Snake Bite Cat
Although cats rarely are bitten by snakes, poisonous snakes are potential hazard. There is one poisonous snake in the United Kingdom—the adder. How dangerous are poisonous snakes? Herpetologists agree that they vary in the toxicity of their venom, and this variation applies to individuals within a given species. Thus, the bites of two adders may have different toxicity, depending upon such factors as age, quantity of venom ejected, state of health, length of fangs, etc.Snakebites usually appear as two small punctures. The symptoms include swelling, intense pain, weakness, shortness of breath, vomiting, poor vision and eventual paralysis.
If your cat is bitten by a poisonous snake and you are within an hour’s drive of a veterinary surgeon, get the cat to him right away. If not, treat it as follows:
First, try to keep the cat still; wrap it in a blanket or coat. Motion tends to increase the movement of the venom toward the heart. Next, put these measures into practice:
Constriction. If the bite is on the leg, tie a belt or strip of cloth around the leg two inches above the snakebite and swelling. This is not a tourniquet, but a constriction band. It is to prevent the venom from flowing toward the heart. Loosen this band if the cat’s leg gets cold. Remove for one minute in every fifteen.
Incision. If you have a long-haired cat, trim away the hair from around the bite zone. Sterilize a sharp knife over a flame. Make a 1: inch crosscut or X through each bite. Don’t be squeamish about this procedure—your cat’s life may depend upon it. When you have made the incisions, press the lips of the wounds together to promote bleeding.
Suction. Now apply suction to the cuts. If you have a snakebite kit handy, use the suction apparatus. If not, you will have to improvise. But do not suck the venom out with your mouth. This is a dangerous procedure, especially if you have any cuts, ulcers or cavities.
Light a match or piece of paper and insert it into a whisky glass, valor other small vessel. The flame will use up the oxygen and reduce the atmospheric pressure in the vessel, thus producing a vacuum. Quickly place the open end of the vessel firmly on the snakebite so that no air can enter, and leave it there until it falls off with a suction action. This suction will not be as strong as that produced with a syringe, but it will serve in an emergency. Repeat this technique at least a dozen times. If the swelling begins to spread more than two inches above the snakebite, move the constriction band higher and make a new incision at the new swelling and apply suction as before. Try to get the cat to drink water. Treat for shock. Get it to a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.