Getting out for walks should be an opportunity for you and your four-legged friend to spend some quality time together! During spring and summer, however, there might be a more unusual hazard out there – snakes! While adder bites in dogs aren’t common, they can be expensive! Last year, our largest claim paid for vet’s fees following an adder bite was £5,138.14*! At The Insurance Emporium, we want all pups to remain safe, which is why we’re helping you stay prepared with our essential information for dog owners about adder bites!
Know the enemy!
The only venomous snake native to the UK, adders are easy to recognise, due to the distinctive black or brown zigzag pattern on their backs. They hibernate during winter, usually waking up in April – so this is the time you might want to start looking out for them!
Prime location
Most commonly found in the south of England, western Wales and Scotland, adders’ preferred habitats are sand dunes, hillsides, moorland and the edge of woodland. They can be more active in the afternoons, as this is when they’ve absorbed enough heat from sunlight to get on the move!
A word of warning
If your dog encounters an adder, try not to hurt the snake while defending your pet. The snakes are protected by UK law, so it’s illegal to intentionally injure or kill one. It might be difficult if you suspect an adder is about to attack your pup, but a bit of caution might be best if you’re considering getting close to a snake.
Stay alert!
It’s important to know the signs if you suspect your dog has been bitten by an adder! Whilst the recovery rate from an adder bite is high, it can be dangerous. Main things to look out for are swelling and pain around the bite site. There may also be bleeding, bruising and lameness; your dog might also display signs of nervousness.
Call to action!
If you notice symptoms of poisoning in your dog, make sure to contact your vet as soon as possible. Early medical treatment can make all the difference. You might also want to carry your dog, which could reduce the spread of venom, as well as bathing the wound in cold water to reduce swelling.
The road to recovery
Most dogs poisoned by an adder bite survive, although this can depend on how quickly they receive treatment. Dogs might be given pain relief, and anti-venom therapy if available. They could also be required to stay overnight at the vets until out of immediate danger.
We hope your dog never gets bitten by an adder, but our guide on how to spot the signs and deal with them could be of use in such an unfortunate event. When taking your pooch out on your adventures, it might help give you peace of mind to know they’re protected by dog insurance. The Insurance Emporium offer five different types of Dog Insurance policies, with a range of Standard and Optional Benefits. What’s more, you could get a 30% discount^! Head to The Insurance Emporium to find out if they have the paw-fect cover for your pup!
* The largest claim from a total of three paid out between April 2018 and October 2018.
^ The 30% discount is made up of 20% Introductory Discount plus 10% Multi-pet Discount (if appropriate). The Introductory Discount is available for the first 12 premium payments on lunar and calendar monthly policies or one premium payment on annual policies.
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