A Hertfordshire dog owner has spoken of his shock at the rapid decline of his young cocker spaniel after the beloved pet was bitten by a snake while out on a walk.

Christopher Fenton, from Wadesmill, described how an early morning walk resulted in 18-month-old Zuma needing urgent care at one of the UK's leading small animal hospitals after being attacked by an adder.  

A seriously-ill Zuma was referred to Linnaeus-owned Davies Veterinary Specialists, in Higher Gobion, near Hitchin, where he was hospitalised for four days as the specialist-led team nursed him back to full health.

Christopher recalled the moment he realised something was wrong with Zuma, saying: "We were on our usual early morning walk when Zuma suddenly yelped then ran back to me limping.

"I ended up having to carry him home, where we checked him over and found what looked like a burn or bite on the inside of his right hind leg.

"I thought it looked like it could be a snake bite, as the area had reddened very quickly, so we immediately booked an emergency appointment with our vet.

"They confirmed my suspicion that it looked like a snake bite and agreed it was most likely an adder.

"We were shocked, as you don't get many adders in Hertfordshire and it was also winter, when you think snakes would usually be hibernating.

"We were also very concerned as Zuma had deteriorated quickly after the bite and we were aware adder bites are dangerous to dogs."

Davies' Katherine Clarke, a European Diplomate in Small Animal Medicine, led Zuma's care and explained: "At his local vets, Zuma had rapidly started to become systemically unwell and developed hypothermia and progressive collapse.

"He was initially treated supportively with intravenous fluid therapy, active warming and pain killers but remained hypothermic, collapsed and he developed a moderate to severe bradycardia (slow heart rate).

"We quickly sourced a European adder anti-venom treatment and within 20 minutes of Zuma receiving this his temperature started to improve, his heart rate went back to normal and he was willing to walk around.

"He continued to do very well and although the bruising extended onto his abdomen and down to the level of his hock, he did not develop the tissue sloughing that can happen with adder bites.

"He was discharged after four days in hospital with us and we are delighted he has since made a full recovery."

A relieved and grateful Christopher added: "Zuma is fit and well again, 100 per cent back to normal and running around the place.

"Thankfully, the anti-venom treatment worked very quickly and his follow-up care in recovery was excellent.

"We would certainly recommend Davies Veterinary Specialists. Katherine and the team provided excellent care and communication and we are very grateful for what they did."

Katherine has also highlighted what owners should do if they suspect their pets have been bitten by a snake.

She said: "Adders are the UK's only native, poisonous snake and only tend to bite in self-defence, for instance when they are stepped on accidentally or disturbed by an inquisitive dog.

"However, their bites can be dangerous as they can induce lameness, vomiting, changes to the heartbeat, blood pressure and breathing rate which, in some extreme cases, can become life-threatening.

"A snake bite will typically result in swelling which is dark in colour and which can spread quickly and become severe.

"So, if you suspect your dog has been bitten by an adder you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible."  

For more information about Davies and the wide range of specialist-led services it offers, visit https://vetspecialists.co.uk/ or search for them on Facebook or LinkedIn.