Dog and cat owners have been warned to watch out for snakes in Orange.
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Veterinary surgeon Dr Lisa Brisbane, of the Canobolas Family Pet Hospital, said 20-50 attacks on dogs and cats a year were common in the Orange city and rural region.
She said the attacks were most prevalent from early spring through summer until autumn.
"It's a regular warm weather problem. Snakes are always around," she said.
Dr Brisbane said brown, black and copperhead snakes were the most common.
She said brown snakes, in particular, were both aggressive and carried a venomous bite that could kill animals quickly.
"They will actually go back at a dog and a cat," she said.
"We see animals die from brown snakes quicker than other snakes," she said.
"They can die very, very quickly.
"Within 15-20 minutes, you do need to get them to a vet quickly."
They will actually go back at a dog and a cat.
- Dr Lisa Brisbane, Orange veterinary surgeon
Dr Brisbane said the number of attacks this year was about the same as other years although the drought was contributing to the situation.
"Food supplies are scarce. Mice and rats and frogs are probably their main food courses," she said.
Dr Brisbane said owners should look to remove the risk of mice and rats around their properties to discourage snakes.
MAP: Where the attack occurred
The practice treated a two-year-old golden retriever/poodle cross, Charlie, after he was bitten by a snake in a reserve on Cooinda Avenue last Friday morning.
There was no long grass on the reserve, but the dog, which was off-leash, went into leaf material under a gum tree and disturbed the snake.
His owner rushed him to the practice within 25 minutes of being bitten.
The RSPCA advises owners to seek a vet urgently if their pet has been bitten.
"Pets who are left untreated have a much lower survival rate," its website said.
"If your veterinarian is far away, you will need to apply first aid."
"Keep your pet calm and quiet, and apply a pressure bandage, a firm bandage placed over and around the bite site, to help slow the venom from spreading to their heart.
"Do not wash the wound or apply a tourniquet."
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