ABSTRACT
Approximately 120 species of snakes inhabit the US, with only 21 species being venomous. It is estimated that 45,000 people are bitten annually by snakes in the US; of these, approximately 7000 are treated by a physician for envenomation. Snakebite occurs in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. Venomous snakes may be active year round in the southern tier of states; but in the northern temperate regions, activity is restricted to late spring, summer, and early fall. Snakebite of a dog is seldom witnessed; therefore, signs have usually progressed to those of moderate envenomation before the animal is seen by a veterinarian. Death from snakebite is rare in horses unless there is hemorrhage into a vital organ or if head bites go untreated and the horse suffocates. Signs of snakebite in llamas are similar to the syndrome observed in horses.
