Cannock Chase is one of England's finest landscapes, in the heart of Staffordshire and the jewel of the West Midlands
But did you know Adders have suffered severe population declines across the UK and, in many counties, they are now locally extinct. Cannock Chase here on our doorstep, remains one of their last strongholds, making conservation efforts more critical than ever for these remarkable reptiles.
Adders are shy creatures that usually avoid people and dogs but, if startled or threatened, they may bite. While bites are very rare, they are Britain’s only venomous snake, so owners are advised to keep pets on leads and stick to marked paths to prevent encounters.
Local Vets, E C Straiton & Partners who specialise in 'Caring for all creatures great and small across Staffordshire' have also issued some advice for dog walkers and visitors to Cannock Chase.
"Please be vigilant when walking your dog around Cannock Chase. We have a dog that was admitted who has been bitten by an Adder".
Here's their advice if your dog is unfortunate enough to be bitten.
Bring them to a Veterinary Practice as soon as possible! The sooner you do this, the better!
No exercise! Carry your dog to reduce to spread of the venom.
Keep them warm and comfortable during travel (it’s very painful).
How will you know?
Adders only tend to bite in self-defence so will most likely be on your dog’s face or legs and it will start to swell. You may also see two puncture wounds.
Swelling can escalate quickly.
Your dog will display signs of pain as adder bites are very painful.
Other symptoms include:
- Pale gums
- Bruising
- Hypersalivation
- Lameness
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- Restlessness or lethargy
If left untreated, your dog may collapse, have blood clotting problems, tremors or seizures. Severity depends on location of bite, amount and potency of venom, size of dog and urgency of treatment.
What will your Vet do?
Treat for shock and swelling.
Pain management!
(Don't worry the dog bitten recently is currently stable and fine)
Please remember Cannock Chase is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including common lizards, grass snakes, and slow worms. By taking small steps to protect adders, visitors play a crucial role in preserving the delicate balance of this National Landscape.
Staffordshire County Council hosts a variety of guided walks, including reptile-spotting tours, giving visitors the chance to discover Cannock Chase’s incredible wildlife up close without disturbing habitats, you can find more here, Cannock Chase Circular Walk
You can find a list of local Vets here, or find E C Straiton and Partners (Stafford) on Facebook here
