Vet Dr Kate Clayton tells pet owners to be vigilant after treating several animals for snakebites

Katanning vet Kate Clayton has warned dog and cat owners to be careful after treating five animals with anti-venom medicine for snake bites.

He said that as the weather gets warmer, snakes wake up from hibernation and are in the period when they are the hungriest and also the most poisonous.

“Snake season is here and we have had a lot of dogs and cats getting bitten,” he said.

Dr., who practices in Katanning and Kojonup. Clayton said pet owners may not be able to attempt first aid if they think their pet has been bitten and should get to a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

“The results may depend on whether it was a dry bite with no venom released and whether the snake had been feeding recently,” he said.

“If they haven’t eaten, the poison will be stronger.

“We have treated five pets in our practice so far.

“The owner of a cat had no idea the cat had been bitten until he vomited on the snake’s head.”

The best way to protect cats from snakes, he said, is to invest in a “catio,” an outdoor caged area that keeps them from wandering around.

“Many local governments offer discounts when updating cat laws,” he said.

“But the safest place for your cat is indoors.”

A devastated resident recently lost her beloved rag doll cat to a snake bite.

Both of Dr Clayton’s practices have clotting machines that can analyze a blood test and show whether an animal has been bitten.

He said this was because the venom interfered with blood clotting and urged owners to contact a vet as soon as they suspected a bite so that anti-venom medication could be administered as soon as possible.

“We can also use the clotting machine to test and retest if necessary to provide peace of mind for pet owners,” he said.