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If your pet was bitten by a venomous snake, this is considered a \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergency \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage chart. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n While venomous snake bites can be <\/span>a serious problem<\/span> in other areas of the United States, we are fortunate that they are not <\/span>very common<\/span> here in Minnesota. Of the seventeen snake species in <\/span>the state<\/span>, only two are venomous: the <\/span><\/span>Timber R<\/span>attlesnake<\/span><\/span><\/a> and the <\/span><\/span>Eastern <\/span>M<\/span>assasauga<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Both are found in <\/span>southeastern Minnesota<\/span> but<\/span> are very rare<\/span>ly <\/span>encountered<\/span>. However,<\/span> as <\/span>the<\/span> southeastern <\/span>blufflands<\/span> have become more developed<\/span>, there has been a<\/span>n <\/span>uptick <\/span>of <\/span>rattlesnake<\/span> sightings<\/span> \u2013 as many as 27 <\/span>(possible) <\/span>Timber Rattlesnakes<\/span> in 2019.<\/span> That said<\/span>, <\/span>in Minnesota, <\/span>venomous snake bites <\/span>remain<\/span> rare. Here at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, we can count on one hand <\/span>the number of<\/span> venomous snake bite cases we have seen. However<\/span> unlikely<\/span> though<\/span>,<\/span> they can \u2013 and do \u2013 happen.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you witnessed a venomous snake biting your pet, seek immediate veterinary care. Venomous bites are life-threatening, so do not delay – bring your pet in right away! Many veterinary clinics, including Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, keep anti-venom in stock. Anti-venom is an injection given to the pet to help treat illness caused by the snake\u2019s venom. Anti-venom should be given within four hours of the bite and is usually used with a combination of fluids to treat a bitten pet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you saw your pet get bitten by a snake, but you are unsure if it was venomous, consult with your family veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian and have your pet evaluated, especially if they develop any swelling. Obviously, if you live in southeastern Minnesota over the rest of the state, or elsewhere in the world where venomous snakes are more common, there is an increased chance of the snake being venomous.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although it may not seem like it,<\/span> rattlesnakes<\/span> want to get away from you as much as you want to get away from them. They <\/span>won\u2019t<\/span> attack unless threatened, so leave them be. If needed, contact the <\/span><\/span>Minnesota <\/span>DNR<\/span><\/span><\/a> to help remove a snake from your property.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Content provided by Jeff Bush, DVM, Lindsay Berg, DVM, and Janine Hagen, Marketing Assistant.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\nW<\/span>hat to <\/span>Do<\/span> if Your Pet is Bit<\/span>ten<\/span> by a Venomous Snake<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nTips to Prevent a Snake Bite<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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