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Rattlesnake seasonBy Arden
Wohlers DVM
Horses and cows are more sensitive to snake venom than dogs and cats. But due to their curious nature and smaller size, dogs receive more fatal snake bites. Many bites are not fatal because the snake chooses not to inject venom since they often strike as a defense strategy and don’t intend to kill the victim. Because of their size and receiving a dry bite, a horse rarely dies from snake bite unless swelling constricts their airway. However the venom will target cardiac muscle in the equine. If the heart muscle is damaged it may lead to death in the horse several weeks after the bite or cause a permanent cardiac impairment. The most serious consequence for a cow is caused by bacterial infection introduced by the snake’s fangs. The bacteria grow in the tissue damaged by the venom. Cows die from snakebite due to systemic infection or airways being constricted due to swelling. Snakebites are inevitable in areas where rattlesnakes exist. Treatment for each case needs to be evaluated with regards to the size of the victim, the effect of the venom, the time that has elapsed since the bite occurred and cost considerations. It is important to identify the snake that has bitten your animal. The prairie rattler has a blotched body pattern, triangular head, and elliptical eye pupils and usually has rattles at the end of the tail. Identification help can be found at http://snrs.unl.edu/herpneb First aid for snakebites consists of treating them as puncture wounds. Clean the wound with soap and water and dress the wound in antiseptic solutions. Do not cut the bite area. Do not apply cold or hot compresses or apply a tourniquet. A visit to a veterinarian is always indicated to see if plasma or antivenin is necessary. Antivenin has proven useful in the horse to prevent heart damage as long as 24 hours after the bite. Corticosteroids may be necessary to minimize tissue damage and along with intravenous fluids may be needed to counteract the effects of shock. Antibiotics are always indicated because of the bacteria that are introduced into the animal from the fangs of the snake. Horses should always be kept current on their tetanus immunization as that can be a complication following snakebite. Dogs that are at high risk of being bitten by rattlesnakes can be vaccinated for protection from poisonous snakes. The vaccine does not eliminate all consequences of snake bite, but it reduces the severity of the complications from the venom.
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Summertime means horseback rides, walks with the dog, irrigating fields and cattle on pasture. It also means rattlesnakes are out of their dens and bite risks to man and beast are increased. Nebraska has four kinds of poisonous snakes, but our region is home to only the prairie rattler, which is in the pit viper family. Venom from these vipers destroys blood and tissue cells and prevents blood from clotting.