What to do if your dog has an adder bite
Published: 26/03/2019
Last Updated: 07/04/2023
Adders are the only poisonous snakes in the UK. You might want to know how to help your dog, just in case they’re bitten when out walking.
Let’s take a look at adders, the symptoms of adder bites in dogs and the methods of treatment for when a dog has been bitten.
Adders: a brief summary
The adder is the only poisonous snake native to the UK. Nine times out of ten, they keep themselves to themselves, usually basking in the sunshine.
Adders usually live in:
- Sand dunes
- Hillsides
- Rocky areas
- Moors
- Woodland areas
Adders hibernate from October and usually emerge from hibernation in the early spring – as soon as it gets sunny! They eat lizards, small mammals and sometimes birds; they rarely bite humans or dogs but when this does happen, it is likely out of self-defence.
Symptoms: how to tell if your dog has been bitten
If you don’t see the incident or hear any uproar when it occurs, you may notice the following symptoms later on:
- Severe swelling around the site of the wound
- Visible pain
- Bleeding or bruising
- Inflammation from the spread of venom
- Increased heartrate or quickened breathing
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or general weakness
Dog bitten by adder, what should I do?
It’s important to remain calm. 96% of bitten dogs make a full recovery in as little as five days.
If your dog is yelping or frightened, don’t further their feelings of distress by panicking alongside them. Firstly, you should try to keep your dog still to avoid the venom spreading throughout their body. If you’re able to do so, carry them home or back to the car – the less your dog moves, the less chance the poison gets to travel through their bloodstream. This will also minimise the risk of movement-related pain, especially if your dog has been bitten on the paw or leg.
Once you’re home, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Treatment: how can my vet help?
Treatment will depend on the severity of the bite. A painkiller might suffice, or if your dog has been really badly bitten, the vet may recommend antihistamines or a treatment for shock.
In order to restrict your dog’s movement while the bite heals, the vet may also recommend keeping them in their crate for a short while.
Need more info on adder bite dog?
For more info on other substances that are poisonous to dogs, or on any other aspects of their health, contact your vet.
Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.