snake safety for dogs in the countryside (Maenam)

We moved to Maenam last year with our two Pomeranians, Pancake and Cleo. In the city we never think about snakes, but here in the countryside it is a big deal. Pancake is only 2.8 years old and very curious, so I learnt this the hard way.

Last month Pancake walked into the grass behind the house and came back shaking. We did not see a snake, but the neighbour told us a green pit viper was seen in the field two weeks before. We took her to our vet in Surat Thani, and she was fine, only a lot of scratches and some fear.

What I changed after that: we keep grass short around the house, we walk on the path and not in the grass, and we do not walk our dogs at night unless there is a light. At night a torch helps, and do not put your hand near the rocks or the wood piles.

If your dog is bitten, the vet told me not to try to suck out venom or put a tight tourniquet on. Just get them to a clinic quickly and keep them calm. Cleo is the braver one, he went straight for the snake photo I showed him and I laughed a lot.

Also check your dog's paws after walks. That's all I have for now.