WHEN most people think of snake victims they think about trips in ambulances, injections and pressure bandaging.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the often forgotten bite victims are pets - and they have even less time than humans to get help.
Almost 20 cats and dogs with snake bites have been rushed by their owners to the Stewart Street Veterinary Hospital since September.
The survival rate varies, but speed it critical. Cats and dogs need to have an antivenom injection within 30 minutes of a bite.
The Stewart Street Veterinary Hospital's Dr Ingrid Martin said cats were a little more resilient to snake bites than dogs.
Symptoms include inability to stand up, the wobbles, and eventual collapse.
Dr Martin said even if the animal was not showing clinical signs, it was best to bring it in so the vet had time to prepare and the animal could be kept in for observation.
The procedure for isolating the bitten limb cannot be followed for animals as it is usually difficult to locate the bite and is often on the head or in the mouth.
But saving a pet from a snake bite is an expensive exercise, the antivenom costs about $470; when added to the drip feed, medication and care the total bill comes to more than $600.
Despite the cost, Dr Martin said about 95 per cent of people elected to save their pets.
Meantime, the snake season has kept local herpetologist Peter Carter even busier than usual.
In the four months to January 31, 2001, Mr Carter caught 53 snakes. In the same period to January 31 this year he has caught 74 snakes.
Mr Carter attributed the 39 per cent increase to education and awareness that killing snakes was not the most sensible or safe option.
Most of the snakes have been collected within built-up areas in Bathurst, where snakes are trapped. Mr Carter said when people from out of town called he usually convinced them to let the snake be, because it would soon go away.
The vast majority of snakes have been brown and tiger snakes. There have only been a couple of black and copperhead snakes.
Mr Carter said the increase in snake callouts could also have been caused by the growth of Bathurst and destruction of snake habitat.
For emergency snake callouts Peter Carter can be contacted on 0412 253 751.