A dog owner has shared hilarious photos showing a bloated and sad-looking dog after being bitten by a rattlesnake while playing in his backyard.
ToruTorque, a Doberman from Michigan, appeared bloated on camera after his face became swollen from the snake’s venom.
Fortunately for the unfortunate dog, his owner, Kara Braniecki, quickly took him to the vet, where he received antivenom treatment but was released the next day.
He also noted that Torque had made a full recovery and was “back to playing with his brothers and sisters.”
“Thank you all for the love he is receiving!” he added.
Torque, a Doberman from Michigan, appeared bloated for the cameras after his face became swollen from the snake’s venom.
Torque looks sad after being bitten by a rattlesnake
Rattlesnake bites can be life-threatening in dogs, causing tissue damage and potentially causing breathing difficulties.
However, in this case, the Doberman appeared unharmed as he waited for the swelling to go down, giving the owner the opportunity to take some fun photos.
Veterinary website vetsoftherockies.com advises dog owners to seek veterinary attention immediately if they suspect their pets have been bitten by snakes.
While most pets survive a snake bite, it’s important to act quickly, she says.
This file photo shows a rattlesnake camouflaged among rocks.
While rattlesnake bites can be life-threatening for dogs, Torque was not seriously injured.
The website also suggests that in the event of a snake bite, owners should rinse the wound with water to remove some of the venom.
She also recommends alerting the veterinary office prior to arrival so their staff can make necessary preparations for the arriving animal patient.
She also notes that while owners can be asked to identify the snake that bit their dog, it’s important that they don’t interact with it, as this increases the risk of being bitten themselves. Snakes are best left alone 90 percent of the time, she says.
Dogs can also receive rattlesnake vaccines, which are designed to help with future bites by reducing the severity of signs when a bite occurs.
