Dog dies after rattlesnake attack near off-leash park in Redcliff

“Near the dog park we had an incident where a dog did get bit by a snake,” said Redcliff community peace officer Barry Steier. “The owner was able to remove the dog from the area safely and transported it to a veterinarian in the city.”

Bella was rushed to a nearby vet clinic but she succumbed to her injuries.

In the same Facebook post, Nicholson said Bella was “a wonderful dog, a talented hunter, and was adored by my kids and adored them right back.”

Steier said despite numerous visits to the site over the last few days, they haven’t yet been able to locate the snake.

“The unfortunate thing is that it was reported two days later to me,” he said. “I have checked the area four times today and I’ll continue checking to see if the snake does return. There’s a very good possibility that the snake may have left the area or it may be in the ground somewhere.”

Saturday’s attack marked the area’s first reported pet death due to a rattlesnake bite this year.

Registered veterinary technician with Cypress View Vet Clinic Marena Goehring said cases of rattlesnake bites against pets are rare, deaths even more so.

“Every summer we get two to three snake bites that we have to treat, usually with IV fluids and antibiotics,” said Goehring. “In my 11 years we’ve only lost one other dog, he came in shock and passed away very quickly on arrival.”

While these attacks are uncommon, there are steps pet owners can take if they believe their furry friends have been bitten.

Despite some urban myths, Steier said it’s not necessary to trap and transport the snake to the vet clinic as well.

“Don’t try capturing the snake, veterinarians do not need the snake to treat the dog for any of the bites around here,” he said.

Cypress View previously looked into the effectiveness of tourniquets applied to pets following a bite, however they seemed to do more harm than good.

Goehring said there’s not much owners can do for prevention other than staying vigilant, adding giving their pets anti-histamines or any other drug before the vet clinic is frowned upon.

“Anything that you give, that just has to get into the history,” she said. “So, we have to really see what you’ve been doing versus continuing our care when they get here. Just get them here as fast as possible.”

However, Goehring said there are proper steps owners can take to limit the damage of any bites.

“If possible pick up the dog to walk them back to where you came from,” said Goehring. “Could be too much blood circulating to get that stuff around, so pick them up as best you can. You want to keep what was bitten below the heart level if that’s possible and then get them in as fast as you can.”

Cypress View has said snake venom isn’t the usual cause of death of these cases, as shock afterwards is often the culprit.

The rarity of these cases is one of the reasons local vet clinics don’t carry anti-venom, which they add is also costly and less effective after long periods.

“It’s a great idea but unfortunately it’s very expensive and it has an incredibly short shelf life,” said Goehring. “We find that most cases we’re just not needing it, so supportive therapy usually gets most of them through. It’s not so much the venom that kills, it’s the shock afterwards that will get them.”

Goehring added the most important tip for pet owners is to keep yourself and your pets calm if bit by a rattlesnake, as it can make a big difference in blood flow and decision making.

by Scott Roblin

Dog dies after rattlesnake attack near off-leash park in Redcliff

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