about the snakebite
Your vet may have medical equipment to detect snakebites that will allow them to identify what type of snake has bitten your sweetie. However, if the veterinarian does not have the equipment, you should provide as much information as you can about the snakebite, such as a description of the snake, how much time has elapsed since the bite occurred, and any clinical signs that have occurred. began to show the cat after being bitten.
Step 5. Let the vet diagnose your cat
While the clinical signs and appearance of the bite may seem sufficient to initiate treatment, the veterinarian will need to perform diagnostic tests to truly estimate the severity of the snakebite. For example, your vet will do a blood test to see how well (or how bad) your cat's blood clots. The doctor may also take a sample of the cat's urine (snake bites can cause blood in the urine).
Depending on how well equipped the veterinary clinic is, the vet may need to perform an electrocardiogram to assess your cat's heart rate
Step 6. Accept the treatment plan suggested by your veterinarian
Since snake venom can spread very quickly and cause damage to your cat's body, the doctor may need to start some form of treatment immediately to stabilize the cat's condition before listening to more detailed explanations from you. One form of immediate treatment is intravenous fluids that will raise the cat's blood pressure (this step is especially important if your cat has gone into shock).
- Antivenom works by neutralizing snake venom and is most effective if given within the first six hours after the bite. Antivenom can help prevent bleeding disorders and reduce the degree of swelling of the bite wound. Remember that antivenom is not a vaccine and will not protect your cat from snake bites in the future.
- The veterinarian will most likely prescribe steroids that will minimize further tissue damage, control shock, and prevent possible allergic reactions from antivenom. Steroids are usually given only within the first 24 hours after the snake bite.
- Your cat may also need supplemental oxygen and respiratory support, depending on the level of respiratory distress she was experiencing when you took her to the vet.
- If your cat is suffering from serious circulatory problems (little or no blood clotting, low blood cell counts), your sweetie should be treated with blood substitute products and other appropriate treatments.
- Antibiotics are usually not needed, because snakebite wounds rarely become infected.
Step 7. Ask the doctor about your cat's prognosis
The prognosis for the cat varies depending on how much venom has entered its body, the species of snake that attacked it and how much time has passed after the bite occurred. Fortunately, nearly 80% of pets will survive a snakebite if they receive immediate veterinary care. If your cat has a good prognosis, your sweet one is likely to be safe within 24 to 48 hours. This healing may take longer (at least a few days) depending on the extent of the tissue damage.
Your vet may advise you to leave the cat in the hospital overnight for observation. The sweet must stay one night if it requires intensive follow-up care. Once you're sure your cat is recovering well from the snakebite, your vet will allow you to take the cat home with you
Step 8. Take care of your cat after discharge from the veterinary hospital
When your Sweetie is well enough to take home, you will be responsible for taking care of him at home. Your vet may prescribe pain medication to control the pain from a snakebite. Your cat may need additional treatment, depending on the clinical signs and the results of the diagnostic tests.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Snake Bites
Step 1. Learn how it can affect your cat
Snakes most often use venom to catch their prey. However, keep in mind that a snake will prefer to run away than fight/bite if it encounters humans or pets. If your cat is bitten by a snake, it is more likely that the snake bit the cat out of defense rather than out of prey.
- Snakes have control over whether to inject through their bite or not. If the snake does not inject the venom, the bite is known as a 'dry bite' (or dry bite). Snakes may not inject venom if they have recently killed another creature and have used up all of the venom.
- Snakes can also control the amount of venom they inject when biting. For example, a smaller snake that fears its life is in danger can inject more venom than a larger snake whose life is not threatened.
- Snake venom spreads rapidly through the lymphatic system and circulatory system in the body and ultimately has a major effect on the entire body system. Usually, the venom targets the nervous and circulatory systems.
Step 2. Remove any potential snake hiding places
Snakes like to hide in tall grass, unkempt leaves, and under piles of wood. Snakes also like to hide under rocks and logs. If your cat is a house cat who occasionally plays outside, or lives completely outdoors, cleaning up potential snake hiding places will reduce your cat's chances of encountering a snake.
You can also keep the cat indoors
Step 3. Buy snake repellent
You can spray repellent in your garden to repel snakes. Visit a local pet supply store for recommendations on what repellent to buy. You can also buy snake repellent online.
Step 4. Remove the snake's food source
Rodents such as rats are a source of food for snakes. Snakes can be attracted to your home if there is a rodent problem there. You can set mouse traps in and around your home. In addition, you can hire a pest control service to clean rodents from your home.
Tips
- Prepare yourself for the possibility that the cat may not survive the snakebite. The vet will do everything he can to save your cat, but the snakebite may be too severe.
- While it is not recommended to wash the bites of a venomous snake, you
You can clean the wound of a non-venomous snake bite with cold water and antibacterial soap. However, you should still take him to the vet for treatment.
Warning
- Do not approach a dead snake. Snakes have a reflex action to ambush and bite if touched within an hour of death.
- Because of its proximity to the heart, bites to the abdomen or chest have a worse prognosis than bites to the head or legs.
