One moment your dog is sniffing around the back fence, the next they’ve collapsed on the lawn. Snake bite is one of the fastest-moving emergencies a pet owner will ever face, and here in the Riverina it is a very real risk every spring and summer.
Snake catchers around Wagga report their phones start ringing in August, and sightings climb through the warmer months. An eastern brown was spotted at Explorer Park in Boorooma not long ago, metres from where people walk their dogs. If you live anywhere around Wagga, Kooringal, Lake Albert, or the surrounding farmland, snakes are part of the landscape from now until autumn.
At Wagga Wagga Veterinary Hospital we’ve treated snake bite for more than 60 years, and we want every local pet owner to know the warning signs and exactly what to do. Minutes matter, so this is worth reading before you ever need it.
The Snakes We See in the Riverina
Four venomous species are active across our region, and knowing them helps you understand the risk:
- Eastern brown snake: The most common cause of snake bite in our area and the one behind the most serious cases. Slender, pale tan to dark brown, and can grow beyond two metres. Active by day, often hunting rodents around sheds, long grass, and farmland edges.
- Red-bellied black snake: Glossy black with a pink to red belly, usually found near water. Generally shy and its bite is less often life-threatening, but it still needs urgent veterinary care every time.
- Tiger snake: Variable in colour, not always showing the banding its name suggests. Favours wetlands, creeks, and long grass near water, and in hot weather will hunt at night.
- Copperhead: Less commonly seen but present in the region, again preferring damp areas near water.
The important point is simple: if your pet is anywhere near a snake, assume they may have been bitten. You often cannot see a bite wound, and waiting to be sure wastes the time that saves lives.
Why Snake Bite Is So Dangerous
Snake venom acts fast. Depending on the species it can cause paralysis, interfere with blood clotting, and damage muscle and organs. Dogs are most often bitten around the head and legs because of their curiosity, while cats may be bitten anywhere as they stalk.
There’s a cruel twist that catches many owners out. After a bite, a pet will often collapse briefly, then seem to recover and act completely normal again. This is not a sign they’re fine. It is a well-recognised stage of envenomation, and the serious symptoms can return with force hours later. Early summer bites tend to be the worst, because snakes emerging from winter have fuller venom glands.
Warning Signs of Snake Bite
Symptoms can appear within minutes or take hours, and may include:
- Sudden collapse, then apparent recovery
- Trembling, shaking, or weakness in the back legs
- Vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth, nose, or bite site
- Difficulty breathing
- Paralysis in the later stages
If you notice any of these, with or without having seen a snake, treat it as an emergency and call us straight away on (02) 6926 0900.
What to Do if You Suspect a Bite
Act quickly and calmly. The right first few minutes make a genuine difference.
Do:
- Keep your pet as calm and still as possible. Movement spreads venom faster, so carry them to the car rather than letting them walk if you can.
- Call ahead on (02) 6926 0900 so our team is ready for you and has antivenom prepared before you arrive.
- If the snake is already dead and it’s safe, take a photo from a distance. Never handle it, as a dead snake can still envenomate.
Don’t:
- Don’t try to catch, kill, or chase the snake. People who attempt this are far more likely to be bitten themselves, and it wastes critical time.
- Don’t apply a tourniquet or try to cut or suck out the venom. These do real harm.
- Don’t wait to see if symptoms pass. Early treatment is what saves lives.
A note on first aid bandaging: pressure immobilisation can help in some cases, but it should never delay getting to us. The single most valuable thing you can do is get your pet to the hospital as fast as safely possible.
The Wagga Wagga Veterinary Hospital Difference
When it comes to snake bite, where you take your pet matters. Not every clinic stocks antivenom, and not every clinic has a vet on site after hours.
We offer true 24/7 emergency care, 365 days a year, staffed by our own qualified veterinarians who know the local snakes and see these cases every season. We keep antivenom on hand, and our in-house laboratory lets us run snake bite detection and clotting tests immediately rather than waiting on results from elsewhere. With snake bite, that speed is everything.
Roughly 80% of pets survive snake bite when they’re treated quickly, and recovery from a less severe bite often takes just 24 to 48 hours with prompt care. Getting to us fast is the biggest factor in a good outcome.
Reducing the Risk Around Your Home
You can’t remove the risk entirely in the Riverina, but you can lower it:
- Keep grass short and clear away debris, woodpiles, and sheet materials where snakes shelter
- Remove food sources by keeping sheds free of rodents and securing chook feed
- Keep dogs on lead when walking near reserves, long grass, and waterways such as Lake Albert and the Murrumbidgee
- Supervise pets in the yard during the warmer months, especially around dusk
- Work on a reliable recall so you can call your dog away from a snake
Save Our Number Before You Need It
Snake season is already underway, so now is the time to prepare. Put our emergency number in your phone today, and make sure every family member knows where we are and what to do.
Whether you’re in Kooringal, Lake Albert, Turvey Park, or anywhere across Wagga and the Riverina, our team is here around the clock through snake season and all year round.
Save this number: (02) 6926 0900
Locations: 132 Urana Street, Wagga Wagga | 140 Broadway Street, Junee
