A Wyndham vet is encouraging vigilance, reporting a worrying surge in pets getting bitten by snakes.
Greencross Vet Hospital based in Werribee has revealed it’s now treating three to five dogs or cats daily from snake bites.
Emergency and Critical Care Specialist and Clinical Director Dr Liam Donaldson has urged pet owners to stay vigilant and to keep their gardens free from overgrowth.
“Primarily it’s dogs who are presenting with snake envenomation, but it’s also not uncommon to also see cats,” Dr Donaldson said.
“We have even had a rabbit who suffered Tiger Snake envenomation – luckily the owners were aware and brought the little one in quickly for treatment,” he said.
Interactions between dogs and snakes were reported across the region, including several each at Newcomb’s Ervin Reserve and Wyndham Vale’s Presidents Park.
Geelong snake catcher Darren Keillar said he had relocated almost 130 snakes during September alone.
Lara, with 20 calls, was the month’s hotspot, followed by 11 at Highton and eight at Bannockburn.
Vets do not need pet owners to bring the snake to the hospital to determine the treatment needed so there’s no need to put yourself at risk by trying to capture the snake.
