SAN ANTONIO — Pet owners in San Antonio are being reminded to stay vigilant as the number of snakebites rises during the peak summer months.
Dr. Dalton Hindmarsh, an emergency critical care specialist at Mission Vet Specialty and Emergency, reported seeing up to eight snakebites a week this year.
Dr. Hindmarsh emphasized the importance of recognizing the signs of a snakebite, which include swelling of the face, bleeding, bruising, vomiting, drooling, difficulty breathing, and possibly seizures. He attributed the increase in snakebites to the time of year when people spend more time outdoors, increasing the likelihood of encountering snakes.
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San Antonio is home to a variety of snakes, including copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes, which are the most common. Dr. Hindmarsh advised that pets bitten by snakes require immediate veterinary attention to receive antivenom, as at-home treatments can worsen the situation.
“There really aren’t any at-home remedies that we recommend,” said Dr. Hindmarsh. “Really the best option is to stay calm, keep the pet calm, and get them to the nearest emergency hospital that stocks antivenom. Really the only treatment for snake envenomation is antivenom and rapid administration of antivenom.”
Dr. Hindmarsh noted that as more home developments are built in rural areas, snake encounters are likely to increase. However, he reassured pet owners that they can still enjoy the outdoors with their pets by being cautious. He advised turning around and going the other way if a snake is spotted while walking and suggested calling an exterminator to remove mice from yards, as snakes may hunt them and potentially bite pets.