Can a Cat Survive a Snake Bite Without Treatment?

What should you do if a cat bites a serpent? Can a cat survive a snake bite without treatment? These and many more are questions set to be answered by this info-filled article.

Some cats prefer to stay indoors. If your cat is curious and roams the outdoors, it’s possible that they could come across a snake that doesn’t like them.

Can a cat survive a snake bite without treatment? Well, let us now find out!

Nonvenomous and Venomous Snakes have a variety of physical characteristics. Nonvenomous Snakes have round pupils, a rounded skull, and often a round head.

Snakes that are venomous usually have pupils similar to those of cats. They have heads that are angled in the shape of a triangle or diamond. The majority of snakes found in North America do not have venom.

Snakes can carry bacteria that cause infection and parasites, which they acquire from dead animals.

Snakes are cold-blooded and need warm temperatures to survive. In colder climates, they hibernate in the winter and then emerge in late spring.

Snakes that have just emerged from hibernation can carry more toxins. Snakes are a danger all year round in warmer climates. Most cats view snakes as prey. The natural instinct of a cat is to investigate and hunt a snake.

Snakes can bite if they feel threatened. Snakes of both venomous as well as nonvenomous species can bite. Venomous snakes can inject lethal toxins into their victims’ bodies.

There are three types of toxins: hemotoxins, which affect the blood, and neurotoxins which affect the central nervous system.

A snake bite can lead to kidney failure, tissue loss, an allergic reaction, and paralysis. It is not true that every venomous bite releases toxins.

What are the Signs Of a Snake Bite in Cats?

The size and type of snake will determine the severity of the wound. Venomous serpents leave large puncture marks on the skin from their fangs.

Nonvenomous serpents tend to leave a more horseshoe-shaped pattern of smaller incisions. Some bites may not be visible, particularly in cats with long hair. Others do not even puncture the skin.

The symptoms may get worse over time. Watch out for:

• Swelling
• Puncture Wounds
• Bleeding
• Trembling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Ataxia is an unbalanced gait.
• Tachypnea is rapid breathing
• The gums can be affected by cyanosis.
• Ptosis is the drooping of the eyelids.
• Dilated pupils
• Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine
• Paralysis
• Coma

What Causes Snake Bites In Cats?

If a cat is allowed to explore the outdoors, it may come into contact with a serpent. A bite can occur if the snake feels threatened. Below are some possible causes.

1. Long grasses can be a challenge to navigate.
2. Exposure to rural areas
3. Snake hunting or chasing

Read also: Can Cats Keep Roaches Away?

 

How Do I Prevent Snake Bite In Cats?

• Always keep your dog on a leash when hiking, especially if he does not come to you every time or has an intense prey drive towards birds, squirrels, and, yes, even snakes.
• For better control, use a leash that is four or six feet long.
• Do not walk in long grass, rocky terrains, or on a secluded trail. Snakes will be there.
• Avoid creating rock piles and brush piles in your yard where snakes can hide and bask.
• Clean up spilled bird seeds that can attract rodents, and their predators: snakes.

 

Can A Cat Survive A Snake Bite Without Treatment?

If you have not seen the snake bite or are not an expert, you should treat all snake bites as potentially venomous. The cat should be taken to an animal hospital or veterinary clinic immediately in order to receive life-saving treatment.

If you’re not sure if your chosen center has antivenin, call ahead and ask for a referral. Avoid moving the cat and keep it laying flat.

Position the bite below the heart of the cat. You can use a pressure wrap to slow down the cat’s blood flow, but not tourniquets.

Be prepared to provide information about your cat’s environment and location when it was bitten. Try to recall the details of its appearance if you saw it.

This will help you identify which type of snake it was. To help with identification, some centres may have a kit for testing snake venom in areas where venomous serpents are common.

It may be necessary to differentiate between bites and other types of wounds. To determine if bacterial infections have developed, cultures may be taken.

A fecal examination can confirm the presence of parasites. All these tests and evaluations can be done while the cat receives supportive care.

 

What are the Effective Ways To Treat a Cat From a Snake Bite?

The goal of venomous serpent bites is to reverse the effects on the cat. All snake bites may require treatment and prevention of infection:

• Supportive care:
  Stabilizing the cat will help it survive a bite from a poisonous snake. This care may require hospitalization, as feeding tubes and intravenous fluids are often required. When the cat has difficulty breathing, oxygen supplementation may be necessary.

 

• Antivenin:
  Antivenin is administered if it is determined that the cat was bitten by a snake venomous. You may need to administer more than one vial of antivenin to neutralize the venom. Antivenin can cause allergic reactions in some cats.

 

• Antibiotics:
  Antibiotics are prescribed because snake bites can be unhygienic. They also help to eliminate any bacteria left behind by the snake. These prescriptions usually last between 1-4 weeks.