Every year as the weather warms up, dog owners start to nervously worry that they might come across an adder while walking in the countryside. The adder (Vipera berus) is the only native venomous snake in Britain and is responsible for many rushed trips to the vet when curious dogs get a bit too close to this otherwise timid and non-aggressive snake.

Most adder bites occur between April and July and more often in the afternoon of warm, sunny days when the snakes are most active.

Nearly all dogs bitten by snakes will develop local signs at the site of an adder bite and most bites tend to be on the muzzle or end of a limb. Swelling and oedema usually occurs within minutes to two hours after the bite. The poison from an adder bite can also cause internal/systemic signs such as fever, lethargy, drooling, nausea and weakness. In rare circumstances the internal reaction can be serious enough to cause shock, organ damage, heart rhythm disorders, seizures and very occasionally death.

Symptoms are usually not life-threatening
Fortunately, the majority of the time the symptoms, while serious, are usually not life-threatening and respond quickly to treatment. In those rare occasions where an animal is critically unwell, an anti-venom can be administered.

If your dog is bitten by a snake, keep calm, try to keep your dog quiet, get to your local vet as quickly as possible and be reassured that the vast majority of dogs that get bitten by adders recover completely with prompt veterinary attention.

Occasionally something positive can come from a nasty snake bite. I still remember treating a Labrador that had been bitten by a snake on Cleeve Hill nearly eleven years ago. The fact that I later married the lovely lady who brought the dog in probably has something to do with why I feel just a little bit of gratitude towards these otherwise feared, fanged reptiles!