Snake bites and cane toads
Both can kill a dog fast. How to make your yard safer, the signs, and the first aid that helps on the way to the vet.
General guidance, awaiting review by a Guyanese vet. Always ask a vet about your own animal.
Snakes
Guyana has several venomous snakes, including the labaria, and dogs that chase or sniff at them are often bitten on the face or legs.
Signs of a snake bite
Sudden swelling, often of the face, neck or a leg, puncture marks, pain, bleeding that doesn’t stop, weakness, wobbling, collapse or trouble breathing.
What to do
- Keep your dog as still and calm as you can, and carry them if possible.
- Do not cut the wound, suck it, put ice on it or tie a tourniquet.
- Note what the snake looked like, or take a photo from a safe distance. Don’t try to catch or kill it.
- Go to a vet immediately, and call ahead: not every clinic keeps antivenom. Swelling can block breathing.
Make your yard safer
- Keep grass short and clear away piles of wood, zinc, bricks and rubbish where snakes hide.
- Keep feed and rubbish closed up: rats and mice bring snakes.
- Use a torch at night, and walk dogs on paths rather than through long grass and bush.
Cane toads
Cane toads are the large toads that come out at night, especially after rain. A dog that bites, licks or carries one absorbs a strong poison through its gums. Signs start within minutes.
Signs
Heavy drooling or frothing, bright red gums, pawing at the mouth, shaking, wobbling, a racing heartbeat or seizures.
What to do
- Wipe the gums and tongue with a damp cloth, wiping outwards, and rinse the cloth often.
- Rinse the mouth with water flowing out of the mouth, with the head pointing down. Never squirt water down the throat.
- Go to a vet urgently, especially if your dog is shaking or wobbly.
Prevent it
- Bring water and food bowls in at night: toads sit in them.
- Check the yard with a torch before letting your dog out after dark.
- Teach “leave it”, and don’t let dogs play with toads.
See emergency help for more first aid.