“Snakebite is a common occurrence for pet cats and dogs across the globe and can be fatal,” Dr Fry said. “This is primarily due to a condition called 'venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy' – where an animal loses its ability to clot blood and sadly bleeds to death.
If your cat is bitten by a venomous snake, they could become seriously ill and even die. Felines have a higher tolerance for snake venom than some other mammals but don't take a wait-and-see approach to a snake bite!
Summary: Cats are twice as likely to survive a venomous snakebite than dogs, and the reasons behind this strange phenomenon have just been revealed. The research team compared the effects of snake venoms on the blood clotting agents in dogs and cats, hoping to help save the lives of our furry friends.
"Cats are genetically hard-wired through instinct to avoid snakes," Con Slobodchikoff, animal behaviorist and author of "Chasing Doctor Dolittle: Learning the Language of Animals," said. "Cucumbers look enough like a snake to have the cat's instinctive fear of snakes kick in."
No, cats have no immunity to venomous bites. It's an old wive's tale. Over the years, we've had mountain lions, bobcats, wolves, coyote, dogs and horses bitten by rattlesnakes and they all get sick. Antivenom is given, if it's caught early enough, within 2 hours of the bite.
Believe it or not, cats are actually imitating snakes when they hiss! Snakes are seen as some of the most fearsome predators in the animal kingdom. Just like snakes, cats hiss to sound intimidating and to try to scare away whatever is threatening them.
Dogs can die in an hour and cats may take up to 43 hr to die if left untreated. Cats show weakness & ataxia (lack of muscle control) initially.
Sand cats are notorious snake hunters, particularly of horned and sand vipers, which they stun with rapid blows to the head before sinking the kill with a neck bite.
Believe it or not, cats can hunt down and even eat various animals, including snakes! Luckily, snakes are not commonly found inside houses (although it does happen). So, we typically do not have to worry about our cats killing and eating snakes at home.
To keep your cat safe from snakes on and around your property remove items that attract them. Large rocks, wood piles, fallen logs, overgrown grass and shrubbery can all shelter snakes. Clean up fallen bird seed and garbage that attracts rodents and, in turn, snakes.
It takes most cats a minimum of one to two days to recover from a venomous snake bite with antivenin treatment. If immediate treatment has not been given, venomous bites are often fatal. Once discharged from the hospital, monitor the cat for any worsening in its condition.
This flexibility and agility help cats achieve better reflexes than most snakes. But cats will also make sure to have a perfect approach when they see a snake. They will stalk and circle their prey, and this can make it hard for snakes to escape. Cats will also swat and jump or move back to avoid any attack.
The hedgehog (Erinaceidae), the mongoose (Herpestidae), the honey badger (Mellivora capensis) and the opossum are known to be immune to a dose of snake venom.
Blood may appear from the wound, and may not clot properly due to anticoagulant properties of the venom. Localized swelling can occur, which can compromise breathing if the bite occurred on the head or neck. If neurotoxic venom was injected, muscle twitching, paralysis, and other neurologic signs may be observed.
However, clearly it's better to avoid snake bites if you can. Beyond the risk to your pet, the treatment is expensive—often more than $2,500. Beyond the normal costs of emergency care, the average vial of antivenom costs $600 to $1000, and your pet may need more than one.
If you are considering getting a pet snake, it is unlikely that your cat will ever be friends with them. Snakes view cats as large predators, and the fast movements of snakes make them a tempting prey item for cats. Your snake will likely always need to be kept separate from your cat.
Usually, after a bite from a venomous snake, there is severe burning pain at the site within 15 to 30 minutes. This can progress to swelling and bruising at the wound and all the way up the arm or leg.
Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.
Garlic and onions not only work when planted in your yard, but they also work as a natural snake repellent product as they both contain sulfonic acid which is known to repel snakes. Chop up both garlic and onions and mix them with rock salt. Sprinkle the mixture around your yard to repel snakes.
Sprinkle oils: Some essential oils deter snakes because they don't like the smell. Examples include cinnamon, clove, and eugenol. Use DIY repellents: Repel snakes using DIY solutions including ammonia, human hair, and vinegar.
Ammonia is a common snake repellent. Snakes hate the smell of ammonia and won't come near it. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in unsealed plastic bags. Leave the bags where you usually see snakes to keep them away.
Calcium cyanide is a good chemical for killing snakes taking refuge in burrows, while there are several gases that sometimes work in fumigating dens.