With the summer months upon us, it is very important to you and your pet, to be on the lookout for the presence of snakes. There are six known venomous snakes in Florida-five pit viper species and the coral snake.

The pit vipers include the rattlesnakes (diamondback, pygmy, and canebrake), copperhead, and cottonmouth (also known as water moccasin). Pit vipers have retractable fangs and a triangular shaped head. Coral snakes have fangs in the rear of the mouth and they are not retractable.

The coral snake is often confused with the harmless scarlet king snake. Remember the little rhyme about coral snakes, “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, good for Jack”.    Also, the coral has a black nose, and the king snake has a red nose.

Rarely will a cat get bitten by a snake, but dogs are frequently bitten due to their curiosity. They are most commonly bitten on the muzzle, neck, head, or front legs.

There is lots of bleeding, swelling, pain, and bruising around the bite area. If you see the snake and can identify it, this is all the better for determining your dog’s treatment. But please - consider your own safety and distance yourself if at all possible. If you have to kill the snake to protect yourself or your pet, take it with you for identification. Be aware that the fangs of a decapitated snake head may be venomous for up to 1½ hours! Keep you pet calm and still as movement may cause the toxin to spread faster. Do not touch or mess with the bite area.

Do not apply ice or use a tourniquet. Do however, transport your pet to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Time is of the essence! The greater quantity of toxin delivered and the longer time before administration of anti-venom, the less chance your pet has for survival.