Snake bite in a cat: clinical picture and first aid

Unlike the vast expanses of Africa or Australia, in our climate zone, veterinarians rarely have to deal with the bites of poisonous snakes. And this is encouraging, since the consequences of their poison entering the body are unpredictable; toxins can lead not only to immediate death, but also to more long-term consequences, including kidney, heart, or liver failure. What animals are susceptible to snake bites? Cats that have the opportunity to walk outside love to play with bugs and other small animals, running carefree through thickets of grass. And everything would be fine, but it is precisely in such secluded places that snakes like to live.

Information about snakes

In the middle latitudes of Russia, the real danger can come from two types of snakes - the viper and the copperhead.

Much more dangerous is the bite of an adult snake, which has a high concentration of toxins in the venom.

Dogs with light skin color are most sensitive to snake venom.

Hunting dogs, dachshunds, and mixed breeds are more resistant to poison and sometimes recover without the intervention of a veterinarian.

The poison is absorbed more slowly in large dogs.

A snake bite is not dangerous for humans or dogs, unless, of course, the wound becomes infected.

Why do you dream about killing a black snake?

Black color or the color of darkness is a symbol of mortal danger, serious illness, misfortune, unexpected trouble, the emergence of a dangerous enemy, fears.

The emotional background will again help the dreamer determine the direction of the black snake’s strike.

Self-defense - maintaining positions at work, in business.
The feeling of hunger is a huge risky income.
Panic - the dreamer simply must overcome his fear, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous.
A feeling of protection, love - the dreamer will have to repel attacks towards those he loves and for whom he is responsible.

Killing a big black snake means overcoming a huge danger that has serious consequences or complications, defeating a complex disease, learning a huge life lesson, putting an end to your fears.

Kill a big black snake - overcome a huge danger

Signs of a snake bite

The dog's most vulnerable places are the legs, stomach, neck and face. Finding the site of the bite can be problematic, especially in thick-haired dogs. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following symptoms:

The dog suddenly jumps away from the place where it was;
Begins to whine, squeal, fall on his back, roll on the ground;
Possible wheezing and growling;
Breathing may become heavy and intermittent;
Excitement may be replaced by weakness, lethargy;
Loss of orientation in space;
Impaired motor functions;
Two red dots at the site of the bite;
Exit from the wound of the ichor;
Swelling at the site of the bite;
In some cases - vomiting, convulsions, bleeding gums, muscle spasms.

Not all of these signs may be present, but the owner should pay attention to any that appear. Animals with thin, stretched skin are primarily affected.

It is advisable to identify the snake, ideally take a photograph of it, this will help more effective treatment.

Symptoms

The following symptoms also indicate a snake bite:

the bite site becomes swollen and inflamed;
increased salivation, diarrhea, vomiting appear;
weak condition of the pet;
the bitten area bleeds;
convulsive state;
pupils dilated;
coordination is impaired: the cat has a “drunk” gait and cannot jump on a low object;
Cyanosis of the mucous membrane;
Coma, paralysis.

There are other consequences of the toxic effect of the bite - shock, increased heart rate, increased or slower breathing, blood in the urine (hematuria). The gums may turn blue because there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Some symptoms may appear and then weaken or, conversely, intensify.

If a cat has been bitten by a snake according to all the signs , you cannot hesitate and rely on treatment at home; the help of a veterinarian is definitely needed. The most correct thing is to contact a specialist on the way to the clinic and tell about what happened (the hospital may not have the necessary antidote and then you will need to go to another institution). The damaged area must be photographed for a complete clinical picture. The help provided by the owner should include removing the collar, drinking plenty of water, and lubricating the wound with miramistine or chlorhexidine. The cat must be placed in a carrier; if it is in a state of shock, it may become aggressive.

First aid for a snake bite

It is advisable to provide first aid in the first hour after the bite. Before transporting to a veterinary clinic you should:

Fix the dog, preventing it from moving. The poison spreads mainly through the lymphatic system. The outflow of lymph passes more slowly in the absence of movement;
Lay the dog on its side, cover it with something, because under the influence of poison, body temperature may decrease;
You can try to squeeze out the blood with poison if more than 10-15 minutes have passed since the bite;
The wound can be treated with hydrogen peroxide (do not use alcohol-containing liquids under any circumstances);
If the bite is on the paw or stomach, a loose bandage two to three centimeters wide above the damaged area will help (the index finger should go under it). This reduces the rate of lymph circulation;
Give the dog plenty of water.

When are snakes most likely to bite?

Snakes are active in the warm months, so they most often bite during this time, with the exception of snakes that have escaped from terrariums, so not only a cat walking on the street, but also a domestic cat that never leaves the apartment can encounter a snake bite.

Can a cat kill a snake

A cat can kill a small snake, but if such a snake does bite the kitty, it can seriously harm your pet's health, so never encourage your cat to hunt snakes, even if it is not poisonous. Small pythons easily kill small dogs and cats. Baby venomous snakes are also deadly to cats.

What is snake venom

The venom is a modified saliva that is stored in bags behind the snake's eyes. It contains toxins produced by the animal, which are then injected through the hollow fangs in the snake's mouth into the victim's body, thus acting as both a defense mechanism and a food-producing mechanism. Snake venom may contain hemotoxins, which, accordingly, affect the blood, cytotoxins (affect certain cells of the body), neurotoxins (affect the nervous system of the body). The main function of venom is to kill prey and protect against predators. It has been proven that snakes can control the amount of venom released, and can also bite without releasing it, making a so-called “dry bite”. Of course, if you realize your cat has been bitten by a snake, she will need immediate veterinary attention, regardless of how much venom was injected or whether any was injected at all.

A snake bite can manifest itself in different ways:

Difficulty breathing, acute renal failure (nephrotoxicity of the poison), paralysis, various allergic reactions. As we wrote, there are different types of toxins, the problem is compounded by the fact that the venom of many snakes contains several toxins at the same time.

Types of toxins:

Neurotoxins cause neuromuscular paralysis, which ultimately leads to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Hemotoxins destroy red blood cells, lower blood pressure, and interfere with blood clotting by destroying platelets.
Cytotoxins destroy individual cells, such as kidney cells (nephrotoxins).
Myotoxins , the most common type of cytotoxin, destroy skeletal muscle cells by releasing myoglobin (a protein in muscle cells) into the blood plasma, leading to rhabdomyolysis, which in turn leads to kidney pathology.

What is an antidote?

Antidote (or antidote) is a substance that stops or weakens the effect of poison on the body. Antivenom stops the effects of the venom, but does not cure the damage already done, which is why it is important to seek veterinary help as quickly as possible.

Symptoms of snakebite in cats

The symptoms of a snakebite vary. This depends on the type of poison, its quantity and place of administration, as well as on the type of snake, its size and age. Symptoms are also affected by the size and age of the cat, its weight, the amount of subcutaneous fat, the thickness of the skin and hair. But this does not mean that a bite from a Maine Coon cat is any less serious than a bite from a kitten; all snake bites require immediate veterinary attention. Also, after a cat is bitten by a snake, you will not necessarily be able to detect obvious bite marks, but this does not mean that the cat was not bitten.

After a snake bite, two stages develop: preparalytic and paralytic. Typically, symptoms develop within 24 hours.

Preparalytic syndrome:

Swelling at the site of the bite
Salivation
Vomit
Diarrhea
Frequent or absent urination
Trembling
Ptosis (drooping) eyelids
Photophobia
Increased breathing

Paralytic syndrome:

Mydriasis (enlargement) of the pupils or their immobility, possibly both
Muscle weakness
Changing your cat's voice
Loss of coordination, drunken gait, inability to jump even to a small height
Increased heart rate
Shallow breathing
Blue gums due to lack of oxygen in the blood
Hematuria (blood in urine)
Paralysis starting in the hind legs and gradually moving towards the head
Coma

It is important to note that symptoms can either increase or decrease during development, returning after some time with renewed vigor.

What to do if a cat is bitten by a snake

Contact your veterinarian immediately. If you are already on your way, be sure to call him and tell him what time you will arrive and how much time has passed since the bite, this will help the veterinarian to properly prepare to provide assistance. Moreover, your veterinarian or veterinary clinic may not have the necessary antidote; in this case, they will promptly redirect you to the right institution, which will save valuable time.

How to help your cat on the way to the veterinarian

If you can, help your cat along the way:

Remove the cat's collar
Keep the bitten area below heart level
Help your cat stay calm, as an increased heart rate will help the poison spread faster.
If an animal's limb is bitten, apply a pressure bandage above the bite site.
If possible, immobilize the bitten limb

Remember that it is advisable to provide first aid if there is more than one person, otherwise it is better to take the animal to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible without wasting time. Be careful when handling a cat that has been bitten by a snake, as it may become aggressive if it experiences unbearable pain.

What not to do:

Don't let the cat walk
Do not cut the bitten area
Don't try to suck the venom out of the bite
Do not use a tourniquet
Do not try to catch or kill the snake
Do not use ice

Medication before arriving at the veterinary clinic

If you have medications, you can provide the following help:

Novocaine blockade around the bite site;
Inject an antihistamine - suprastin, tavigil, diphenhydramine;
Inject a decongestant and anti-shock agent - dexamethasone, prednisolone;
Inject saline solution into the withers;
Give an injection of a drug that normalizes heart function - cordiamine, sulfocamphocaine, caffeine;
You can drop Valocordin or Corvalol onto your tongue;
Inject vitamin Gamavit.

Currently, doctors have serums in their arsenal to treat humans and animals against almost all types of snakes. Therefore, it is so important to know which snake bit your pet.

You should take your dog to a veterinary clinic or even a hospital as soon as possible. It is not recommended to administer the serum yourself, because... only a specialist can correctly calculate the dosage of the serum. If it is exceeded, the consequences can be very serious, even more dangerous than the bite itself.

A cat was bitten by a snake: prevention

In Russia, snakes practically do not crawl into houses, therefore, in order to avoid encountering a snake, the cat should simply not be allowed outside, especially in suburban areas located close to forests/steppes/fields.

If the cat does walk around the area, then it is necessary to regularly carry out deratization measures and prevent the formation of garbage heaps that attract snakes.

Your cat was bitten by a snake, and your pet returned to you only a few hours/days later? Alas, time is lost, and the cat may face death. Therefore, avoid walking your pet on your own to avoid such accidents.

Cat snake bite

Cats love to play with small animals - beetles, lizards, running carefree through thickets of grass.
But snakes can also live in secluded places. Therefore, cats themselves are usually to blame for snake attacks, mistaking them for a harmless animal. The actions of cat owners are similar to those performed when a dog is bitten by a snake.

. Naturally, the dosage of drugs must correspond to the weight of the animal.

If your four-legged pet is bitten by a snake, it is important to take him to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. The Aibolit Plus network of animal clinics includes qualified veterinarians, modern equipment and the availability of the latest drugs.

Your actions

Don't panic.
The likelihood that a pet was bitten by a non-venomous snake is still an order of magnitude greater. If the wound is bleeding profusely, apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Call the nearest veterinary clinic as soon as possible and explain the current situation to the staff. Your further actions depend on whether the clinic has an effective antidote. In addition, the veterinarian will want to know as many details as possible: how and under what circumstances the incident occurred, whether it was in deep grass or in an open area, whether you can identify the reptile, etc. Remember how the cat behaved immediately after the bite. In some situations, it will be necessary to perform a so-called venom test in order to make a final diagnosis, and also to make sure that we are dealing with a snake bite and not with another disease.

Why do you dream of a killed snake in a dream according to a modern book of interpretations?

The 21st century dream book says: a dead snake foreshadows the solution to all problems, contradictions and disputes. And in an exclusively fair way. According to some legends, the snake is a symbol of intrigue and deception. And if a person sees how he kills her, then he will resist something bad and evil. In general, this is a good sign. Also, if the dreamer has to kill a black snake in a dream, this means receiving great wealth or profit. He will be able to defeat his competitors or sign some very profitable contract for himself. The deal will bring a lot of money, so if something like this is planned, you should not miss the chance. It’s better to act - the result will definitely please you. However, you will still need to sacrifice something - your time, nerves or last strength.

Why does a pregnant woman dream about this?

Killing a snake in a dream for a pregnant woman means coping with her fears and anxieties

associated with the upcoming birth. A woman will be able to take control of negative emotions and experiences. If a pregnant woman has such a dream, perhaps she needs male affection, which she so lacks in her position. killing a snake is a sign of imminent trouble.

Surely after a dream in which you defeated a dangerous cobra or viper, you feel like a hero. However, you leaf through the dream book with caution: what if the dream warns you of a real danger in the future? Why do you dream of defeating a poisonous reptile?

This is one of the most ambiguous dreams, and it is interpreted not in general, but based on the totality of details. Before the dream is forgotten, try to remember (and write down, just in case) everything you saw. After that, you can read the interpretations below.

Dreamer - who?

Woman. A dream in which you destroy a reptile while defending yourself does not bode well. He warns: soon you may catch your loved one red-handed.
Did you protect your child(ren)? Killing a snake in a dream without letting it bite your baby is good: some woman is looking at your husband (boyfriend), but nothing will work out for her. If you were unable to strangle the reptile in a dream, a rift may occur in your real relationship - it is quite possible that your close friend will play a key role in it.
Have you protected your loved one from aggressive vipers (or other types of snakes)? In real life, you can protect your marriage by saving it.
Pregnant. Choking a reptile in a dream means an easy, completely unproblematic birth.
Young girl. Is there a young man you like? Is there another young lady hovering around him? A dream about killing a snake means: you will be able to defeat the scoundrel.
Man. The dream says: your opinion will have weight, your relatives and (or) colleagues will listen to it. The main thing is to never lose your presence of mind and determination.
Have you seen in a dream a pregnant woman trying to “kill” a reptile with her bare hands? The dream promises problems.
Sick man. In this case, the dream turns out to be good and promises you health.

Where was the reptile killed?

In her own nest, which you destroyed. The dream says: soon you will finally say goodbye to the person from your close circle who has been bothering you for a long time.
In your apartment (house). It was a huge python that suddenly shrank to the size of a small snake, and you easily dealt with it? This is a typically “female” dream that promises: you will easily defeat your rival.
Were you able to strangle a small black snake in your home? This is exactly the case when the snake means wisdom, namely, a well-thought-out undertaking (idea) that you implement.
In bed, and the reptile was white: you will not let your loved one (beloved) cheat on you.

What exactly did you use to kill her?

Why dream of killing a snake with a knife? During a “battle” with your competitor or an enemy of another plane, someone’s innocent head may fall off.
Did you kill the reptile after it bit you? Again, the dream warns of a future conflict with an enemy. If you cut off the head of a reptile, you will defeat the enemy.
Shovel, stick. Fate is preparing a serious test for you. Anu, can you think outside the box? This skill will come in handy very soon.
There were a lot of snakes, one bit you, and you began to exterminate the nasty creatures with a stick? Your subconscious mind is hinting at your internal war with yourself. It's time to work on your own character (you can't consist of continuous contradictions), but it will be hard.
Did you have a firearm in your hands? An excellent dream that promises you victory over your enemy, and it will take place in unequal “weight categories” - you will find yourself much stronger.
With an axe. Where was the hissing wretch crawling? If in your house, the dream warns: bad events will happen in your family that will undermine the well-being of this house.

Was the snake destroyed by the cat?

Yes, but the reptile managed to bite the animal: while your enemies are squabbling, listen to Eastern wisdom and wait. Non-interference is what will not harm you and will bring some benefit.
The cat not only strangled the snake, but also bit off its head: in order to get you and neutralize you, your enemies are even ready to turn to a witch.
“Domestic tiger” protecting a child in the house from a reptile: the dream warns that you may be poisoned by stale food.

Interpretation of the symbol

So, although the vision is not pleasant, it means something good. Most dream books, in any case, give a positive interpretation of this dream. So, for example, the esoteric says that if a person had to kill a snake in a dream, this means an increase in vitality and energy. So it's worth rejoicing. And if the dreamer or his loved ones are sick, they will definitely recover, and soon. And all because the snake is a symbol of healing. Even if in a dream a person saw a poisonous and dangerous one - a cobra, for example.

In yoga, the snake is a symbol of energy. And if a person killed her, then it means that he is on the way to finding his second “I”, which will turn out to be his real, true essence.