Snake Bites: Are You Prepared?

Certain factors affect the severity of the injury. Take the following factors into consideration when determining the potential danger of the bite.

Type of venom: Some snakes are deadlier than others.

Location of the snake bite: Bites to the head, face and areas of major blood supply are far more serious than those to limbs and body and more likely to be fatal. Many horses are bitten on the face as they sniff to investigate.

Size, condition and age of the horse: smaller, younger horses are more at risk, as are older horses and those in poor health.

Poisonous snakes fall into two categories: the elapine snakes, which include the cobra, mamba and coral snake and viperine, which include the pit vipers, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and moccasins. The most common snakes encountered in the U.S. are the copperhead and various types of rattlers.

The venom of elapine snakes is mainly neurotoxic which affects the nervous system and kills its target by paralyzing the respiratory system. These snakes are less common in the US.

Viperine snakes, located throughout the Americas, have long, hinged fangs that strike, penetrate, and withdraw. The venom of these snakes is mainly hemotoxic and causes massive damage to blood vessels and tissue loss even if the victim recovers.

Nonpoisonous snakes have small teeth rather than fangs. They also have a rounded head which is about the same size as their body and round pupils. Poisonous snakes have a triangular head that is larger than their body and elliptical pupils.

Rattlers usually attack when they are startled. Rattlers coil before striking with a strike distance of one-third to one-half of their overall length.

Poisonous snakes may not inject poison when they bite. Many snake bites in horses are thought to be nonvenomous because the snake has to put a lot of biological work into making its poison and does not want to waste it. Because the snake can sense the size of the horse, it bites only to get away. This may be another reason why horse deaths from snake bites are not common.

If a horse is bitten, there are a few steps to take. If riding, prevent the horse from looking down and slowly him back away. You want to avoid further strikes. Try to confirm the snake bite and attempt to identify the snake, but do not waste time looking for the snake. Your primary concern is your horse.

Viperine snake bites cause immediate swelling. Horses bitten on the nose or muzzle can swell so much that their nostrils almost close and breathing can be difficult or impossible. Seasoned trail riders and ranch hands carry two six-inch pieces of old garden hose that can be lubricated and inserted into the nostrils of a snakebitten horse; more than one animal has been saved with this simple procedure. The hose allows the horse to breathe until the swelling subsides with treatment.

Intense pain, nausea, muscular weakness, and shock follow a typical snakebite. It is important to quiet the horse down. Increased heart rate causes higher blood flow and the dispersal of the poison to larger areas of the body.

A wide constricting band (handkerchief or shredded clothing) should be placed about two inches above the bite if it is on the leg. The band should only be tight enough to compress the veins and lymphatic vessels and not the arteries. Your goal is to keep the venom in the bite area. This band should be as tight as the band a nurse applies when drawing blood.

Wash the bite with soap and water. If possible, trailer the horse to its stall. If you have to travel, walk the horse slowly to the nearest trailer. Do not cut the bite area or try to suck venom from a bite by mouth. Do not apply cold or hot compresses.

Antivenin has proved useful in horses even when given 24 hours after a head bite. There are some potential problems with antivenin, however, because it is produced in horses and therefore anaphylactic shock can occur. A veterinarian may use epinephrine to help lessen the threat of reactive shock to the serum. Corticosteroids and fluids may be necessary to counteract the effects of shock, and good management will be required to treat the tissue damage that may result.

If you have seen the horse bitten, diagnosis is easy. But many times, you'll find a horse in his stall or at pasture with a severely swollen leg and showing signs of shock. Snakebites can be hard to locate on the body because of hair, bleeding, or swelling, but a close examination should reveal fang marks. The appropriate antivenin must be used for individual snakes. Many states have Hot Line numbers in your area. Be sure to have epinephrine available.

The goal of snakebite treatment focuses on three areas: prevention of the absorption of venom (with the constricting band), neutralization of any absorbed venom (with the use of antivenom) and fighting the effects of the venom by maintaining cardiorespiratory function.

Shock is the most common problem following snakebites. Corticosteroids may be used to counter the shock and minimize tissue destruction. Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given and since many snakes’ mouths contain bacteria. Intravenous fluids containing dextrose and DMSO (a potent antioxidant) can be given if needed. An equine tetanus shot should also be considered.

The actions taken during the first hours following a snakebite will improve your horses outcome. Be prepared for snakebites and you'll lessen the potential complications.

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