Snake Season! What to Know to Keep Your Dog Safe From Snakes in San Diego
Oh, for goodness snakes! As if there aren’t enough hazards out there for you and your dog, the San Diego area is also home to snakes — and you should be prepared for an encounter, and know what to do if your dog comes into contact with a rattlesnake.
Snakes can be scary, especially venomous species like rattlesnakes. Fortunately, it’s unlikely that you’ll run into one — unless you go out of your way and venture into their territories. But it does happen, and in a warm, dry place like Southern California, rattlesnakes and other types of snakes are fairly common.
What types of snakes live in San Diego?
While rattlesnakes are likely your main concern as a pet owner (and human being!), they’re not the only types of snakes that live in San Diego. The good news is that they’re the only type of venomous snake in the area. Here’s a rundown of the types of snakes that you may find in the region:
Rattlesnakes
There are actually several varieties of rattlesnakes in the San Diego region, and the most common are the Western Rattlesnake, the Speckled Rattlesnake, the Red Diamond Rattlesnake, and the Sidewinder — the latter of which is usually only found way out in the desert. Again, these are the venomous fellas you’ll want to look out for, and if you have a run-in with one of them with your pet, you’ll need to take immediate action. More on that in a minute.
Gopher Snakes
Gopher snakes are another type of snake found in the area, but they’re harmless. They can be big, however, growing to more than five feet in length. They may also look a bit like a rattlesnake, sans rattle. They tend to eat small animals, and shouldn’t pose much of a threat to most dogs
King Snakes
King Snakes are also around, and they’re also harmless. They, too, can get big, and like Gopher Snakes, tend to eat small animals — they even eat rattlesnakes, too.
Others
There are actually dozens of snake species in the area, but again, rattlesnakes are the only venomous type that you should worry about. Among the other varieties are garter snakes, Striped Racers, Red Racers, Glossy Snakes, and even the aptly named San Diego Nightsnake.
What to do if your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake
If your dog does run into a rattlesnake and is bitten, you should immediately get them to a veterinarian for attention. You may need to even go to a specialty clinic for anti-venom treatment. Obviously, this can be a scary situation, but do your best to stay calm and get your dog away from the snake (if need be), and examine them for puncture wounds.
If your dog is bitten, you’ll likely find the area swelling — and remember that just because your dog was bitten, it doesn’t mean that any venom was released. You’ll still need to take immediate action, as rattlesnake venom can have debilitating effects, such as muscle tremors, breathing problems, and more. And if it isn’t clear, yes, a rattlesnake bite can be fatal.
Every year, around 150,000 pets are bitten by venomous snakes, and around 5% of those bits prove fatal. So, if you suspect your dog has been bitten, don’t wait. Call your vet immediately, or head on in.
The best thing to do when it comes to dogs and snakes is to try and avoid any confrontation altogether. Things happen, but you can take some precautions. Stay on well-traveled paths or trails with your dog, for one, and on a leash. Know when rattlesnakes are active (April through September tends to be the time of year rattlesnakes are most active in San Diego), and stay alert.
Finally, have your vet’s contact information handy, as well as any specialty animal hospitals.
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