Emergency Action Plan

What to do if you suspect your dog's been bitten by an adder:

• Keep them calm and still

• Call the nearest vet or emergency out-of-hours service

• Carry your dog home or to the car if you can: it slows absorption of venom into their system

• Bathe the wound gently in cool water (not ice cold!) while you head to the vet; it eases pain and helps to reduce swelling

• Keep your dog warm, but not too hot

What NOT to do:

• Do not try to apply a tourniquet

• Do not cut into, squeeze or rub the wound

• Do not try to suck out venom: It’s one of those things that works far better in Hollywood than in real life and may delay getting treatment that works!

• Do not ‘wait to see if things get better’

• Warning: Do not try to kill the snake. It’s an offence. They’re a protected species under the “Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981”
  

There’s a snake in the grass… 

The chances are, it’s actually a discarded bicycle inner tube! But if your 4-legged adventurer’s scent safari into the undergrowth ends with a sudden yelp and painful limp, best take it seriously. 

Studies suggest there are around 100 reports of adder bites in dogs each year - usually between April and July and more likely in certain parts of the UK. 

Adder bites can be serious. Call a vet without delay if you think your dog’s been bitten. Getting help from a vet quickly can make all the difference to their recovery. 

Was it an adder?

Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake:

• Around 60 - 80 cm long

• A dark, continuous zig-zag down their back

• Distinctive red eyes and a dark X or V mark on the back of their head

• Colour: males - grey and black; females - reddish-brown, brown; occasionally all black

Is an adder bite an emergency in dogs?

• Every suspected snake bite should be treated as urgent

• If there's swelling around your dog’s neck or face or they're having difficulty breathing, it’s an emergency

• Some symptoms may take several hours to develop

• Bites that don't transfer venom (so-called “dry bites”) can still get infected 

When, why and where are adder bites most likely?

• Spring to early summer is the most likely time for snake bites. Snakes emerge from winter slumbers to bask in the spring sunshine and become more active as the weather warms up. 

• Adders are pretty shy creatures on the whole and don’t go looking for trouble. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of curious canine noses! 

• Preferred habitats: heathland, moorland, the edges of woodland, rough grassland, some coastal regions and sand dunes.

• UK adder strongholds: Southern and South East England (Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, etc), the South West (Devon, Cornwall), Eryri (Snowdonia), Scottish Highlands and coastal regions, and the Peak District.
  

Signs of snake bites in dogs

Early symptoms

• Sudden pain: yelping, limping, agitation

• Rapid and severe swelling

  • Common sites include paws, face and neck

• Puncture marks: 2 snake fangs 

• Restlessness

Severe symptoms

• Fast, laboured breathing

• Weakness, lethargy or collapse

• Violent trembling or seizures

• Bruising or bleeding near the bite wound (venom can cause clotting problems)

• Paralysis

• Pale gums or cold extremities (signs of shock and poor circulation)

Veterinary treatment for snake bites

Immediate vet care depends on the severity of symptoms, but focuses on treating shock, reducing swelling and providing pain relief:

• Intravenous fluids (a ‘drip’)

• Strong painkillers

• Antihistamines to reduce swelling and combat allergic response to venom

• Antivenom: for dogs with serious symptoms, including clotting problems and severe facial or neck swelling 

• Antibiotics: if there is a secondary bacterial infection

• Hospitalisation for strict cage rest and intensive monitoring 

Not all UK vets keep adder antivenom on-site, but they can usually source it quickly when it’s needed. 

Can dogs survive snake bites?

Adder bites are serious and can make your dog intensely unwell. But studies suggest that with timely treatment, around 95% will recover. Factors influencing the degree of risk include:

• How much venom was transferred with the bite

• The location of the bite

• Size of your dog

• Speed of treatment

Most dogs recover within 24-48 hours if they get the right treatment promptly. 

When they return home from the vet, your dog will need to rest for a few more days and attend follow-up checks. Swelling and bruising can take weeks to get completely better.

How to prevent snake bites

Adders will avoid encounters with humans and dogs where possible and only tend to bite in self-defence if they are stepped on or disturbed.

Simple steps to keep everyone safe

• Know the risks: if there are snakes in your local area and their favoured habitats.

• Keep your dog on a lead whenever you're walking in dense heather or long grass.

• Stick to well-marked paths.

• Train your dog to come back when called, especially if you spot a sunbathing ‘danger noodle’.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long after a snake bite do symptoms appear in dogs?

Early symptoms, including pain and intense swelling, start within minutes. Further signs (vomiting, lethargy, breathing difficulties) develop over the next hour or two as the venom takes effect. Some severe signs may not become apparent until a day or two after the bite (i.e. clotting difficulties).  

Can a dog survive an adder bite without treatment?

Don't take the chance! An adder bite is a medical emergency. Deaths are unusual in treated dogs, but every year, fatalities do happen.

What does a snake bite look like on a dog?

Bites often appear as a rapidly swelling area, usually on the dog's face, muzzle or paw. You may see 2 small puncture marks in the middle, although these can be difficult to find beneath lots of fur or swelling. 

Are some dogs at higher risk from adder bites? 

Puppies, elderly dogs, small breeds and dogs with underlying health conditions may be more vulnerable to severe effects from adder venom.