Snake Bites in Dogs & Cats (Sydney): Act Fast - This Is an Emergency

Emergency: If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake, take your pet to your local vet or emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Keep your pet calm and carry them to the car. Do not chase the snake. If you can safely note the snake’s colour/patterns, do, but it is not essential (www.whatsnakeisthat.com.au) and do not attempt to catch or harm the snake (snakes are protected and killing them is illegal).

Australian venomous snakes can deliver a potentially fatal dose of toxin. Bites are commonly present in the head, neck, and front legs. A bite mark may not be visible (fangs leave tiny punctures that are easily missed), and pets may not yelp. Some dogs collapse, vomit, then appear normal again; this can still indicate a lethal dose of venom. Treat every suspicion as an emergency.

• Stay calm and keep your pet still to slow the spread through the lymphatic system.
• Carry your pet to the car; avoid walking if you can.
• If you know where the bite is and can do so quickly, apply a firm pressure-immobilisation bandage (as recommended for people) above, below and over the site - do not use a tourniquet or restrict blood flow.
• Remove the collar if the bite is to the face/neck (swellings can develop).
• Call ahead to your vet so they can prepare antivenom and equipment (not every clinic stocks antivenom).
• Transport immediately to the closest veterinary clinic or emergency hospital.

Do not: chase or kill the snake, try to suck out venom, clean the wound, or waste time looking for bite marks.

If your pet was near a snake, assume they may have been bitten and seek care. Signs can vary with the species of snake and the individual pet, and may be delayed up to 24 hours. Watch for:

• Sudden collapse followed by apparent recovery
• Weakness or wobbliness (ataxia), especially hind-leg weakness
• Muscle tremors/shaking, reduced blinking
• Pale gums, dilated pupils, drooling, panting
• Restlessness, pacing, anxiety
• Vomiting; difficulty breathing
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or bite site (can be a late sign)
• Discoloured/dark urine (often bloody)
• Loss of bladder/bowel control, progressing to paralysis
• Coma or sudden death in severe cases

Important: Most bite sites are not obvious. The absence of a visible wound does not rule out a snake bite.

A firm pressure-immobilisation bandage can slow the lymphatic spread of venom if applied quickly and correctly. However:

• Do not apply a tourniquet or cut off the blood supply.
• Do not attempt to clean, cut, or suction the bite.
• Do not encourage your pet to walk - movement spreads venom faster.

If you’re unsure where the bite is, skip the bandage and focus on keeping your pet still and getting to your vet or emergency veterinary hospital.

Snake envenomation is treated as a top emergency. On arrival, your pet may be taken straight through for immediate care. If taken to the VSOS emergency hospital, we will:

• Assess and test: Perform coagulation tests and, where timing is appropriate, use a urine snake detection kit to help identify the likely venom type. (A negative test doesn’t always rule out a bite due to timing.)

• Stabilise and support: Start oxygen and IV access, then tailor care; antivenom is given when indicated based on the presentation and test results.

• Manage clotting issues: Monitor and treat coagulation problems—venom can stop blood from clotting and cause internal bleeding (e.g., chest, mouth, nose). Some pets need plasma or blood transfusions.

• Provide intensive care when needed: Offer close nursing, ICU monitoring and, in severe cases, ventilatory support.

• Coordinate with your primary vet: If you first attend your local vet, they will assess and stabilise your pet and can liaise with VSOS for transfer if advanced monitoring, antivenom options, or ICU care are required.

Call ahead en route if going to your local vet to make sure they have the antivenom in stock.

Both cats and dogs are at risk. Dogs are more likely to interact with snakes and may be bitten during chase/play. Cats may stalk snakes in long grass. Clinical signs overlap; in either species, assume the worst and act fast.

Australia’s climate and landscape mean snakes can appear in suburban back gardens, especially in spring and summer or during hot, dry conditions. Reduce risk by:

• Clearing scrubby/bushy areas; keep lawns mown
• Removing food sources that attract rodents (a snake’s prey)
• Tidying sheds, wood piles, junk piles, and empty pots
• Observing animal and wildlife cues: noisy birds, cats stalking ground prey, and dogs fixated on one spot in the yard can all hint at snake activity

When outside, keep pets supervised, especially during the heat of the day.

How can I tell if my pet was bitten if I didn’t see it?

You often can’t tell from appearance alone. Bite marks are tiny and easily missed. If your pet was near a snake or shows any signs above, go straight to the vet emergency hospital - prompt treatment saves lives.

Should I bring the snake for identification?

No. It is dangerous and illegal to harm protected snakes. If safe, note colour/patterns and mention them to your vet. Identification is best done using a venom detection kit at the clinic.

How quickly can a snake bite kill a dog or cat?

It depends on snake species, venom dose, and time to antivenom. Respiratory paralysis can develop within 1-24 hours. That’s why immediate veterinary care is essential.

Will my local vet have antivenom?

Not all vets have all the antivenoms. At VSOS, we have both the brown and multi brown, which cover most of the snakes found here in Sydney. 

• Assume a bite if your pet was near a snake - don’t wait for symptoms
• Keep calm, keep still, carry to the car
• No tourniquets, no wound cleaning, no chasing snakes
• Apply a firm pressure-immobilisation bandage only if you know the site and can do it quickly

Call ahead and come immediately

With Australian snakes, time is everything. If you’ve seen a snake near your dog or cat, or your pet shows any concerning signs, treat it as an emergency. Keep them still, call your local vet or the vet emergency hospital,and come straight in. Early treatment with the right care, including antivenom where indicated, can make all the difference.