Snakes are often portrayed as dangerous and harmful, however WNC is home to many beneficial and non-venomous snakes. There are two types of venomous snakes in the area, copperheads and timber rattlesnakes, which can be harmful to pets and people. These snakes are part of the pit viper family, meaning they have heat-sensing openings between the eye and nostril, triangular heads, retractable fangs, and vertical pupils rather than round. Luckily, with only two venomous species, it’s not difficult to learn to identify them as well as learn their habits and habitats to minimize risk.

Follow this link to learn more about all the species of snakes found in North Carolina.

Can snake bites be prevented?

Unfortunately, no. You can, however, limit your pets’ exposure to snakes by avoiding brushy areas or areas of long grass where visibility is limited. Avoid disturbing cool, dark areas under sheds, rocks, or rubble. Keep your yard free of long grass, piles of wood or any other structures that would provide protection to snakes. Limiting the snake food population (mice, rats, nesting birds, lizards) may deter snakes from your property. Keeping your dog on a leash and using a flashlight at night can help prevent disturbing a snake at night.

If my pet has been bitten by a snake previously will the next bite be less severe?

No. A previous bite does not protect against a future reaction. It also doesn’t guarantee the same reaction as the first bite.

What do I do if my pet is bitten by a snake?

• Keep yourself safe. Do not try to handle or kill a snake as this is the most common occurrence for human snake bites.
• Identify the snake if possible. Killing the snake or bringing it to the vet is not necessary, but if you are able to safely snap a photo that may be helpful in identifying the species of snake.
• Keep the pet as calm and quiet as possible.
• Do not apply a tourniquet or apply ice. Do not incise (cut) the wound or attempt to aspirate (draw out) the venom. Do not wash the area.
• If you have access to the homeopathic remedies Ledum, Lactasis, or Arnica, they may be useful.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if the snake is non-venomous or the pet has received the rattlesnake vaccine. Even non-venomous snake bites typically require medical attention to manage bruising, swelling, infection, and pain.
• A venomous or suspected venomous snake bite is an emergency, the sooner the pet receives medical attention the more likely successful treatment and survival become.
• If you suspect a venomous snake bite, limit the pet’s mobility. Carry the pet or use a pet crate as this will limit the movement of venom through the body.

Is there a vaccine against snakes?

We have received many questions about the canine rattlesnake vaccine. The canine rattlesnake vaccine is comprised of venom components from Crotalus atrox (Western Diamondback Rattlesnake). This vaccine may be potentially useful for dogs that frequently encounter rattlesnakes, but currently we are unable to recommend this vaccine because of insufficient information regarding the efficacy of the vaccine in dogs as well as its effectiveness in regards to the Timber Rattlesnake, which is the rattlesnake in our region, or the Copperhead.

We currently do not offer this vaccine for a number of reasons, but we believe that pet parents should make the most informed decisions for their pets. If you are interested in the canine rattlesnake vaccine, we can recommend some local clinics that do offer that service. Please be aware that owners of vaccinated dogs must still seek veterinary care immediately after any snake bite because antibody titers may be overwhelmed in cases of severe envenomation and an individual dog may lack sufficient protection depending on the response to the vaccine. Recommendations for booster vaccination are still under development, but it appears that adequate titers do not extend past one year after vaccination. Adverse reactions appear to be low and similar to other vaccines on the market. The USDA product license is currently conditional as efficacy and potency have not been fully demonstrated. Based on what existing data that is, Riversong does not currently recommend the rattlesnake vaccination and it is not stocked in our pharmacy.

For more information regarding the rattlesnake vaccine, see http://www.redrockbiologics.com/.

Why are snakes called venomous and not poisonous?

Some snakes are specialized to develop venom and have the equipment (fangs, venom sacs, etc.) to deliver the venom to prey. To be considered venomous implies a toxin was injected. Poisonous, on the other hand, refers to a toxin which is ingested such as an unidentified wild mushroom.

“What brand of food is the best?”

These are two of the most common concerns pet parents ask about and, unfortunately, can involve a complex response. There are literally hundreds of brands of commercial pet food. Here are a few guidelines to help narrow the selection and keep in mind that your pet may enjoy and benefit from feeding a variety of brands over time (3-4 brands per year). Just remember to keep the transition between brands gradual. We recommend slowly increasing the new food over 7-10 days.

Here are a couple guidelines for buying pet food:

Avoid by-products:

Pet grade by-products can include organs or other parts that are not desired for or do not meet the standards for human consumption. These can include bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feet, and feathers.

Let Animal Protein Top the List

Ingredients are listed by weight, so look for quality animal protein at the top of the list, particularly the top two or more ingredients. Also a named protein (chicken, lamb, beef, etc.) rather than a generic term (meat meal, animal by-product meal, etc.) is preferable. If your pet has skin or stomach issues (diarrhea/vomiting), try a single source protein food.

Avoid Sweeteners & Artificial Colors

Artificial colors are added to foods to make them more appealing to pet owners not pets. Sweeteners, while enjoyable for your pet, effectively persuade many dogs to eat foods comprised mainly of grain fragments (and containing little healthy animal protein).

Grading your dog food is a great way to identify where your current brand stands with other comparable options. Follow this link for more information about the Food Grading Scale.
If you are looking for more information about navigating commercial pet foods, browse The Whole Dog Journal, which has a lot of resources online

Don’t forget to update your pet’s microchip registration!

Microchips offer the only permanent form of ID for a lost pet.

If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, 24petwatch has more information. 24petwatch is also the company Riversong uses for microchip registration.

If you have questions about microchips, feel free to call the office!

To allow our staff to time to celebrate with their families this weekend, Riversong will be closed the morning of  Monday, April 9th.

We will be open from noon-5:30pm on Monday.

We wish all of you a hoppy holiday!

Living in an area frequented by thunderstorms, we understand the premium placed on relieving your pet’s anxiety as well as restoring a sense of calm to you and your household. Just as pets react to storms in a vast variety of ways, there are numerous options for thunderstorm anxiety relief. As no training technique or product will work for every pet and pet parent, we hope the following information will help you make an educated choice for you and your pet.

The effectiveness of treatment depends on a number of factors including the severity of the phobia; how long the pet has had it; whether it is ongoing, seasonal, or unpredictable; and the amount of time the owner is willing to commit to the behavior modification techniques. The first thing to remember is to refrain from giving excessive attention or punishment for fearful behavior. Constant petting or consoling may be interpreted by the pet as a reward for the fearful response. In the event of over-comforting a dog during a storm, for example, it may signal to the pet the storm is something to be afraid of. Similarly, the pet should not be punished for showing fear as this will increase the pet’s anxiety. Instead, project confidence and give your dog attention in the form of playing, grooming, or other activities your pet enjoys. Effective treatment for thunderstorm/noise phobia often involves three facets: medications, changing the environment, and behavior modification.

Products We Recommend (available through Riversong, unless otherwise noted):

Homeopet Storm Stress – An easy-to-give Homeopathic remedy for mild symptoms. This product can be given prior to an expected storm, re-dosed as needed, and will not interact with other medications. Cost $30 for 15mL.

Thundershirt – Available at Pure Pets in Brevard, this garment can be worn throughout thunderstorm season and over 80% of dogs showed a significant improvement. The Thundershirt is a non-pharmaceutical option for mild to severe symptoms and works by applying gentle pressure which has a calming effect on the nervous system. Cost approximately $40

Nutricalm Supplement – A blend of western herbs for calming nerves, this safe and effective supplement is best for mild to moderate symptoms. This product is available in both capsule and liquid form. Cost $30/120mL or $32.50/50 capsules

D.A.P. Pheromone Products - These products contain a hormone type substance that has a calming effect in stressful situations. The efficacies of these products have shown 60-80% in reduction of most signs. These are available in several different forms (collars, diffusers and spray) and range in price form $32 – 48. Each product lasts approximately 4 weeks.

For more severe cases, there are a number of medications we can prescribe for your pet. Of course, in the pet’s best interest, we focus on limiting medications to only that which is necessary to yield relief.

A group of individuals from diverse backgrounds but a common interest recently came together to form a group called Friends Of The Animal Shelter (FOTAS). The group’s mission is to support the County’s effort to build a much-needed new animal shelter. The old shelter located on Ross Road was built in the mid fifties and is obsolete in size, functionality, and its structural condition is not suitable for renovation.

FOTAS is co-chaired by Dr. Clyde Brooks and Nita Hunt and Gay Poor is the secretary/treasurer. Other volunteers include Bill Briggs, Katy Rosenberg, Anna Yount, Faith Wheeler, Dr. Ann Holshouser and Larry Bricker. The group’s main function will be to mount a fund-raising campaign to support the funds already committed by the county for the new animal shelter.

The group is working very closely with the County Manager and the County Board of Commissioners to bring the new animal shelter to completion. FOTAS plans a “Kick-Off” event in early August to share its vision with the community.  To read more about the New Animal Shelter click here.