Right In Your Own Backyard: Snake Bites And Pets

There could be something deadly in your backyard for both you and your pets. South Floridians face some unique dangers, namely the stout cottonmouth, tiny pygmy rattlesnake, ringed coral snake and eastern diamondback rattler. Along with a thriving exotic snake importation industry, 35 to 40 thousand enter Miami every year; South Florida has a distinct need for both snakebite prevention education and antivenin stocks.

In March of 1998, then Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain Al Cruz, unknowingly at the time, changed what it would mean to get a venomous snake bite in South Florida. And it was a snake native to southern and eastern Africa that spurred it all.

A snake handler bitten by a black mamba, considered one of the worlds deadliest snakes, seemed to have little hope when the fast and aggressive reptile turned on him. Bill Haast, owner of the Miami Serpentarium, a lab specializing in the production of venom for research, had closed his doors in the late 80s. Furthermore, no antivenin existed in any nearby healthcare facilities. The snake handlers hopes seemed dim.

It was Cruz who was contacted because of his reputation as an ardent amateur herpetologist and it was really by chance that he knew someone who was raising the deadly snakes. Because of Cruzs efforts, the patient survived but the incident solidified the need for an antivenin bank in South Florida.

Cruz is now the Chief of Special Operations for Miami-Dade County and founder of the Antivenin Program. The program includes a bank of antivenins for 95 percent of the worlds venomous snakes. Now 10 years later, Cruz feels that Miami-Dade county is equipped for a very real threat in the community.

"We have a unique problem down here," Cruz said. "There is very little literature on this. You learn by doing."

Although the program began with human lives in mind, it quickly forayed into animal ones as well. Its the Antivenin Program that donates expired antivenin to local veterinary hospitals. And according to Cruz, pets are often the ones to get themselves into some precarious situations, dogs especially.

"Its mostly dogs that get bit because they are sticking their nose where they shouldnt literally," said Cruz. "You will often see puncture marks on the face."

Since animals often sniff around, remember to look for these marks on both the faces of cats and dogs if you suspect they have been bitten. And although all snakes pose a threat to your furry companions, Cruz notes that cats often succumb to coral snake bites and dogs to those or larger snakes, such as the cottonmouth and eastern diamondback .

What to Do
Snake bites to your pet are often tricky and difficult to diagnose. Often, it is hard to know what your dog or cat has gotten into while outside, especially when they cannot verbalize the event. Despite this, there are usually some telltale signs of a snake bite.

According to Cruz, dogs will often express their pain with frequent barking or howling. The site of the bite will generally have swelling, discoloration, and bleeding. "Most people expect to see two puncture marks but many times there is only one," said Cruz.

Besides puncture marks on the face, Cruz says to check between the paws. Pets batting at a snake will often cause bites on their paws and limbs. Other symptoms of a snake bite in pets are lethargy, trouble breathing, muscle tremors and vomiting.

When your pet has been bitten, or you suspect they have been, the process is actually very similar to when a human has been bitten. And, according to Cruz, the sooner you address the problem the better.

"Automatically take it to the vet otherwise, youre playing Russian roulette," said Cruz. Healso advises that you do your homework to the best of your ability. "Document it as accurately as you see."

This means attempting to identify the type of snake or other animal that has bitten your pet. The more information that you can provide the better, more effective and swifter treatment will be. Although this often proves easier with humans, try and keep your pet calm as well. This means immobilizing both your pet and the infected area.

What not to do? DO NOT try and remove the venom by aspirating the wound, meaning do not try and withdraw the fluid by use of suction. Also, DO NOT apply tourniquets, cold packs or make incisions around the infected area.

There are ways to keep you, your family and your pets safer though. Cruz emphasizes maintenance of your environment to keep potentially dangerous snakes away. "Keep your landscaping clean to keep rodents away which keeps snakes away," Cruz said.

Being vigilant and aware of your environment also minimizes the potential for slithery critters to move into your yard or harm your pets. If you live near canals or water watch for cottonmouths. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake often calls pine flatwoods and scrub areas home. The smaller coral snake is usually found under debris. A well-kept yard minimizes the amount of things they can hide under.

Other Threats
Its not only venomous snakes that Cruz answers calls about. The giant toad, also known as the marine toad, is the largest of all frogs and toads in Florida. The invasive species are often found in pets mouths, bad news for the animal considering that the toads produce poison from glands behind their head.

The poison, a hallucinogen, is highly toxic to animals and dogs or cats will often die within a few hours of ingestion. "Remove the toad from the pets mouth, wash your hands and bring to the vet immediately," said Cruz.

Spiders and Africanized killer bees are also a threat to animals and humans in South Florida. In 2005 Cruz even responded to a case in which a Burmese python ate a pet Siamese cat in Miami Gardens, Fla.

According to The Associated Press article, Frances the 1-year-old Siamese cat ended up nothing but a bulge inside the 12-foot-long pythons stomach. The same article stated that it took Cruz and two other rescue workers 10 minutes to trap the snake in a king-size pillowcase.

What did Cruz have to say about the event? "He was very aggressive. He didnt want to be bothered," said Cruz in the article.

But in South Florida, and for Cruz, trapping pythons and dealing with venomous snakes, spiders and even giant toads seems to be all in a days work.