Introduction:

Cats are hunters by nature & unfortunately not able to discriminate between harmful prey & non harmful prey. There are poisonous snakes throughout the world & it would be too hard to list poisonous snakes country by country so this article will aim to provide general information on snake bites, but not snake species specific to any one country.

Some snakes are non venomous, but will still bite a cat, causing pain & possibly infection. Others are venomous, and if bitten this can result in death. Immediate veterinary attention is vital.

The majority of snake bites occur on the cat's head, neck & legs. Bites on the body can happen, and tend to be more dangerous.

What is venom?

Venom is a toxin which is secreted from animals. This is used as a defensive mechanism against predators & also it is used to kill prey.

Symptoms of a snake bite

• Dilated pupils
• Muscle weakness
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rapid pulse
• Laboured breathing
• Coma

What to do if your cat is bitten by a snake?

If possible, try to identify the snake. However, don't waste time trying to locate the snake. If the snake is still in the area, do not approach it. Have a look at it from a distance, and make a note of it's appearance including colour, patterns & length. Even if the snake is dead, do not touch it as a dead snake can still retain a reflexive action for up to an hour after death.

Get your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

On the way to the veterinarian do the following:

• Remove the cat's collar
• Keep the bitten area lower than the heart.
• Keep the cat quiet & calm.
• Immobilise the area if possible.
• Apply a pressure bandage between the bite & the heart.
• If there is no heartbeat or pulse, administer CPR.

What NOT to do:

• Do NOT allow your cat to walk.
• Do NOT cut the bitten area.
• Do NOT attempt to suck the venom out of the bite.
• Do NOT apply a tourniquet.  

There seems to be conflicting advice on washing & applying ice to wounds, so speak to your veterinarian for advice on this.

Keeping snakes out of your garden:

• The best way to avoid snakes in your garden is to provide an environment which isn't attractive to snakes.
• Keep the garden free of long or overgrown plants.
• Keep the garden free of debris, such as corrugated iron, building materials, old junk etc.
• Keep your lawn short.
• Don't leave containers of water lying around.
• If you have a shed, keep it free or rodents.
• Remove fallen fruit from the ground as this encourages rodents, which will in turn encourage snakes.
• Avoid wood piles, especially in the summer months. If you do have a wood pile, make sure it is well away from your house & not accessible to your cats or children.
• Avoid rockeries, which provide an excellent habitat for snakes to hide.