The risk of snake bites has skyrocketed due to a record-breaking drought, with veterinarians warning pet owners to be vigilant about possible attacks.
Above-average temperatures have pushed forward this year’s snake season, and experts predict a sharp increase in bites.
Dr Peta Gay Railton, head veterinarian at Already Pet Medical in New South Wales’ Hunter Region, said they have seen a spike in the number of animals requiring treatment for snake bites.
‘Snakes are always about but you just don’t see them as much in the long grass,’ she told the Hunter Valley News.
The risk of snake bites has skyrocketed due to a record-breaking drought, with veterinarians warning pet owners to be vigilant in case of attacks (Pictured: Eastern Brown snake)
‘With drought conditions and no feed about, pets are more likely to see the snakes and go after them.’
She said snake attacks increase by 22 per cent during drought conditions.
Dr Railton recommends pets are taken to the vet immediately if owners suspect they are bitten.
‘It can take some time for symptoms to present and then when they do, you may only have 20 minutes to save them.’ she said.
Animals are injected with anti-venom straight away if they show signs of a snake bite.
Owners are encouraged to remove anything on their properties that may attract mice or frogs and to reduce the amount of rubbish where snakes could take shelter.
Following a snake bite, dogs will often be wobbly, vomit and may become paralysed.
Their pupils may become large and black, and bites can often lead to death.

Above-average temperatures have pushed forward this year’s snake season, and experts predict a sharp increase in bites (Pictured: Tiger snake)
‘There are so many different signs because snake venom is a cocktail of different toxins and that’s what makes them so lethal,’ Dr Railton said.
More than 80 per cent of New South Wales is suffering rainfall deficiencies, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Drought-stricken farmers have been forced to sell their livestock as they attempt to get back on their feet during the devastating long dry.
The current conditions are the driest on record over a 14-month period for parts of NSW, including the upper Hunter Region.