Rattlesnake bites pose risk to pets during East Texas summer months

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - As temperatures rise, so does the risk of rattlesnake bites to pets. Veterinarian visits for rattlesnake bites peak during the spring and summer months. In East Texas, rattlesnake season typically runs from April through October, after the snakes emerge from hibernation in late February or March.

Venom from a rattlesnake bite can cause severe tissue damage, blood-clotting problems and can send a pet into shock if left untreated. Common signs that a pet may have been bitten include:

• Swelling at or near the bite site
• Dark bruising around the bite
• Difficulty breathing
• Heavy drooling
• Shaking or stumbling

If any of these signs are present, the pet should be treated as an emergency. Owners should immediately take the animal to the closest animal hospital and call ahead on the way.

Rattlesnakes are not aggressive — when encountered, they will typically hide or move away quietly. Biting is a last resort. Rattlesnakes tend to stay in areas with tall grass, dense brush, logs or wood piles; they’re most active in the early morning and late evening hours. Most pets are bitten after accidentally stepping on a hidden snake.

When they strike and use their venom, it takes a significant amount of time to build it back up. Depending on the age of the snake and size of the snake, it can take one to two weeks for it to recover enough venom for its next hunt - and two to eight more weeks before it’s fully restored. Larger, more mature snakes replenish their venom supply faster than smaller or younger snakes; warmer weather can also help speed the process.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse - getting to a veterinary clinic sooner rather than later could mean the difference between life and death.