Dogs treated after dugite bites

Four dogs have been treated by a vet clinic in Australind for snake bites in the Australind area since the start of spring.

Australind Veterinary Animal Hospital vet Rob Hill said it was not unusual to have this number of snake bites during spring.

The bites, from dugites had been successfully treated, but Dr Hill said most animals bitten by tiger snakes often did not survive long enough to reach the vet.

Dr Hill said spring and early summer were the worst time for snake bites as the reptiles were still slow because to the cooler weather.

Roo Rescue snake handler Kim Grant, said she was often called to Australind, Eaton and Gelorup.

Many of the snake sightings in suburban areas occurred near bushland of building sites.

Dr Hill said it was important for people to get their animals to a vet as soon as possible if they thought it might have received a snake bite.

“The critical thing is if you suspect a snake bite, rather than wait contact your veterinarian,” he said.

“It’s best to ring your vet to make sure they’re there. If the vet’s not at the clinic the 10 minutes they take to drive there could be critical.”

Eaton and Bunbury Vet Clinic veterinarian Braden Collins noticed more snake bites happening earlier in the year this season.

Although most bites normally occurred between mid-October and November, Dr Collins had seen more early cases.

Dr Hill said in spring the reptiles were slower and less able to escape from other animals.

“It’s the middle of October, so it’s definitely snake season,” he said.

He said the number of cases had reduced over recent years as the area became more urbanised.

Ms Grant recommended people train their pets to steer clear of bobtail lizards and snakes.

“It’s hard because deterrents don’t work,” she said.

Ms Grant said it was possible to find classes that taught animals to avoid snakes.

Pet owners could consider keeping their animals inside during the hottest parts of the day, she said.

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