Hey Woofa’s,

Yay Summer has finally arrived!!!

While the media seem to be screaming that we’re in a heatwave, we are NOT!  This is normal summer weather!  Nice and hot.

However, I’m not the only one who loves this weather!  Snakes do as well!  I always say I was a reptile (or a Bear) in a previous life because I love hot weather over cold weather any day!

Like anything living on this planet, snakes need to eat, drink, sun themselves, cool themselves down, protect themselves and survive the best way they know how.

Snakes thrive in summer, therefore it’s up to us to be aware of this.

The reason why I’m covering this topic is because lately I’ve heard quite a few stories of pets dying from snake bites or nearly being eaten.

 

FIFI’S STORY

Dean’s Aunty and Uncle live in Queensland, their house backs onto bushland.

Their dog is Fifi, she’s a 12 year old Foxy Terrier.

Each night before bed they let Fifi out to go to the toilet.  During the Christmas break they did this like they do every other night.

Only this night about 5 minutes after Fifi had been let outside, they heard her scream.  Something they’ve never heard her do EVER!

They rushed out the back to find Fifi with a python snake wrapped around her and dragging her down into the bushland.

Pythons crush and consume, so this snake was about to crush Fifi and his head was about to bite over Fifi’s nose.

Needless to say the adrenaline kicked in and both Dean’s Aunty and Uncle ran to her and managed to pull the snake off her, yes they got bitten, and take her inside.

THANKFULLY, the crushing hadn’t started and apart from being shaken up Fifi was okay.

After this incident, they started escorting Fifi out to the toilet and stayed with her while she was out there.

WELL the snake came back to try again didn’t it, it came out of nowhere and started for Fifi again!!

I’m happy to say Fifi is okay and they are definitely on snake alert.

 

LOCAL SNAKE STORIES!

It’s easy to say, well that’s in Queensland, I live in NSW, it won’t happen here.

I’ve had customers tell me, in our local area snakes have been spotted.

One customer, in suburbia, wraps his legs in newspaper then puts his welly boots on before going into his backyard where his bushy gardens are, JUST IN CASE.  Because a snake was spotted in his area.

Other friends of Dean’s, cat got bitten by a snake and passed away.  They don’t live too far from us either.

Another customer of mine said her neighbours dog was killed by a snake and they’re only in the suburb over from us.

It’s SNAKE SEASON, they are out and about, so BE AWARE!

 

HOW  TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE THIS SNAKE SEASON?

 

1 – Snakes In Water!

While snakes love the heat, they still need water to cool down.   They’re out looking for water right now.

If you have a pool, ponds, fountains, dams, or any sort of water in your yard be aware before jumping in and taking a swim.

Even your dog’s water bowl might be at risk.

 

2 – While You’re Out and About!

Years ago our neighbour had been out on a summer picnic with family and friends.

About an hour after they got home, he knocked on our door white as a sheet.  A snake had crawled up under his car while they were out and was now slithering around his garage.

Most of us are scared of snakes, this guy was petrified.

So, while you’re out and about be aware of where your car is parked.

If you’re swimming in a natural water hole or river or creek, keep your eyes peeled.

While you’re out Bush Walking, snakes curl up on rocks in the sun, or lay between them, slither in the grass, keep your eyes and ears open.

 

3 – Know Your Dog’s Behaviour!

Be aware, if your dog suddenly becomes interested in something in the garden, or under a stack of something or while you’re out and about, and won’t leave it alone.

Guaranteed it could be a snake.

Granted we also have Blue Tongue Lizards .

The lizards blue tongues and have legs so they’re easy to identify.

We leave the Blue Tongues alone, they’re fine.  However, dogs being hunters, I’ve heard of a few dogs, including Billy, having ended a few Lizards lives : (

 

4 –  Identify it and Report It!

If you do see a snake anywhere near your area, stay away from it but try to identify it.

If you can, call WIRES or the local snake person to let them know.

They are trained to collect them and have the appropriate equipment for removal.

 

5 – Know Which Snake!

Generally, Red Bellied Black Snakes  won’t attack unless they are attacked or feel in danger first.  I’ve walked right by one (only 30 centimetres away) before and never got attacked.

It’s the Brown Snakes that will strike up at you.  So if your dog finds one and barks in it’s face, guaranteed a fight will begin.

We had a Red Belly in the front yard once and I watched it all day sliver in and out of the pond.

It would start on the rock, then go into the water, then back up on the rock.  Once the sun went down it slivered off and only struck out once the birds started to attack it.

I also have a friend that got bitten by a Brown Snake, she was clearing away tree branches and it bit her on the ankle.

Then chased her and her husband as they tried to get into the car.

They eventually got to hospital, once the anti venom was given and a week of blood tests to make sure the venom was out of her system, she was okay.  The Browns will attack and give chase.

So try to keep your dog away from any snake until someone can come and remove it.

Here is another site of Australia’s 10 Most Dangerous Snakes!

 

6 – Snake Fight!

If your dog does start something with a snake be very careful, if you distract your dog away from the fight it could be the moment the snake bites it.

Some dogs will be successful but some also come out worse for wear.

This is something we want to try to avoid.

We had a staffy Bonnie, who was outside with kids.  A Snake came up near the kids and Bonnie attacked the snake.  Sadly, though it bit her too many times on the throat and she passed away.

She died a HERO because she saved the kids from the snake.

 

7 – Anti – Venom!

It’s best to keep the number to the local 24 hour VET on hand and to find out whether they keep anti-venom.

If they don’t, find out off them the closest VET who does store it.

Knowing this information could really make a difference.

 

8 – Signs to look for!

If your dog is bitten it will show

1. Weakness;
2. Collapse;
3. Shaking;
4. Vomiting;
5. Blood in the Urine;
6. Dilated Pupils and;
7. Paralysis.

9 – What to do if your dog has been bitten!

1. Immobilise them and keep them as still as possible;
2. Wrap them in a Towel, if needed;
3. Call the Local 24 hour vet, find out who has the anti venom;
4. Try to identify what colour the snake was;
5. Take them to the vet with the anti- venom ASAP.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Be Aware, Be Vigilant!

I don’t want to scare anyone, the purpose of this post is to be aware.

Even when walking your dog be aware of your surroundings.

We want everyone to be cool and safe this Summer.

 

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HOW YOU’RE STAYING SAFE FROM SNAKES?