Warning after beloved dog bitten by adder on Barnton Estate

A BARNTON dog owner is warning other dog owners of the dangers of snakes in spring and summer after a brush with death for his springer spaniel.

Adam Penn was unaware there was anything wrong with his pet pooch, Willow, until she was lacking an appetite and lethargic on Thursday, April 24.

On inspection there was some swelling behind her head which the 44-year-old dad-of-two thought was the result of a wasp sting until it turned into an open wound over the weekend.

On Monday, April 28, he took her to Willows Vet Hospital where a vet said it was not the result of a wasp sting but a snake bite and, in particular, a snake bite by a venomous adder.

The springer spaniel at Willows Vet Hospital (Image: Adam Penn) Mr Penn said: “She is a springer spaniel so she is always in and out of bushes on the Barnton Estate but she has been on the estate and she has been nowhere else in the last few days.

“It is really, really worrying with it being a suburban area and to have it happen on the estate is bizarre”.

Willow is on the road to recovery but it was ‘touch and go' for a time when she was under anaesthetic.

Mr Penn, who is a pub manager in Moreton, Wirral, has been hit with a vet bill of more than £2,000.

The springer spaniel at Willows Vet Hospital (Image: Adam Penn) Mr Penn said: “When I took her to the vet there was nothing in my mind to think it would be a snake bite. It is really, really, shocking and I would not want anyone else to go through it.

“She is nine years old but she is young in heart and in health so there was option other than to do it.”

Adders are brown or grey snakes with a dark zigzag-shaped marking on their backs and a dark v-shaped marking on their heads. 

They come out of hibernation in spring and summer and they are most common in long grass, heathland, moorland and woodland.

At these times of year and in these areas the advice from the animal charity the PDSA is for dogs to be on the lead and on the path.

For information on snakes bites in dogs go to www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/snake-bites-in-dogs/.