General News
18 December, 2023
Safety urged for pets and their owners this snake season
Ambulance Victoria (AV) has urged people in the Central Goldfields Shire to be on the lookout for snakes during the peak of snake season. The call comes after a French backpacker died due to a suspected brown snake bite to the foot in Nullawil last...
Ambulance Victoria (AV) has urged people in the Central Goldfields Shire to be on the lookout for snakes during the peak of snake season.
The call comes after a French backpacker died due to a suspected brown snake bite to the foot in Nullawil last month.
AV Loddon Mallee director regional and clinical operations Matt McCrohan said the incident comes as a costly reminder to remain vigilant during the summer months.
“There’s a high danger of snakes at places like farms and campgrounds, and it’s particularly important to know how to get help given bites may occur in a remote location,” Mr McCrohan said.
“Most snakes in Victoria are venomous and a bite can be life-threatening.
“If someone is suspected to have suffered a snake bite, even if you’re not sure, you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately.”
Owner of Hodgsons Snakes Rescue and Removal, Gianni Hodgson, said wariness goes a long way in ensuring your safety around snakes.
“On average during the peak season, I am getting four or five calls a day from homes, nurseries, nursing homes and schools in the community,” he said.
“It is very rare for humans to be bitten by snakes but you have to remain cautious as they are always out and about.
“The best thing for your safety is being able to see where you are about to step, if you can see where your foot is going to land, then there is absolutely no danger at all of provoking a snake.
“The worst thing that you can do is being complacent, or trying to catch the snake by yourself — that’s generally when most people get bitten so if you see one, definitely don’t interact with it, just step back and keep a safe distance.”
Not only can people be in danger, according to Maryborough Vetinary Practice vet Dr Elizabeth Curnick, dogs and cats are also under constant threat from snakes.
“The best way to prevent the threat of snake bites is to keep your gardens neat and when you’re exercising your pet, don’t let them run off into long grass and supervise them preferably on a lead,” Dr Curnick said.
“The symptoms to look out for in cats if they are bittien is they struggle to stand up, they have just been curled up on the bed all day and they haven’t moved.
“Dogs, a few minutes after a snake bite might collapse, like they are having a seizure, vomit everywhere — then the next 30 minutes are critical to stopping the venom from going through their system with antivenom.
“If you want your dog to survive and it has been bitten, then you need to give them the antivenom.
“Cats can still die from snake bites, but most of the time they are a little bit more resistant, yet antivenom is still recommended in order to speed up their recovery.
“If your pet has been bitten, the first thing is to try and keep the pet as still as possible to stop the spread of the venom and bring them immediately to the vet.”
It is illegal to capture, harm or kill a snake in Victoria, if you encounter a snake contact a snake catcher or the local council.
Hodgson’s Snakes — Rescue and Removal can be contacted on 0490 415 734.
People can also contact Wildlife Victoria on their emergency response line available 24/7 on 8400 7300.