The Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson informs us they just recently treated six dogs in a 12-hour period for snakebite.

Yikes. Not good.

They asked us to post these tips:

What to Watch For:
• Puncture marks oozing blood
• Rapid swelling and pain at the site of the bite
• Rapid breathing, weakness, collapse
• Pale gums, drooling

What to Do:
• If your pet has been bitten, seek veterinary care immediately
• Keep your pet calm. Limit activity.
• DO NOT apply a tourniquet or ice, which can cut off circulation and worsen the injury.
• DO NOT attempt to suck the venom out of the bite: you could be injured or cause serious infection.
• DO NOT give your pet any human medications.

Veterinary Care
Antivenin is usually recommended to neutralize the venom. Your pet may also be treated for shock, pain, infection, and could require hospitalization if the bite is severe. (Rattlesnake venom contains anti-coagulants and enzymes that damage blood vessels and tissue, and can cause the blood pressure to drop dangerously low.)

*24 Hour Pet Emergency Care: 520-795-9955
The Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson is located at 4909 N La Canada Drive (River and La Canada).