There are so many fun outdoor things to do in Charleston, but it's important to know what to do if you and your furry friend encounter one of the wild creatures that also call Charleston home!

There are multiple different kinds of venomous snakes in South Carolina, including Copperheads and Cottonmouths most commonly, as well as Timber Rattlesnakes. These snakes are in the pit viper family - envenomation from pit vipers causes extreme pain and tissue swelling, though in more severe cases, patients can also have life-threatening clotting disorders, advanced tissue damage, low blood pressure, and organ failure.

Copperhead and cottonmouth bites are typically not life-threatening, but can be quite serious depending on the site and intensity of the envenomation. Timber rattlesnake venom is much more potent and nearly always life-threatening, as it also contains a neurological toxin, which causes symptoms such as weakness, dull mentation, and difficulty breathing. There are also Coral Snakes in coastal South Carolina, which have an entirely different kind of venom that causes paralysis without significant pain or tissue damage at the site of the bite - these are much less common, but always a life-threatening emergency.

There are many myths and misconceptions about snakes, as with many of our wild animal neighbors. There are also a wide variety of nonvenomous snakes in South Carolina, many of whom look like their venomous counterparts as a method of self-defense - some of them can even deter venomous snakes!

The majority of pet-related snake bites happen in August or September, so it is important to get to know the types of snakes you may find in your area to arm yourself with knowledge so you can be prepared and calm should an encounter occur!

Signs and Symptoms of Snake Bites

Although there are subtle differences between the symptoms and signs depending on the breed of snake, the main signs of a dog snake bite include:

• Collapse followed by apparent recovery

• Lethargy

• Muscle tremors, shaking and reduced eye blinking

• Dilated pupils

• Sudden onset of weakness/wobbliness (ataxia)

• Complete paralysis

• Inability to control bladder and bowels

• Irregular bleeding from the nose, bit site, mouth

• Discolored, dark urine (often bloody)

How to Treat Snake Bites in Pets

Pets with minor symptoms of envenomation are likely to recover with pain management and supportive care alone. However, the only effective way to treat systemic symptoms of envenomation is to neutralize the effects of the venom within the bloodstream using antivenin. In patients for whom antivenin is warranted, the earlier antivenin is administered, the better the chance at reducing or preventing life-threatening symptoms. Antivenin can also decrease local tissue destruction from a bite and reduce pain. There is NO at home treatment that is safe or effective for envenomation, and common prescription or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/pain management treatments can even be detrimental - all pets with snakebites should be evaluated by a veterinarian so that appropriate, safe pain management and other needed treatments can be implemented.

What Does a Snake Bite Look Like?

Snake bites can be difficult to identify, as your dog may not appear to be in pain and the bite wound may be hidden underneath their fur coat. Because snakes have small, razor sharp fangs, the site of the wound may only have faint puncture marks (these could even look like a scratch). It is rare to find the bite site as there may not be a bruise, swelling, or redness, so if you suspect your dog may have been bitten by a snake, it is important to take note of the signs and symptoms of snake bites in dogs.

If you have witnessed your pet being bitten by a snake, it is important to seek immediate veterinary attention – the longer your furry friend goes without treatment, the lower the rate of survival.

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