Home Remedy for Dogs Bitten by a Snake

Dogs are curious creatures, constantly sniffing around bushes and trees and in holes. They are always making themselves susceptible to other dangerous animals due to their unwavering need to investigate. Venomous snakes are one of these predators that threatens the safety of our furry friends. Learn how to treat a snake bite in case this emergency occurs at home.

  1. Tourniquet

    • Wrap the leg where the bite is with a piece of cloth, making a flat tourniquet. Wrap it tightly just above the bite marks to keep the poison from pumping through the blood to the heart. Any kind of material is OK for a tourniquet -- a bandage, T-shirt, or towel that can be torn into strips.

    Make Cuts

    • Use a knife or razor blade to cut 1/4-inch cuts parallel to the fang marks on the dog. If blood does not start oozing, loosen the tourniquet slightly until you see the blood appear. Apply your mouth to the wound, sucking up the venomous blood and then immediately spitting it out. Do this for 30 minutes.

    Administered Remedy

    • It is safe to make syringes of liquid vitamin C in a safety kit in case of a snake bite in a dog. You may also give your dog crushed vitamin C with water. Give your dog this vitamin C every 15 minutes until you can get him to a veterinarian. You may also try Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy or a homeopathic Aconite. Administer drops of this every five minutes to prevent shock.

    If All Else Fails...

    • Even though you are able to treat a snake bite at home to some extent, it is still safest to take the dog to a veterinarian for treatment. The vet will have special anti-venom treatments that he will be able to give the dog for immediate results. Don't let the dog move as you take him to the vet. Carry him instead of forcing him to walk; it will prevent the venom from entering his heart.