DOG OWNERS GIVEN STARK WARNING AS FAMILY’S JACK RUSSELL DIES FROM VENOMOUS SNAKE BITE IN UK

A family in the UK has issued a serious warning to dog owners after their cherished Jack Russell tragically died just days after being bitten by a venomous snake.

Teenager Logan Mathers, 17, has shared his heartbreak after his dog, Donnie, was suddenly attacked by an adder while they were out for a walk last week.

Logan had taken Donnie for a stroll through Thetford Forest, near Suffolk, on Wednesday, March 26, when disaster struck.

Donnie was tragically bitten on the face by an adder—the only venomous snake native to the UK.

According to The Wildlife Trusts, adders are usually greyish in color, with a distinctive dark zig-zag pattern running down their backs and striking red eyes.

These reptiles hibernate from October and start to emerge as the weather warms up in March. So, when you’re out with your pets in woodlands, heathlands, or moorlands, it’s important to stay vigilant and watch for them.

While adder venom is generally not life-threatening to humans, complications can arise if the victim is very young, elderly, or in poor health. However, a bite from an adder can be extremely painful.

For dogs, though, the situation can be much more serious, particularly if the dog has an allergic reaction to the venom.

According to VetsforPets, adder bites often cause severe swelling around the wound. In addition, your dog may experience pain, bleeding, bruising, lameness, and appear unusually anxious.

The venom can spread through the body, triggering an inflammatory reaction with symptoms such as lethargy, fever, increased heart rate and breathing, drooling, vomiting, and a wobbly gait.

In severe cases, dogs may collapse, suffer from blood clotting issues, organ failure, tremors, or convulsions. Bites typically occur on the dog’s legs or face.

If your dog is bitten on the face, the swelling may affect the face and muzzle, potentially leading to breathing difficulties.

Tragically, for the Mathers family, Donnie was bitten on the face. Despite a “traumatized” Logan rushing the two-year-old Jack Russell to the vets, it was too late to save him.

His sister, Molly, 19, shared that Donnie was slipping in and out of consciousness before being given anti-venom and antibiotics. Unfortunately, his condition worsened in the days that followed, and he passed away in the early hours of Saturday, March 29.

Their mother, Ali, said the family is “absolutely heartbroken” by Donnie’s loss and now hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of adders for other pet owners.

“The whole family went in on Saturday morning to say goodbye to our beautiful boy,” Ali said. “He was so full of life. Donnie will be cremated so that he can always be with us.”

“We are devastated and can’t believe it. We just want to prevent another dog from suffering like Donnie did.”

In an additional blow, the Mathers family now faces a £4,000 bill for Donnie’s treatment due to complications that arose. Tragically, he was declared brain dead, and the family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to euthanize their beloved Jack Russell.

A spokeswoman for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust emphasized that while such incidents are rare, it’s crucial for pet owners to remain cautious of adders during walks.

“Adders typically won’t bite unless provoked, though this can happen accidentally,” she explained.

“Dogs are naturally curious and may unknowingly find themselves in an adder’s preferred habitat, putting them at risk.”

She advised dog owners to keep their pets on paths or under close control in areas where adders are commonly found, particularly between March and October.