Rattlesnake Bites & Dogs + Testing
- Everwell Pets
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
Venom & Vital Signs: Part I
Venom & Vital Signs: Part I
If you and your pup love to wander off the beaten path, this one’s for you. Because while the mountains, deserts, and trails are full of smells worth sniffing, they can also come with some pretty venomous risks
How Snakes Bite: It's In The Fangs
Rattlesnakes belong to the pit viper family (Viperidae), subfamily Crotalinae, and are characterized by the distinctive rattle at the end of their tails, which they use as an audible warning to potential threats. These snakes possess specialized heat‑sensing pits located between the eyes and nostrils, allowing them to detect the body heat of warm‑blooded animals with remarkable precision. Their triangular heads house retractable fangs that fold back against the roof of the mouth when not in use, and extend forward to deliver venom in a rapid strike.
Rattlesnake Habitats
Rattlesnakes inhabit a variety of terrains—arid deserts, rocky outcrops, grasslands, and scrub brush—where they can bask in the sun or slip into shaded crevices as needed. As ectotherms, they’re most active when temperatures hover between roughly 70°F and 90°F; in intense heat they retreat under rocks or into burrows, and in cooler months they brumate (a hibernation‑like state) in dens or rock fissures. [1] Understanding these habitat and weather preferences can help you predict when and where your dog might be at greatest risk.
Know the Signs: Is It a Snake Bite?
The venom of most rattlesnake species is primarily hemotoxic, meaning it disrupts the victim’s blood clotting mechanisms, destroys red blood cells, and causes significant tissue damage and swelling around the bite site.
If you suspect your dog has been bitten, look for:
Sudden yelping or limping
Rapid swelling (especially on the face or limbs)
Visible puncture wounds (though they may be hidden by fur)
Bruising or bleeding at the bite site
Excessive drooling or panting
Lethargy or collapse
Vomiting or diarrhea
Dilated pupils or muscle tremors
Pale gums or signs of shock
Time is of the essence. If you notice any of these signs, get to a vet immediately.
A Blood Test That Decodes the Bite: Thromboelastography (TEG)
How bad the bite is depends on venom yield, bite location, and your dog’s size and immune response. But how do we measure all of that? This where the TEG comes into play. This high-tech test is like a real-time blood drama — showing exactly how your dog’s blood clots, or doesn’t, after a bite. Unlike a basic CBC or coag panel, TEG paints the whole picture.
Because most rattlesnake venom is hemotoxic, which often causes hypocoagulability — fancy talk for “your dog’s blood isn’t clotting like it should” [3] , TEG helps vets decide whether antivenin is needed, how aggressive the treatment should be, and how your dog’s recovery is going.
TEG Testing Reveal Regional Venom Patterns
TEG results can reveal patterns in how local snake venom affects canine patients. For example, if veterinarians consistently see severe hypocoagulability in TEG results from bites in a particular area, they may reasonably conclude that local rattlesnakes tend to deliver more potent hemotoxins. [4]
Over time, this creates a kind of regional venom profile—especially if multiple veterinary practices share data or if the area is known for certain rattlesnake species (like the Mojave rattlesnake, whose venom contains both hemotoxic and neurotoxic elements).
While TEG doesn’t measure venom toxicity directly, it gives veterinarians a functional picture of the venom’s impact, which—when paired with regional bite history—can offer powerful clues about just how dangerous the local snakes tend to be.
Additional Diagnostics
Of course, TEG is just part of the toolkit. Your vet may also consider:
The Snakebite Severity Score (SSS)
Physical signs (swelling, pain, lethargy, collapse)
Bloodwork and vitals
Your pup’s response to initial treatment
From there, they can create a custom care plan, which might include antivenin, IV fluids, pain relief, and close monitoring. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to rattlesnake bites.
Final Thoughts: Be Snake Smart
Here’s the truth: rattlesnake bites are serious, but with quick action, modern tools like TEG, and proactive prevention, they don’t have to be deadly.
Keep your pup leashed in high-risk areas. Stay alert on hikes. And if your dog gets bitten? Don’t waste a second — head straight to the vet and ask about TEG testing as part of the evaluation.
The more we know about these bites, the better equipped we are to protect our four-legged explorers from danger—and that, my friends, is true peace of mind… wrapped in fur, wagging its tail, and living its absolute best life.
Being prepared isn’t just responsible, it’s downright empowering, so stay tuned for the next edition of the Everwell Digest, where we’ll dig into what you can pack for your next hike and the smart steps you can take before you even step foot in the vet’s office.
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Citations:
[4] Mackessy, S.P. (2008). Venom composition in rattlesnakes: Trends and biological significance.