Lyndsey Thompson, the owner of a fortunate dog who survived an adder bite at Loch Muick in Aberdeenshire, has issued crucial advice that could save the lives of other pets.
Lyndsey was on a walk when she heard her Cocker Spaniel, Maisie, yelp while they were in the long grass of the car park. To her horror, Lyndsey spotted an adder coiled nearby, and within minutes, Maisie’s snout started to swell.
Having read about another Cocker Spaniel named Ollie who tragically lost his life after being bitten by a snake in Angus, Lyndsey knew she had to act swiftly to get Maisie the medical attention she desperately needed.
Now, Lyndsey, a mother of-two from Aberdeen, wants to share potentially life-saving advice with fellow dog owners, including the suggestion of putting bells on pet collars. She believes having a bell attached to their collar can help scare away snakes and prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Lyndsey recounted the terrifying experience, saying: “Maisie was on the lead when she jumped up into the air like a cat and I saw the snake sitting behind me. A few minutes later her nose started to swell up and I could see two tiny pin pricks of blood. The snake wasn’t doing anything wrong, that’s its habitat but owners need to be alert.”
She continued: “You should have your pet wear a bell when they are out to scare snakes away. It is essential to have an emergency vet number saved in your phone and act fast if you think your pet has been bitten. It will save their life.”
Lyndsey wasted no time and rushed Maisie to a vet in Torphins before taking her to the Vets Now emergency hospital in Kingswells, Aberdeen. There, Maisie received vital anti-venom treatment within hours.
The veterinarian warned Lyndsey adder bites are typically fatal to dogs, preparing her for the worst. However, against all odds, Maisie made an incredible recovery and has since returned home.
Recalling the veterinarian’s words, Lyndsey said:”The vet told me ‘small dog, big snake, face bite – this is usually fatal. She was very blunt but said they would do everything to save her.
“Antivenom is not very common and they eventually managed to source some for Maisie.
“She also warned me that antivenom could cause anaphylactic shock but Maisie was deteriorating fast and we really had no choice. She was given a few diluted doses and the swelling started going down. It was a very lucky escape – she’s a very lucky girl.”
Lyndsey attributes her knowledge and swift action to reading about the tragic story of Ollie the pup, who lost his life after an adder bite. Posters raising awareness about adder bites have been put up across the country following Ollie’s passing.
To further protect pets from adder encounters, “adder packs” containing bells to scare off snakes can be purchased online.
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