Puff adder bites in dogs – What KZN pet owners need to know.

Puff adders are a common, highly venomous snake found in most of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal. They’re chunky, well-camouflaged, and often lie still. Because of this, curious dogs are usually bitten when they disturb the snake. Puff adder bites in dogs should be treated as an emergency. Here is a simple, vet-approved guide on what to watch for and what to do if your dog is bitten.

What happens with a puff adder bite?

Type of venom:

Puff adder venom is primarily cytotoxic. This means it causes local tissue damage, swelling, and pain. The affected tissue can become necrotic (die off) around the bites. Other symptoms, including shock, bleeding, and kidney injury, can occur in severe cases.

How dogs typically present:

The common first signs are rapidly increasing swelling around the face, limbs or body, pain, one or more puncture wounds that may bleed, weakness, drooling, collapse, or vomiting in more severe cases. Some animals may initially seem only mildly affected but worsen over the next few hours.

First aid (What to do immediately)

1. Stay calm and keep your dog calm. Avoid excessive movement and, if possible, carry the dog rather than letting it run and jump in the vehicle.
2. Get to a veterinarian ASAP. This is an emergency. Fast transport to your nearest vet clinic is the single most important step.
3. Give your vet a call to make sure they are ready for your arrival, and enquire about the availability of antivenom.

What NOT to do

• Do not attempt to remove venom. This ineffective and harmful.
  
• Do not apply a tight tourniquet or pressure bandage/compress unless instructed by your vet. Turniquets can cause severe tissue damage.
  
• Do NOT give painkillers or medications meant for humans without instruction from your vet. These can complicate treatment and cause more harm than good.

What will your vet do?

Veterinary care depends on signs and severity.

• Clinical exam and monitoring (swelling progression, cardiovascular status).
• Antivenom: A polyvalent antivenom is manufactured in South Africa and is used when envenomation is moderate to severe; it can neutralise puff adder venom and be life-saving in serious cases. Not every bite will require antivenom, but it must be available for severe presentations. Your vet will judge whether or not antivenom is indicated.
• Supportive care: Intravenous fluids, adequate pain control, oxygen therapy, and supportive nursing care is very important for faster, more reliable recovery.
• Blood tests to check organ function and coagulation, if indicated.
• Antibiotics and wound care to reduce secondary infection risk, if indicated, and careful monitoring for tissue necrosis.

Outcome and recovery

Many dogs with mild bites that receive prompt supportive veterinary care recover well. Severe bites can cause lasting tissue damage, require surgery, or, if not treated quickly, be fatal. Early veterinary assessment improves outcomes.

Practical advice for KwaZulu-Natal pet owners:

• Know your nearest emergency vet and how to get there quickly. If you live in a rural area, have a plan in place for fast transport to your nearest vet.
• Avoid walking dogs off-leash at night or through long grass and thick bush, where puff adders like to hide.
• Make your property less attractive to snakes. Remove/clear areas where rodents can hide, stack firewood off the ground, and clear long grass near kennels and homes.
• If you see a puff adder, give it space and keep pets and people away. Puff adders rely on camouflage and strike only when stepped on or when they feel threatened.

Quick checklist for your wallet/phone (copy this or download our digital business card)

• Vet House Emergency Number: 082 373 1963
  
• Vet House addresses:
  Main Branch: 339 Prince Alfred Street, Pietermaritzburg
  Hilton Branch: 4 Quarry Road, Hilton
  Townbush Branch: 459 Townbush Road, Montrose
  
• Have carriers or blankets ready to grab if you need to transport your pet to the vet ASAP.
  
• Take photos of the snake if you can do so safely. Do not risk another bite. A clear photo can help with identification.
  You do not need to kill the snake. There are snake catchers available to assist in catching and relocating the snakes.
  African Snakebite Institute Emergency Number – Johan Marais: 082 494 2039. 

Final thoughts

If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a puff adder (or any venomous snake), treat it as an emergency. Fast, calm action and prompt veterinary care are the things that most improve the chance of a good outcome.

Other important emergency numbers for humans:

Netcare Ambulance – 082911
ER24 Ambulance – 084124

All these images have been graciously made available to us by the African Snakebite Institute. All rights remain to the ASI.

For more important information, visit the ASI website:

Puff Adder