A bite from a non-venomous snake causes pain; however, a venomous snake bite has the following symptoms:  

• Sweating 

• Vomiting 

• Pain spreading from the bite area to your entire body 

• Dizziness 

 

Panicking and writhing in pain, wondering whether you will make it, might be what you would feel immediately if a snake bites you. There are so many types of snakes, and venomous ones are likely to cause life-threatening situations if they bite you; coral snakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth, to name a few. While it is natural to panic in such a case, here is what we advise you to do in such an unfortunate occurrence as first aid before medical assistance arrives;  

• Remain still and calm to avoid being bitten again. Snakes bite as a defense mechanism; a snake bites you because it feels threatened, so if you make a sudden movement, it would likely interpret it as an attack. 

• You should also position yourself and remain calm so that the area the snake bit is below heart level. You are also advised to move as little as possible because the more you move, the more venom spreads through your body through the lymphatic system, damaging the lining and blood vessels. 

• Avoid swelling from occurring by removing jewelry and clothing. 

• You can clean the bite but do not flush it with water; if you are sure the snake is harmless, then you can go ahead and wash out the taste; however, if you are waiting for medical assistance, do not wash it because the staff will need to test the skin for the venom type. 

• Apply a bandage that should be in a wide area, starting over the bite area. Additionally, it should not cut blood flow; therefore, apply it loosely enough to fit a finger underneath. 

• Wait for medical attention; however, if the snake is harmless, cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing. 

  Now that you know what to do, here are some things you definitely should NOT do: 

• Do not try to capture the snake because you risk a second bite; instead, try to note some features like the color and other noticeable features to help the medical staff identify the type of snake that bit you. 

• Only wash out the bite if you are sure the snake is venomous. 

• It is a great idea to apply a tourniquet. Still, it is not because accumulating the venom in one area could cause a vast swelling that could lead to amputation and make it hard to administer antivenin. 

• Do not try to suck the venom out; venom travels fast, and sucking does not guarantee that all the poison will be released from the wound. 

• Taking caffeine or alcohol accelerates the absorption of snake venom. 

• Do not apply ice, and neither should you take pain relievers. Additionally, do not create any incisions anywhere. 

 

Knowing all this information makes it easier for you to know what to do in cases of such encounters and what to do to prevent life-threatening conditions; better to be safe than sorry! 

 

Please focus on seeking medical attention rather than calling the Fire Department in the event of a snake bite, as they will usually kill the snake… 

 

We care about you just as much as we care about animals. 

We offer solutions to keep snakes away, not to eradicate them, that is why we are keen on offering dog training that prevents dogs from engaging with snakes, and also offer tips that do not include killing snakes. We attribute killing of misunderstood species like snakes and arachnids to fear and ignorance that are frequently used as justifications.  

 

However, we believe that we can do better when it comes to how we handle different species. That is why we advocate for knowledge and education to lessen the harm done on these species, especially snakes, and advance conservation. We strive to inform the public about these misunderstood species and their crucial function in the ecosystem.

 

SOLUTION TO KEEP SNAKES AWAY

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DOG TRAINING