Bites from coral snakes contain venom that can be fatal to your dog. Luckily, coral snakes are usually shy creatures and bites are uncommon. Their bites make up only 1% of all venomous snake bites reported in the United States. Most bites will occur in the spring or fall. Their geographic range is from Florida, north, to parts of North Carolina, and west, to eastern Texas.

Snake bites often happen on the limbs, head, and neck. The closer the bite to the trunk of the body and heart, the more likely it will be fatal.

Coral snakes can be differentiated from other snakes by their small size (less than 3 feet in length), small head, black nose, round eyes, and brightly colored red, yellow, and black bands around their body. These snakes bite only to protect themselves, and only inject venom when they feel particularly threatened or frightened. Their fangs are not retractable like pit viper snakes (i.e. rattlesnakes) and they have a poor method of injecting venom, needing to actually "chew" the venom into its victim. Because of this poor delivery system, as many as 60% of coral snake bites do not result in envenomation.

Bites from non-venomous snakes will not show two bleeding puncture wounds indicative of fangs. Non-venomous snakes will leave a horseshoe shaped bite made up of small punctures of similar size. These snakes will also have circular eyes instead of elliptical ones.

Signs & Symptoms of Coral Snake Bites in Dogs

The bite site will have little localized reaction, with less severe redness and inflammation than a bite from a pit viper snake. The bite will likely have two bleeding puncture wounds in the skin, indicating fangs. The bite site may range from mildly to extremely painful.

Your dog may not show signs of envenomation immediately after a snake bite. The toxicity of the venom and amount injected can affect the severity and time of onset of your dog’s signs. In some cases, onset of symptoms has been delayed 10 to 18 hours after the bite.

Because coral snake venom contains a neurotoxin, your dog will show signs of decreased motor activity:

• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Muscle spasms
• Labored breathing due to paralysis of respiratory muscles
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Urinary incontinence
• Convulsions
• Difficulty swallowing
• Drooling
• Collapse
• Shock
• Coma
• Death due to paralysis of respiratory muscles

Once signs begin to develop, they progress rapidly and become very difficult to reverse.

The venom found in these snakes is one of the most toxic venoms found in venomous snakes. It contains a neurotoxin, meaning it is toxic to the brain and causes paralysis throughout the body. Death occurs when the respiratory muscles become paralyzed.

Treatment for Coral Snake Bites in Dogs

The first hours after the bite are crucial to determining your dog’s condition and prognosis. Your veterinarian will likely:

• Administer IV fluids
• Provide respiratory support by giving oxygen
• Provide circulatory support
• Give antihistamines
• Give a species-specific antivenin as soon as possible, if available
• Hospitalize and observe your dog for at least 24 hours

Please note that this is an emergency situation and you should call your veterinarian ASAP! Do not waste time on first aid if you believe your dog has been bit by a coral snake. Wasting time is the worst mistake you can make.

CALL YOUR VET!

Before you leave or on your way, find out if they have any antivenin in stock. If you get to your veterinarian and they do not have any, they may have to send you to another vet or doctor, elongating the time your dog goes without treatment. Many veterinarians do not keep these drugs in stock due to their high cost and short shelf life.

KEEP YOUR DOG QUIET AND IMMOBILE!  

Lay your dog down and carry him/her if possible - this may prevent the spread of venom.

DO NOT APPLY ICE TO THE BITE SITE!   

This will restrict circulation, can damage tissue, and will likely cause more problems.

DO NOT APPLY A TOURNIQUET ABOVE THE BITE SITE!  

This will restrict circulation and will likely cause more problems.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SUCK OR DRAIN THE VENOM FROM THE BITE SITE!  

There is no proof that this is ever successful.

Identify the snake if possible: remember habitat, coloration, size, presence of fangs, and the shapes of the eyes and head, if you can. This will help the veterinarian determine what type of snake it was that bit your dog. DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT TO HANDLE A LIVE SNAKE! Remember that a snake’s fangs are still venomous up to two hours after it dies. Even if you determine that the snake is non-venomous, it is still a good idea to take your dog to the vet. Your veterinarian will probably prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection of the bite site, and maybe a pain medication to reduce the discomfort.