Snake bites in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

See a vet now

This is an emergency – contact your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Snake bites in dogs are an emergency that can be life-threatening.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet or the nearest emergency vet now.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not try to treat the bite at home.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Snake bites are an emergency for dogs, so they need veterinary attention as soon as possible.^[1] Weakness and wobbling can be very severe and potentially life-threatening.^[1]

Signs

Pain and swelling around the bite
Limping, if bitten on a leg
A few tiny bite marks
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Pale gums
Panting
Drooling
Weakness and wobbling
Swelling to the face or neck
Difficulty breathing

How vets treat it

Surgery
Antibiotics
Pain relief
Fluids/drip

What the experts say

“If your dog has been bitten by a snake, it’s important they are seen by a vet ASAP, don’t attempt to treat them at home. Treatment will depend on the symptoms they develop, but as a start, is likely to involve: Strong pain relief.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

Are snake bites in dogs an emergency?

Yes. Snake bites are an emergency, and a dog that has been bitten should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.^[1]

What signs can a dog have after a snake bite?

Signs can include pain and swelling around the bite, limping, vomiting and diarrhoea, pale gums, panting, drooling, weakness and wobbling, swelling to the face or neck, bruising, abnormal bleeding, tremors, seizures or difficulty breathing.^[1]

What might a vet use first to treat a snake bite?

Treatment depends on the symptoms a dog develops, but a vet may start with strong pain relief.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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