Instructions
Look for visible signs of a bite. If bitten, your dog will have two distinct fang marks at the bite site. Non-venomous snakes don't produce fang marks.
Check the bite site for swelling and oozing blood. Notice if your dog suffers from pain as a result of the bite.
Observe your dog for any change in behavior. Watch for drooling, rapid breathing or weakness. Other signs of copperhead bite include vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils and sudden collapsing.
How Do I Know If a Copperhead Bit My Dog?
People within the United States get bitten by copperheads more than any other snake species, according to Penn State University. In a healthy adult, a bite from a copperhead won't prove fatal. With small dogs however, a copperhead bite can kill. While some species of snakes, such as the rattlesnake, will give a warning to deter an animal from approaching, a copperhead will automatically strike when it feels threatened. Venom injected into your dog can create a host of symptoms.