Latest news with #adder
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Nailsworth woman devastated after dog dies from adder bite
A woman said she was "devastated" when her dog died after being bitten by an a nine-year-old cocker spaniel, started to limp after walking in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. She was taken to the vets, who initially thought it was a pulled muscle but eventually found two punctures marks, indicating an adder bitePoppy's owner, Vanessa Kellow, now wants to raise awareness so other dog owners can protect their pets. "Watching your dog in pain is horrendous, she was such a good-natured, wonderful, lovely pet," she said. Mrs Kellow says if she had known more about the signs and symptoms of an adder bite, she would have taken Poppy to the vets sooner. "If I had been aware of what happened that evening, I would have rung the vets. It may not have saved her but it would have removed four days of incredible pain." Dr Alex Hewett, director at Regency Vets in Cheltenham, says it is important for owners to know what to do if their dog has been bitten. "Our advice is to try and get them to the vet as as soon as possible""If you can, try and carry your dog back to the car, to try and reduce the spread of toxin through the body and then apply something cool to the bite area". Adders are a protected species and are currently declining in the UKEcologists have been working to protect them in Gloucestershire, with more than 2,000 reptiles, including adders, being relocated to clear the way for the A417 missing link project. Natasha James, the senior ecologist for missing link lead company Kier, said it is important for dog owners to understand the endangered species."The Cotswolds is such a stronghold for adders. It's important to remember to stick to designated paths," she said."You are in their home and if you can keep your dogs on leads and just be respectful of that, then there's no reason why humans and nature can't coexist beautifully."If you see them, have your dog on a lead and stand well back, but enjoy the beauty of them."Symptoms of adder bites in dogs include pain and swelling, bruising, lethargy, drooling and vomiting.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Beloved dog left with horrific injuries after being bitten by venomous snake during walk through housing estate
A dog suffered horrific injuries when it was bitten by a venomous adder while out on a walk through a housing estate. Owner Adam Penn's nine-year-old Springer Spaniel Willow was left with a shocking open wound on her face, leaving Adam with a £2,500 vet bill. Adam first noticed Willow had swelling behind her head and a lack of appetite. Initially he believed she had been stung by a wasp. Her symptoms got worse and the lump became an open wound. Adam took her to the vets where they discovered Willow had been bitten by a venomous adder. Adders are the only venomous snake in Britain, while their venom is of little danger to humans, a bite can prove fatal for dogs. Adam, a dad-of-two, said: 'I was really shocked. 'She's unlucky but she's lucky to be alive. If it was a smaller dog, then it could have been fatal.' Willow was placed on a drip and given antibiotics, as it was too late for her to be given anti-venom medication. She is still on antibiotics and painkillers and she will need ultraviolet light treatment which will help the healing process and so far, the vets have charged Adam £2,500. Adam, of Northwich, Cheshire, said: 'It was really touch and go because her blood pressure had dropped. 'She's nine-years-old but she's a young nine so before this had happened, I thought we might have another six or seven years with her. 'I didn't question saving her - I asked the vets to do what he could do with her. 'When the anaesthetic had worn off, she started to recover and she's just been a fighter.' Adders normally live in open habitats like heathland, moorland, woodland edges and coastal areas so Adam, a manager of a pub, was shocked that Willow was bitten while walking on a housing estate. He said: 'I live on a normal housing estate. 'But around six or seven years ago, I saw an adder - we have a river near us so that's where they are expected to be. 'We were in the middle of the houses so to find out that it's an adder, was scary. 'My whole family also weren't aware that adders could be in the middle of a housing estate.' According to the Pet Health Club, every dog can react differently to an adder bite but some symptoms could be having two small puncture wounds, drooling, bruising, swelling and an increased heart rate. Adam, who is originally from Warrington, Cheshire, now wants other animal owners to look out for the symptoms and signs that their pet has been attacked by an adder. He said: 'Dogs can get bitten by adders on their neck or on their nose or on their bellies when they are rooting through bushes. 'You need to realise when your pet isn't normal and then investigate it.' Last month, a Jack Russell was killed after being bitten by the venomous snake in Thetford Forest, Suffolk. The family dog, Donnie, was out being walked by Logan Mathers, 17, when an adder shot out and bit the two-year-old Jack Russell on the face. Donnie was taken straight to a vet for treatment while slipping in and out of consciousness. Logan's 19 year-old-sister, Molly, rushed to meet her brother who was left 'traumatised', and little Donnie's health deteriorated despite being given anti-venom medication and antibiotics. Sadly, the beloved family pet died in the early hours of Saturday morning, mother Ali said. She said: 'The whole family went over on Saturday morning to say goodbye to our beautiful boy. 'He really was so full of life. 'We are absolutely heartbroken and just can't believe it. We want to stop another dog being hurt.' The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) advise that swelling can cause serious problems to dogs if bitten on the face or neck - and the venom can cause severe illness and death.
