{"id":88,"date":"2026-05-12T21:07:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=88"},"modified":"2026-05-12T21:07:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:07:29","slug":"if-a-copperhead-bites-your-dog-heres-what-nc-veterinarians-say-you-should-do-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=88","title":{"rendered":"If a copperhead bites your dog, here\u2019s what NC veterinarians say you should do"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.<\/p>\n

Read our AI Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n

As the region\u2019s plentiful copperheads emerge this spring, North Carolinians may already know what to do<\/a> if the venomous snake bites them \u2014 but what about their dogs?<\/p>\n

Read more Watch as 400-pound alligator takes on 4 North Carolina officers in tug-of-war<\/a><\/p>\n

The copperhead is the most common venomous snake in North Carolina, and in highly populated areas is generally the only one, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.<\/a><\/p>\n

The snake is copper-colored, light brown or tan. It has a triangular head and darker brown bands around the body, the pattern of which varies. It is often found in wooded areas, and is largely nocturnal in hot weather.<\/p>\n

Copperheads likely make up 90% of North Carolina\u2019s venomous snake bites, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The snakes can also bite our pets, The Observer has previously reported<\/a>, so here\u2019s what to do if you suspect a copperhead has bitten your dog.<\/p>\n

If you are with your pet when a copperhead bite occurs you may witness it, but if not, look out for:<\/p>\n

Dr. Sarah Musulin<\/a>, a Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency and Critical Care at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, said that while a bite is painful for a pet, it doesn\u2019t cause systemic effects.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t seem to affect, for example, their blood pressure, or their circulation, or their breathing, or anything like that,\u201d Musulin said. \u201cBut given that the snake bites are very painful. It\u2019s certainly recommended to seek veterinary care and just to have that assurance that indeed your dog or cat is having the expected reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is not recommended that pet owners perform any first aid care on their pets following a bite.<\/p>\n

Read more Queens University swimmer killed in weekend car crash that injured two others<\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t:<\/p>\n

In some circumstances, a pet may need antivenom, but it is uncommon. Musulin said she has only ever administered antivenom to a handful of dogs since moving to North Carolina in 2007. It may be needed if a pet\u2019s ability to clot blood is compromised.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does become a ratio game, meaning the smaller the animal, and if they get more venom, they\u2019re going to be more affected by the bite,\u201d Musulin said. \u201cThere\u2019s no way to know when a snake bites, how good of a job, for lack of a better phraseology … they do releasing venom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Musulin said that like humans, it is important for pets to avoid contact with copperheads.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going on hikes, that\u2019s a great, great time to be really watching out for snakes. If you notice snakes in your yard, because I myself have seen many copperheads in my yard, then keep in mind that if your dog or cat is out in the yard unattended, that they are vulnerable to that,\u201d Musulin said.<\/p>\n

If a pet comes back inside the home from unattended time outside limping, swollen or in pain, it is a good call to go to the vet even if a bite cannot be located.<\/p>\n

Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you\u2019d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Read more Popular Lake Norman swimming beach will remain closed Memorial Day Weekend. Why?<\/a><\/p>\n

You can submit your question by filling out this form<\/a><\/b>. <\/p>\n

This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 8:15 AM.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn signs of copperhead bites in dogs, what not to do, and when to seek veterinary care in North Carolina during spring snake season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-88","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nIf a copperhead bites your dog, here\u2019s what NC veterinarians say you should do - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=88\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"If a copperhead bites your dog, here\u2019s what NC veterinarians say you should do - 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