pet crusader - pet safety WHEN SPIDERS STING OR SNAKES BITE
by Denise Fleck
WHEN THE WORST HAPPENS If you don’t see the incident occur, but notice some swelling to a body part of licking, you may assume your pet has been bitten and should administer first-aid. If however, you notice any of the following symptoms, which usually occur within one hour, seek veterinary assistance immediately: pain, fever or body temperature below 100°F, profuse swelling, rash, breathing difficulty, rapid or irregular pulse, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, muscle tremors or rigidness, paralysis (including of the lungs) or Shock. SPIDERS Most spider bites cause little more than painful swelling and should be treated like an insect sting since most spiders are unable to penetrate animal skin. There are a few species in the U.S. that are venomous (inject toxin through fangs) and can cause serious effects within 30 minutes to several hours of being stung. Administer 1 mg Diphenhydramine for every pound pet weighs, and since spider toxin also contains acid, apply an alkaline baking soda or meat tenderizer (containing papain) made into a paste by mixing with small amounts of water. This may counteract the acidity if you can locate the site of the sting. Apply a cold pack to any swelling, but remove every few minutes to prevent frostbite. If you suspect the bite was caused by a venomous spider, also restrain movement (movement hastens the spread of venom) and get him quickly to veterinary care, bringing along the dead spider for identification. SNAKES Even those without venom (toxic saliva) carry bacteria in their mouths (most don’t brush their teeth and consume rats and mice on a daily basis) which can cause infection in your pet. The physical appearance of each snake species varies, and it may be difficult to tell which species you’ve encountered unless you are familiar with herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles).
Although “I Don’t Like Spiders and Snakes” was a big hit for Jim Stafford back in 1974, many people actually do enjoy sharing their lives with crawling beings. With the bewitching time of year upon us however, I thought it appropriate to talk about what happens when worlds collide and one of these beings goes rogue, biting or stinging our four-legged best friend! Dogs and cats are natural hunters and often go in search of smaller animals as prey, but like humans…they can experience an allergic or inflammatory reaction if not worse when bitten or stung by a venomous creature. Most injuries occur on the face or in the mouth since cats and dogs snap at or try to catch the flying and crawling critters in their mouths, but they can also sit or step on a stinging insect, arachnid or venomous reptile. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION… Keep down the insect population by not leaving food outside, using pet-safe insecticides around the yard and growing plants (such as lemongrass or catnip) or lighting citronella candles (if safe around pets) that cause insects to stay away. Clear debris piles and leaves from locations where pets hang out. Prevent pets from sniffing under and around sheds, foundations, basements and damp areas, including places where hoses are stored, near water spigots and leaky plumbing -- basically cool, dark, damp locations. Keep dogs on-leash when hiking so that you can steer them clear of dangerous critters. Stick to open paths as heavily travelled areas are less likely inhabited by reptiles. Don’t let pets sniff under rocks and logs (it’s where snakes hide out). Do your best to step ON fallen logs rather than over them to cover hiding places underneath and prevent the snake from striking as you and your dog step over. Eliminate garbage, wood piles and even ivy from pet play areas. These are favorite locales of mice, and where mice hang out…snakes line up for dinner! Look into a “positively reinforced” rattlesnake aversion class to see if it can lessen the prey drive in dogs eager to go on the chase.
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