Most dog owners will never encounter an adder bite in their lifetime, but with warm weather bringing these snakes out into the open, it's worth knowing what to do if you do.
A five-year-old foxhound called Winston has made a full recovery after being bitten by an adder during a walk along Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria, but his owner Hayley McVicar and the vets at Paragon Veterinary Group are sharing the story to make sure other owners know how quickly things can go wrong, and how important it is to act fast.
Hayley had spotted one adder on the path and given it a wide berth. Winston was a little further ahead on the lead when he suddenly jumped back, looking startled, and began rubbing his face on the ground. There had been a second snake, hidden from view.
At first he seemed fine. But within about ten minutes he became very lethargic, was walking with his head low, and the side of his face had started to swell.
Hayley called Paragon straight away and was told to bring him in immediately. Veterinary nurse Eve Dennison drove to another practice to collect antivenom and made it back just as Hayley and Winston arrived. Vet Graham Lewis administered the antivenom and put Winston on a drip as he was already showing early signs of shock. He was kept in overnight and recovered without further problems.
What makes adder bites so dangerous?
The adder is the UK's only venomous snake, and while bites are genuinely rare, they can be life-threatening when they do happen. Graham Lewis, who has been in practice for 18 years and has treated just three adder bite cases in that time, explained that there are two main concerns.
The first is anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. The second is tissue necrosis, where the venom causes the flesh around the bite to die. Graham said he has treated a dog that required amputation as a result, and that a bite to the muzzle, as Winston experienced, carries the risk of fatal damage to the face if not treated in time.
Not every adder bite injects venom, and adders are not aggressive animals, they generally try to avoid contact with dogs and people. But on warm days they come out to bask, and they are well camouflaged, which is how encounters happen.
What to do if you think your dog has been bitten
The most important thing is to phone your vet immediately and tell them you suspect an adder bite. This matters because not every practice stocks antivenom, and calling ahead gives them time to source it before you arrive.
While you're getting back to the car, try to keep your dog as calm and still as possible. If the bite is on a leg, elevate it above heart level if you can, though this isn't practical with larger dogs. Carry your dog if they're small enough, rather than letting them walk, as movement helps the venom travel through the system more quickly.
Signs to watch for include one or two puncture marks, swelling around the bite site, sudden lethargy, drooling, and the dog going quiet or lame. Symptoms don't always appear immediately, so if you saw or suspected a snake encounter, don't wait to see how things develop.
Graham's advice is straightforward. "If your dog yelps or suddenly goes lame or there are signs of a puncture, get to a vet right away and phone ahead."
Where adders are most commonly found
Adders are most commonly found in sand dune areas, heathland and upland countryside, particularly in spring and summer when warmer temperatures bring them out. Keeping dogs on a lead in known adder habitats, and staying alert on warm days in these areas, is the simplest precaution you can take.
Winston is back to his normal self. His owner has simply become a lot more watchful on countryside walks, and a lot quicker to call the vet at the first sign of anything unusual.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute veterinary advice. If you suspect your dog has been bitten by an adder or another snake, contact your vet immediately and phone ahead.