Vet hospital issues alert to dog owners doing forest walks

June is one of the best months for a dog walk, with long, bright days and warm sunshine making the parks, fields and woodland trails feel made for an afternoon stroll. However, there are some hazards you should be aware of before taking your pet out.

As well as considering if it’s too hot to walk your canine companion, you should also be mindful that June is a high-risk time for adder bites. Snakes are often out basking during sunny spells, so be extra cautious when venturing outside.

Adders are around 50cm-60cm in length and often feature a dark zig-zag pattern down the back. While they are generally shy and avoid people, they may bite if threatened, surprised or trodden on.

It’s exceptionally rare for an adder bite to kill a human. However, the same can’t be said for our beloved pets.

Nine Mile Veterinary Hospital & MiNight Vet Wokingham sent an alert out to those living in Reading and beyond after multiple dogs were admitted to the hospital with adder bites after woodland walks.

In a Facebook post, the veterinary hospital said: “If you’re walking your dogs in forest areas such as Buckler’s Forest, etc., please keep a close eye on your dog, we have had multiple patients admitted to our hospital due to receiving Adder Snake Bites. However, we do not know the precise location of each.”

The issue isn’t confined to the Reading area, as adders are widespread across England, Wales and mainland Scotland. You are more likely to see them on sunny banks, edges of paths, bracken, heather, long grass, sand dunes and heathland.

To protect your pets, avoid letting them run through thick undergrowth or poke around in piles, logs or rocks.

Make sure you have recall commands well practised, too, which helps to bring dogs back to you if they are in any danger.

What do experts say about adder bites on dogs?

The PDSA advises: “Adders tend to keep themselves to themselves and don’t bite unless they are scared. Unfortunately, dogs tend to approach them without fear, startle them and get bitten.

“If your dog is bitten by an adder, their symptoms will depend on where the bite is and where the venom spreads to.

“If the venom stays in the tissues around the bite, it will cause pain and swelling, but if it spreads further and gets into the bloodstream, it can cause much more serious problems such as damage to the liver, kidneys, heart and nervous system.

“If venom is injected straight into the bloodstream, it can cause death very quickly. It can also be very serious if your dog is bitten on the face or neck because swelling can lead to breathing problems.

“With treatment, most dogs make a full recovery, but sadly, in some cases, adder venom can cause severe illness and even death. The quicker your dog is treated, the better their outlook. Any dog with a suspected adder bite should be seen by a vet ASAP.”

What to do if your dog is bitten by an adder

The PDSA urges dog owners to stay calm and keep their dogs as still as possible to prevent venom spreading around the body.

Leave the bite alone and don’t apply a bandage or tourniquet. You should ring your vet as soon as possible to warn them you will be coming into the practice.

Carry your dog into a vehicle instead of walking them, which should help to keep them still.

Your vet should then be able to recommend the best course of action. Treatments tend to involve strong pain relief, fluid drips, anti-histamines or even anti-venom for severe cases.