Only 31 per cent of dogs survive being bitten by an eastern brown snake without antivenom, while 66 per cent of cats survive. The reasons behind the higher survival rate for cats if they receive antivenom treatment have been a mystery. The study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), is the first to look at the survival rates of cats and dogs with snakebites in a controlled environment.
The study was carried out by a team of researchers from the University of California, Davis, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, Maryland, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Animal Health and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AHVDL) at Johns Hopkins University School of Veterinary Medicine in Baltimore, Md., and other institutions.
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What happens if a cat is bitten by a snake?
It takes most cats a minimum of one to two days to recover from a venomous snake bite. Venom bites can be fatal if treatment isn’t given immediately. The cat should be monitored after being discharged from the hospital to make sure it doesn’t get worse.
How long will a cat live after a snake bite?
If a cat is bitten by a venomous snake, it can live for 8 to 12 hours. More than 80% of cats survive a snake bite if they get prompt medical care. The first thing you should do if you suspect your cat has been bitten is to call your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination of the wound to determine if the snake bit the cat.
If the veterinarian determines that the bite was from a poisonous snake, he or she will administer an antidote. The antidote is usually given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) to prevent the animal from becoming dehydrated and/or suffering from severe pain. In some cases, the antidote can be given orally (oral) as well, but this is not recommended for cats with a history of ingesting snake venom.
Can you give a cat Benadryl for a snake bite?
Reduce swelling with a cold compress and administer over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Benadryl, in the amount of 1 mg per pound of weight (so a 10-pound cat should be given 1.5 mg/lb of body weight). If your cat has a history of allergies, consult your veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet.
What should I do if my cat has been bitten?
If you know that your cat has been in a fight, notify your veterinarian immediately. Antibiotics can be given within a day or two to stop the spread of infections. Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.
The virus can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with the saliva or mucous membranes of a rabid animal, or by inhalation of the virus.
If your pet has recently been bitten by an animal that may have been rabid, it is important that you take steps to prevent exposure to the animal’s saliva, such as washing your hands with soap and water immediately after handling the pet.
Can cats survive venomous snakes?
Snakebites should be treated with IV fluids, pain medications, antibiotics and supportive care. In severe cases, antivenin may be used. Cats are twice as likely to survive a venomous snakebite as dogs, according to a recent study in Australia.
How long does it take for snake bite symptoms to show?
This can lead to swelling at the wound and all the way up the leg. The pain can be so intense that you may not be able to walk for a few days or even weeks. You may also have a fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
