pets
hiss....
Snakes in the grass Dr Carmel Taylor meets Monty, her not-so-friendly neighbourhood python.
Calmly sunning himself on the road near our village the other day I spotted “Monty”, the six-metre python that may have been responsible for the attempted abduction of at least three dogs in the vicinity since 2006. Hailing from Ireland, where St Pat was an awesome exterminator (although there are some who claim the snakes fled to avoid being trampled by chorus lines of comely maidens dancing in noisy shoes...), my experience with slithering creatures is limited. But I try not to become too hiss-terical when our paths cross. Snake encounters are not unusual at this time of year in rural areas, but rarely have serious consequences. Of the 50-plus recognized species of native snakes, less than half are venomous, with only half a dozen species capable of inflicting fatal bites. The vast majority are nocturnal, further reducing your chances of meeting one. Most have poor eyesight and cannot hear your bloodcurdling screams as their ears can only detect ground vibrations. Also, most snakes are very shy, slithering away quickly, but if you catch more than a glimpse, common sense should prevail.
• Do not attempt to move a snake on your premises.
Instead, call your local police station (Sai Kung, tel: 3661 1630), which will arrange for a local “snake whisperer” to remove it.
• Keep your dog on a lead when you are walking to avoid
provocation. Many snakes do not evenomate fully on the first bite, but dogs who counterattack often receive multiple bites, and potentially more venom.
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• If your dog is bitten, your vet may need to identify the species. Try to
remember the size and colour of the snake, and remember that most of us are armed with communication devices that also take photographs. Do not attempt to kill the snake for ID purposes.
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Try to keep your bitten dog as quiet as possible. Do not try to suck the wound or open it with a knife. Tourniquets are also inadvisable. Some experts recommend bandaging the affected area, but in Hong Kong, about 80 per cent of bites are attributed to the venomous bamboo viper, where compression may be more damaging than beneficial. Also most dogs get bitten on the face, which is not easily bandaged.
• Call for transport to the nearest available vet clinic, and call ahead to let the vet know you are on your way.
• Pythons are quite another beast. What they lack in the venom department they more than make up for with a special infrared sensor that allows them to sense prey, which they lock in their powerful jaws and squeeze to death.
Scary? Yes. But this critically endangered indigenous species has as much right to reside in rural areas as any member of the Kuk. So I won’t be reporting Monty to AFCD, which will transport him across the border to become snake bisque and handbags. However, it’s advisable to keep your dog on a lead so it doesn't become a serpent snack. Dr Carmel Taylor MVB MRCVS DipAiCVD is a veterinary dermatologist and consults at many different clinics around the territory. For appointments please call 9251 9588 or visit www.cutaneous.com.hk