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Venomous snakebite and dogs: what to do

Venomous. 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

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Venomous snakebite and dogs: key facts

Verdict
Toxic · Emergency: get help now
What it can do
Sudden pain, crying or hiding, fast-spreading swelling, bruising or bleeding at the bite, one or more puncture wounds and drooling or trouble swallowing. All 8
How fast
Swelling within minutes; cobra, krait and coral snake bites can show few signs for several hours
What to do now
Go to an emergency vet now, even if the bite barely swells. All steps
Sources
Merck Veterinary Manual, VCA Animal Hospitals, Chew et al., Int J Emerg Med (2011), WHO South-East Asia, AKC. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What to do now

  1. Go to an emergency vet now, even if the bite barely swells.
  2. Keep your dog as calm and still as possible, and carry it if you can.
  3. If a spitting cobra sprayed venom in your dog's eyes, rinse them with lots of clean water right away, then go.
  4. Remove the collar in case the neck swells.
  5. 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.

Symptoms 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

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.

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