PupkeeperToxicEmergency
Venomous snakebite and dogs: what to do
Emergency. Bites from pit vipers, cobras, kraits and other venomous snakes can cause swelling, bleeding, paralysis and death. Go to a vet now.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand
What to do now
- Go to an emergency vet now, even if the bite barely swells.
- Keep your dog as calm and still as possible, and carry it if you can.
- If a spitting cobra sprayed venom in your dog's eyes, rinse them with lots of clean water right away, then go.
- Remove the collar in case the neck swells.
- Call ahead so the clinic can have antivenom ready.
Don't
- Don't use a tourniquet, ice or cold packs.
- Don't cut the bite or try to suck out venom.
- Don't wait to see if signs develop, and don't put oils or remedies in the eyes.
Signs to watch for
- Sudden pain, crying or hiding
- Fast-spreading swelling
- Bruising or bleeding at the bite
- One or more puncture wounds
- Drooling or trouble swallowing
- Droopy eyelids
- Weakness, stumbling or collapse
- Trouble breathing
When signs appear: Swelling within minutes; cobra, krait and coral snake bites can show few signs for several hours
Why
Pit viper venom (rattlesnakes, Malayan pit viper) causes painful, fast-spreading swelling and bleeding problems. Cobra, krait and coral snake venom attacks the nerves: the bite may barely swell, yet weakness, drooping eyelids and paralysis can follow hours later.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Snakebite
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Snakebite Envenomization
- Chew et al., Int J Emerg Med (2011): Snakebite Patients at a Malaysian Hospital
- WHO South-East Asia: Guidelines for the Management of Snakebites (2nd ed., 2016)
- AKC: What to Do If a Snake Bites Your Dog
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.