Rattlesnake season is just around the corner, and with the warming weather and temperatures, it is not uncommon to see some of these snakes on your regular walks and trails.

Rattlesnake bites cause injury and sometimes even death to thousands of pets each year, as the toxins can spread in the body very quickly, causing pain and serious complications to certain organs.

Snake venoms are a mixture of eight to 30 identified active components consisting of neurotoxins, hemotoxins, cardiotoxins, and others.

The proteins in the venom initiate a chemical breakdown of the prey, and the symptoms can be local, generalized, or both.

The effects may occur immediately, or over several days, and can range from pain to multisystem organ failure and death.

Here are some tips from Ladera Ranch Animal Hospital to help protect our pets:

1. Always keep your pet on a leash when taking walks. Dogs may stumble upon a snake by accident and, due to his or her curiosity, can be placed at risk.

2. If you hear a rattle, try to locate the sound, although do not try to get closer to it.

3. Stay on clearly marked and open trails. Snakes tend to hide in brush and vegetation, and can be extremely difficult to see.

4. If your dog gets bitten, take him/her to the closest veterinary facility as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure it was a rattlesnake, make sure a veterinarian examines your pet. Even bites from non-venomous snakes can cause severe problems.

5. If the bite is on the head or neck, remove collar.

6. Talk to your veterinarian about the rattlesnake vaccine, which can help to not only stimulate your dog’s immunity to defend itself, but it can also lessen the severity of disease if your dog does get bitten.

For more information, call your local animal hospital. IN Ladera Ranch, that would be the Ladera Ranch Animal Hospital in the Terrace Shops at 949-347-6803, or Rancho Viejo Animal Hospital in Bridgepart Plaza at 949-365-0101.