BY NAT WHYTE FROM IPSWICH SNAKE CATCHERS
AS the heat increases and breeding season for snakes approaches, the story below occurred in Yamanto and has lessons to be taken.
We received a call-out to a yard where a snake had been found. We advised the client that it was worth getting their two dogs checked by a vet just in case, even though they were acting normally.
She took them both straight to the vet and left us access to the backyard to retrieve the snake.
Upon arrival, we confirmed it was an eastern brown snake, a highly venomous species and in very poor condition. Sadly, after relocating it from the yard, it had to be humanely euthanised.
Later that day, we checked in with the client. One dog was fine, but the other showed sky-high blood results he’d been bitten.
Thankfully, he received anti-venom treatment and stayed overnight at the vet before heading home.
The very next day, while mowing, our client spotted another snake dart under the house slab. We inspected the area and found many entry points under the slab.
We stayed in touch with the client every few days. The pup was recovering well until we received a picture from the same client: “Is this another eastern brown?”
Before we could call back, the phone rang. It was another one. Our client rushed the dogs to the vet while we headed over to relocate the snake.
Later, we learned the same dog had been bitten again just a week apart. He received another dose of anti-venom and stayed another night at the vet, this time with added concerns.
He pulled through thankfully but this was an unusual case – two eastern browns in the same yard in such a short period, and one very unlucky (but brave!) dog bitten twice.
