My Dog Was Bitten by a Copperhead. Here Is What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know.
A Real Story. And the Plan I Wish I Had.
This happened in South Carolina. But it could happen anywhere you walk your dog.
There is a specific kind of panic that sets in when your pet is hurt and you realize you do not know where to go. Your brain goes quiet right when you need it most. That is where I found myself on a Wednesday night in April, standing in the street in Berkshire Forest with a dog who could not walk, and no plan.
On the evening of April 15, my dog Louis was bitten by a copperhead. And within minutes, I found myself in a situation I was completely unprepared for.
No wallet. No ID. No plan. And a dog getting worse by the minute.
This is our story. And if you have a pet, I hope it becomes your plan.
The Night It Happened
We live in Berkshire Forest and were walking near Brentford and Augusta, close to River Oaks Elementary.
It felt like any normal evening.
Then I heard Louis stumble.
I thought he missed a step.
He didn’t.
By the time I looked down, the snake had already slithered my way. Louis could not put weight on his left front paw.
I took a photo, searched it, and confirmed it within seconds.
Copperhead.
What shocked me most? It was mid-April.
I always associated snakes with fall and the loss of summer heat. But snakes are often active at dusk and dawn, especially around surfaces like pavement, concrete, and rocks that hold heat.
The same places we walk our dogs every day.
The Race Against Time
We got Louis into the car immediately.
My husband was driving.
I started searching for a 24-hour animal hospital.
Google kept showing human hospitals.
We lost time.
Then we hit another obstacle. River Oaks Road was shut down due to an accident. Bob said we had to turn around and I said not a chance!
We went through it anyway. Right past the blockade of Firetrucks and Ambulances, Louis needed medical attention.
Because at that point, there was only one priority. Get to a vet. Fast.
We made it to:
Animal Emergency Hospital of the Strand
2669 Beaver Run Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
(843) 445-9797
What I Did Not Know (And You Need To)
Not Every Vet or Animal Hospital Has Antivenin
I assumed any emergency vet would have everything needed to treat a snake bite.
That is not true.
Some facilities do not stock antivenin at all.
Others may have it but lack experience using it.
If you go to the wrong place, you may lose time your pet does not have.
We were lucky. They had it. They knew exactly what to do.
But luck is not a plan.
You Must Call While You Are On The Way
Do not just show up.
Call ahead while driving.
Confirm they have antivenin and can treat your pet immediately.
Symptoms Happen Fast
- Inability to put weight on the limb
- Heavy breathing
- Heat to the touch
- Lethargy or decreased alertness
- Pain within minutes
Every minute matters.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Bitten By A Snake
Act Immediately
- Move away from the snake
- Keep your pet calm
- Carry them if possible to limit movement
- Remove collar or harness immediately
- Take a photo of the snake ONLY if safe
- Call an emergency vet while driving
- Go directly to a facility with antivenin
Do NOT Do This
- Do NOT treat at home
- Do NOT give Benadryl
- Do NOT give NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin)
- Do NOT attempt to capture or kill the snake
- Do NOT wait and see what happens
A Critical Truth About Snake Bites
Antivenin is the only treatment that neutralizes venom.
Snake venom does not work like an allergic reaction.
Benadryl does not stop it.
Delays in treatment can lead to:
- Tissue damage
- Organ complications
- Severe pain
- Possible loss of limb or life
A Tool You Should Save Right Now
This site shows veterinary facilities that carry antivenin anywhere in the U.S.:
Save it now. Do not wait until you need it.
The Plan You Need To Make Tonight
- Find the nearest emergency vet with antivenin
- Save the address in your phone
- Keep payment and ID accessible
- Use a flashlight when walking at dusk or dawn
- Be aware of warm surfaces where snakes gather
Have a plan before the panic.
Because when it happens, everything moves fast.
And what you do next matters.
Written by Danielle King, Berkshire Forest resident and REALTOR® serving the Coastal Carolinas.