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Temperature rising means snakes are more likely to be out and about in the Okanagan.
Fairfield Animal Hospital in Kelowna is gearing up to receive snake bite patients this summer, and have already treated eight so far this year.
Four cases were from West Kelowna and Penticton, and one case each came from Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Kaleden.
One such patient also came in for a rattlesnake bite last summer, almost one year to the day.
“Now that we are in rattlesnake season, we want to assure our clients that Fairfield Animal always has Antivenin on hand to treat your pets,” said the clinic.
The clinic added that sometimes pet parents come in knowing that their pet was bitten by a snake, and sometimes they find out during an exam after presenting with acute swelling and pain.
According to the veterinarian, dogs are most often bitten on the face or forelimbs as they approach the snake, so owners should check their toes, chest, neck, and “fluffy faces” for puncture wounds.
If your dog does get bitten this summer, you should return to you vehicle, call the clinic and safely and calmly make your way there.
Fairfield says that the rattlesnakes we see in the Okanagan are different from those in parts of the USA, and their venom is not nearly as toxic.
Last year, Fairfield treated 23 patients for rattlesnake bites, the majority of which were in July. However, cases also came up as late as Thanksgiving weekend in October, and as early as May.
The number of snakebites they treat every year mostly depends on the weather, and how hot it gets.
And, while they are only able to keep a limited supply of Antivenin due to strict import regulations, the clinic explains that they always plan ahead and don’t anticipate running out—Which is good if you happen to have a feisty or adventurous dog that likes to get into trouble!
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