![\"Coral](\"http:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Coral-Snake-300x190.jpg\")
Several species of snakes are venomous and extremely dangerous to pets.\u00a0Coral snakes<\/a>(family Elapidae)<\/i>, commonly found in the Southeastern United States, are very poisonous to all pets and farm animals. The saying \u201cred next to black is a friend of Jack; red next to yellow is a dangerous fellow,\u201d applies to their colorful ringed bands. Coral snake venom contains neurotoxins that can cause respiratory failure and muscle paralysis. Symptoms are acute paralysis (not being able to move or walk), problems breathing, and sometimes collapsing. Treatment typically includes supportive measures, particularly respiratory. Anti-venom is effective, but not readily available.<\/p>\nSomething to keep in mind is that about 25 percent of rattlesnake bites are \u201cdry,\u201d meaning that venom is not released, but immediate veterinary attention is always recommended.<\/p>\n![\"Rattlesnake\"](\"http:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Rattlesnake-300x200.jpg\")
Rattlesnakes<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(family Viperidae)<\/i>\u00a0are most common in the Southeast and Southwest, but can be found in nearly all areas of the country.\u00a0 Pit vipers\u00a0(subfamily\u00a0<\/i>Crotalinae)<\/i>\u00a0and are generally considered to be the most dangerous, followed by cottonmouths\u00a0(Agkistrodon piscivorus, a.k.a. water moccasins)<\/i>, and copperheads\u00a0(Agkistrodon contortrix)<\/i>. Rattlesnake bites are poisonous to all pets and farm animals. Symptoms of envenomation include difficulty breathing, bruising, cardiovascular shock, and in serious cases, organ failure. Treatment often includes intravenous fluids, antibiotics, transfusions, anti-venom and blood parameter monitoring.<\/p>\nToads<\/h3>\n
![\"Toad\"](\"http:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Toad1-300x238.jpg\")
For\u00a0toads<\/a>, the two primary species of concern are the\u00a0Colorado River toad<\/b>\u00a0(Incilius alvarius)<\/i>and the\u00a0marine toad<\/b>\u00a0(Rhinella marinus)<\/i>. Typically found in warm, tropical areas like Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, they are poisonous to cats and dogs. The Marine toad is considered to be the most toxic, and most dogs poisoned by them will die if untreated. Even just mouthing or holding the toad in the mouth, or drinking water from a container where the toad was laying, can result in severe poisoning. Symptoms can include severe drooling, followed by difficulty breathing, incoordination, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, and even death. Treatment includes flushing of the mouth, medication to treat abnormal heart rates, blood pressure monitoring, and supportive care.<\/p>\nScorpions<\/h3>\n
![\"Scorpion\"](\"http:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Scorpion-300x300.jpg\")
There are more than 1,500 species of\u00a0scorpions<\/a>throughout the world, but the\u00a0Arizona bark scorpion\u00a0<\/b>(Centruroides sculpturatus)<\/i>\u00a0is the only species considered significantly venomous in North America. Common in the Southwest (primarily Arizona and New Mexico), it\u2019s about 7 to 8 cm long, light brown to gold in color, and nocturnal. When dogs or cats are stung, symptoms may include drooling, itchiness, hyperactivity, seizures, abnormal eye movement, tremors, and walking in a drunk-like state. Immediate veterinary attention is recommended for pain medication, anti-venom intravenous fluids, and supportive care.<\/p>\nSpiders<\/h3>\n
![\"Black](\"http:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Black-Widow-Spider-300x226.jpg\")
Most spiders are minimally venomous, but the female\u00a0![\"Brown](\"http:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Brown-Recluse-Spider-300x200.jpg\")
The\u00a0