Tails out, scales out - it's snake season! 

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With the return of the sun and warming weather comes an unwelcome visitor -the venomous snake! 

Here are some simple things to think about when trying to keep your pets safe this summer:

- Unsupervised access to snake environments is the biggest but at least often controllable factor in snake fatalities. Use a secure dog run (with a shade cloth skirt around wire fencing to prevent unwanted snakes wandering in), crate, or keep pets securely inside if they are trained and comfortable whilst they are not being supervised by the family 

- The early signs of snake envenomation include: lethargy, vomiting, incoordination, flaccid weakness, bleeding unusually and collapse. IF a pet has had access to possible snake exposure and shows any of these signs or is just ‘not quite right’ the best action is to head to a vet clinic for assessment and call them to allow them to be ready on your way 

- If you witness a pet bitten by a snake. Keep them as still and calm as you can and head straight into a veterinary clinic. Depending on the species, venom can be lethal in less than 30 minutes 

- Reducing snake friendly environments in your pets yards by having well trimmed lawns (including for 5 metres outside of the fence line) and reducing dense low lying scrubs and bushes that can tempt snakes in as they feel hidden and have prey in them to hunt

- Treatment for snake envenomation is an expensive pet emergency. Planning for this with funds set aside will save on time in the event of an emergency, it helps to think and talk about your wishes as a family now and hopefully never need to act on them

This is your reminder that the sun is out, the grass is growing... and snakes are slithering - stay safe with your pets this season.

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