Episode 16 – Snake Bites and Your Pet with Dr. Leah Simons

Picture this: You’re out for a morning hike with your dog, or your cat is exploring the backyard. Suddenly, your pet yelps, jumps back, and you notice something’s wrong. Could it be a snake bite? And if it is, do you know what to do?

All snake bites are medical emergencies. Whether venomous or not, every second counts, and the actions you take in those first few minutes can make all the difference. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Simons, an emergency veterinarian in our Richmond location. Dr. Simons has treated numerous snake bite victims and tells us everything we need to know—from recognizing the signs of a venomous snake bite, to what we should never do, to why getting to an emergency vet like Partner is your pet’s best chance at survival.

So, whether you live in snake country or just want to be prepared, listen in. This conversation could be the one that saves your furry family member’s life.

What You’ll Learn?

What time of year should I worry about snakes?
Are there precautions I can take?
How do I know if my pet was bitten by a venomous snake?
What does snake venom do to my pet?
What are the dos and don’ts if I think my pet was bitten?
Does Partner have antivenom on hand at all times?
What are the key takeaways when it comes to keeping pets safe from snakes?  

[Music]

Narrator:

Host: Welcome back to “Did You Know?”—the podcast by Partner Veterinary. In this series, we dive into everything veterinary medicine, and everything Partner. Every episode, we tackle some of the most common questions we hear, from HR topics to emergencies and everything in between. If it happens at Partner, we’ll talk about it.

Picture this: you’re out for a morning hike with your dog, or your cat is exploring the backyard. Suddenly, your pet yelps, jumps back, and you notice something’s wrong. Could it be a snake bite? And if it is, do you know what to do? All snake bites are medical emergencies. Whether the snake is venomous or not, every second counts, and the actions you take in those first few minutes can make all the difference.

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Leah Simons, an emergency veterinarian at our Richmond location. Dr. Simons has treated numerous snake bite victims and will tell us everything we need to know — from recognizing the signs of a venomous snake bite to what you should never do, and why getting to an emergency vet like Partner is your pet’s best chance at survival.

Dr. Leah Simons:

My name is Dr. Leah Simons. I graduated from Cornell University in 2014 with my degree in veterinary medicine, then completed a small animal rotating internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey. After that, I moved to Richmond and started working as an emergency vet here, bouncing around to different general practices and ERs, and eventually ended up at Partner.

Jen Mellace:

Thank you so much for joining us today, Dr. Simons.

Dr. Leah Simons:

Thank you for having me.

Jen Mellace:

What brought you to Partner?

Dr. Leah Simons:

I was a relief veterinarian for several years before I joined Partner, which means I bounced around to different clinics doing freelance work and filling in when emergency doctors were needed — like when someone was out sick, on maternity leave, or if the clinic was short-staffed. I started working at Partner when they opened their Richmond ER hospital. I think my first shift was their second day open. Over time, I picked up more and more shifts, really enjoyed the staff and environment, and appreciated how much we do for pets and their families, plus the good quality medicine. That’s what made me stay and eventually sign on full-time.

Jen Mellace:

Wonderful. We’re so grateful to have you on the team.

Dr. Leah Simons:

Thank you.

Jen Mellace:

Today we’re talking about snake bites. It seems like we’ve had a lot of pets coming in with snake bites recently, which prompted this discussion. Before we begin, is it normal to see this many snake bites? How many do you typically see in Richmond per year or during peak snake season?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Snake bite season is definitely a thing. I don’t know the exact number, but I recently checked how many doses of antivenom we’ve given — it’s about 20 doses a month. Those are for the more severe snake bites, so we probably see quite a few more than that; not all bites need antivenom. But yes, this is definitely the time of year when we see more snake bites, mostly during the warmer months. I think more people are aware of snake bites now and are seeking veterinary attention faster, rather than just waiting at home. There’s also more availability of emergency care and antivenom, and more doctors who are skilled at treating these cases. So, more people are bringing their pets to us, which is great. Another factor is climate change; warmer weather means snake bite season starts earlier in the year and ends later. For example, our first snake bite this year was in March, which is earlier than usual.

Jen Mellace:

That’s good to know. Today, we’re going to talk about the dos and don’ts for when a pet is bitten by a snake — or when an owner thinks their pet has been bitten. What precautions can people take?

Dr. Leah Simons:

The venomous snakes we see most commonly in this area are copperheads. Occasionally, we see water moccasins or rattlesnakes, but those are much less common. Most of these snakes are just going about their business — their bites are a defense mechanism. Usually, it’s our pets being curious: poking their noses or paws where they shouldn’t. Most bites happen when dogs are outside off-leash and unsupervised, or with outdoor cats. Occasionally, bites happen when owners are walking their pets and let them root around in the bushes. The best prevention is avoidance — supervising your pets, keeping dogs on a leash, discouraging them from sticking their noses or paws where they shouldn’t. If you’re worried about venomous snakes on your property, there are businesses that can safely relocate snakes. Also, walk in well-lit areas, use flashlights at night, and wear boots on walks to protect yourself.

Jen Mellace:

That’s a really good point. I hike a lot with my dogs — sometimes they’re on leash, sometimes off, depending on where we are. This conversation is making me rethink that, especially in the warmer months. I did some research before this episode, and I think I might need to keep them closer to me.

Dr. Leah Simons:

There’s also avoidance training. Some trainers offer classes that teach pets to detect and avoid snakes, using positive reinforcement. If you hike or spend time outdoors with your pets, that’s something you can look into. Once a pet is bitten, especially in the wild, there’s not much you can do except get them to care as fast as possible.

Jen Mellace:

That’s good to know — that there are proactive options out there. How do people know if their pet was bitten by a venomous snake? What’s the best way for them to tell?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Honestly, you usually don’t know for sure. A lot of pet parents aren’t sure what to look for, and lots of things can mimic a snake bite — other animal bites, stings, or even abscesses. Cats, for example, often come in with swollen, painful paws that could be from an abscess or a snake bite. The hallmarks of a snake bite are a sudden, painful, swollen, and sometimes bruised area. Usually, your pet will act strange — dogs might come inside with a swollen face, be painful, not want to eat, or not want to be touched. Swelling often progresses rapidly. Most commonly, dogs are bitten on the muzzle or front paws, since they’re usually the ones going after the snake. With cats, it’s usually the front paws, since they’ll try to bat at the snake. Sometimes you’ll see fang marks, but not always. The best thing is to bring your pet in — we see these cases all the time and know what to look for. We can also do blood work to help determine if your pet has been envenomated.

Jen Mellace:

So, you can do blood work to check for snake bites?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Yes, although there’s not a specific test for venom or how much your pet received. People often ask if there’s a test that can confirm the type of snake or amount of venom — there isn’t. But we can look for characteristic changes in red blood cells on a blood smear that make us more suspicious for a snake bite versus something else. Abscesses, for example, often come with fever and pus, and there are other clinical signs that might point away from a snake bite.

Jen Mellace:

What does venom do to pets?

Dr. Leah Simons:

A lot, unfortunately. Locally, venom causes cell destruction, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes tissue death. The venom also circulates throughout the body, potentially causing widespread effects. Pets with underlying issues — pregnancy, kidney disease, immune issues, cancer — are at higher risk for complications. Infection at the bite site is rare, but because of tissue damage, it can happen. The biggest concern, though, is bleeding disorders. Snake venom can cause a condition called venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy, which basically means your pet’s blood can’t clot properly. That’s why we check for clotting problems and, if needed, give antivenom to counteract those effects.

Jen Mellace:

What should people do if they think their pet has been bitten by a venomous snake? What are the steps they need to take?

Dr. Leah Simons:

If you suspect your pet was bitten — even if you’re not sure or don’t see swelling — bring them in right away. The most important things we do are pain management, keeping the pet hydrated, monitoring the bite site, and running blood work to check for clotting problems. The effects of venom can change over several hours, so even pets who seem okay at first can worsen quickly. It’s important we see and monitor them as soon as possible. Even pets with “dry” bites (no venom injected) should still be monitored for a period of time.

Jen Mellace:

And if your pet is wearing a collar, should you take it off right away?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Yes. Since dogs are often bitten on the face, remove any collars or restrictive clothing to allow for swelling. We don’t want to compromise their airway or make them more uncomfortable.

Jen Mellace:

The internet is full of information — some good, some not so good. What about home remedies like icing the bite, applying a tourniquet, suction, or giving medicines like antihistamines? Are any of these good ideas, or do they fall under what not to do?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Please don’t do any of those things. The internet is full of misinformation about snake bites, probably because these incidents often happen in areas where people don’t have quick access to medical care. People want to help their pets, but unfortunately, none of those home remedies are safe or recommended. Some can even be harmful. Old advice like keeping the bite below the heart or using a tourniquet to block blood flow — those are no longer recommended. Cutting off blood flow can actually make things worse. Devices meant to suction out venom are not helpful; studies show they remove less than 2% of venom. Medications like antihistamines, steroids, or antibiotics aren’t helpful either. Snake bites aren’t histamine responses, so antihistamines do nothing. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can be harmful because they can interfere with clotting, which we’re already worried about. The best thing you can do is get your pet to a vet for medical care. At home, just remove collars, keep your pet calm, and get them to the hospital as fast as possible.

Jen Mellace:

And time is of the essence — the faster you get to a vet, the better.

Dr. Leah Simons:

Yes, and ideally, get to an emergency vet. Not all primary care vets are equipped to handle snake bites or may not carry antivenom. It’s a good idea to look up where your closest emergency hospital is and whether they have antivenom. If Partner is your closest hospital, even if it’s a little farther than your regular vet, it’s worth making the extra trip.

Jen Mellace:

And Partner does carry antivenom at all times?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Yes, we always have antivenom on hand. It’s a powerful medication and one of the few true antidotes we have in veterinary medicine. Antivenom is made by exposing horses to small amounts of snake venom, collecting their blood, and extracting the antibodies, which we then infuse into your pet. It helps neutralize the venom, treats the pain and swelling, and corrects blood work abnormalities. It’s most effective within the first six hours after a bite, but can still be helpful if given later.

Jen Mellace:

When someone brings their pet in, what can they expect from start to finish, and what about aftercare?

Dr. Leah Simons:

When a pet comes in with a suspected snake bite, we triage them as a critical patient. We’ll ask permission to give pain medication and to draw blood for testing. We often mark or shave the area of the bite for monitoring. Baseline blood work is done to check red and white blood cells, platelets, and clotting factors. We usually recommend hospitalization for monitoring, as the effects of venom can change over time. Hospitalization allows us to keep your pet on IV fluids, provide pain medication, and check the bite site and blood work every four to six hours. Indications for antivenom include severe pain or swelling, bites in dangerous areas (like the eye, tongue, or airway), or blood work abnormalities. The antivenom is given by IV over about an hour, and most pets feel much better afterward — many don’t even need pain meds after. Most can go home the next day or within 12 hours. For pets who don’t get antivenom or aren’t hospitalized, we recommend follow-up blood work at 12 and 24 hours post-bite.

Jen Mellace:

Are there any long-term effects from snake bites that pet owners should be aware of?

Dr. Leah Simons:

Not usually. Occasionally, there can be delayed complications like infection or tissue death at the bite site, which might require surgery. Pets that receive antivenom can rarely develop a delayed hypersensitivity reaction called “serum sickness” about two weeks later — in people, this looks like a rash and fever; in pets, it’s usually joint pain and fever, which we can treat with anti-inflammatories. Overall, there are no documented long-term effects in pets when snake bites are treated appropriately, but it’s possible pets experience lasting pain or issues they can’t tell us about, which is another reason I prefer to give antivenom when needed.

Jen Mellace:

What would you say are the main takeaways when it comes to keeping pets safe from snakes?

Dr. Leah Simons:

The biggest thing is learning to coexist with snakes — they’re an important part of our ecosystem, and most aren’t trying to hurt us. Be aware of the risks, supervise your pets, and know what to look for. Snake bites can be expensive to treat, so having an emergency fund or pet insurance can make a big difference. There is no safe at-home treatment for snake bites — the best thing you can do is get your pet to an emergency hospital. We’re well-equipped to handle these cases and see them every day. We can help you, so just come to us if you need us.

Jen Mellace:

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us about this.

Dr. Leah Simons:

Thank you.

Narrator:

“Thank you for listening to ‘Did You Know?’ Is there something about Partner that you want to know? Email us at [email protected]. Who knows? We might turn your question into an entire episode! And you can now find us wherever you listen to all of your other favorite podcasts. Subscribe now!”