Snake warning after dog bitten in County Durham
North East vets warn of dangers to pets.
Westway Veterinary Group here in the North East, is warning dog walkers to be extra vigilant after a family pet was bitten by an adder in County Durham.
Hooch, a Dogue de Bordeaux, was attacked by the snake while walking with his owners Karen Forster and Dean Lowden at Derwent Reservoir.
But it was only when they returned to their home in Blackhill, near Consett, that they realised Hooch had been bitten after they noticed a swelling the size of a tennis ball on his face.
They took him to Value Vets in Consett before he was transferred to the Westway Group's main hospital at West Road in Newcastle. Thankfully quick-thinking staff were able to source life-saving anti-venom to inject into Hooch.
The poorly dog spent three days in hospital, but is recovering from his ordeal at home.
Karen said: “It was a real shock and people need to be aware that there are adders out there in the countryside.I’m very concerned that children and small dogs might be in danger. I noticed Hooch was quiet when we got home from the walk, but thought it was just because it was a warm day. At first I thought he had a tennis ball in his mouth, but when I looked closer, there was a huge swelling on his cheek and down his neck.”
Westway Veterinary Group is warning pet owners to take extra care when walking their dogs during the summer when warmer weather brings snakes out into the open.
Westway Head Nurse Kay Sanderson said: “This case is fortunately very rare, but owners should be aware that there are snakes out there in the countryside and we do get the odd dog coming in after being bitten during the summer. With Hooch, it was very serious because he was bitten on the face and it meant the swelling could affect the airways. He was in considerable discomfort and needed to be on intravenous fluids and pain relief. His temperature also dropped significantly because his body went into shock.”
It's thought Hooch will make a full recover.