Savannah Critter Encounters: Snakes, Fire Ants, Toads & Jellyfish

Brought to you by Case Veterinary Hospital — caring for Savannah’s pets since 1909.

Part of the charm of the Lowcountry is how much wildlife we share it with — but a few of our neighbors can mean trouble for a curious dog or cat. Here’s what to watch for, and what to do if your pet has a run-in.

Snakes

Georgia is home to six venomous snakes, and the ones you’re most likely to encounter around Savannah are the cottonmouth (water moccasin), the copperhead, and our rattlesnakes (the eastern diamondback and canebrake). They’re most active in the warm months and favor brushy areas, woodpiles, tall grass, and the edges of ponds, marshes, and creeks.

If your pet is bitten — signs include sudden swelling, puncture wounds, intense pain, or bleeding — stay calm and:

• Keep your pet as still and quiet as possible to slow the venom’s spread.
• Do not apply a tourniquet, use ice, cut the wound, or try to suck out venom. These do more harm than good.
• Get to an emergency veterinarian immediately. Venomous bites need prompt professional treatment.

Prevention is simpler: keep dogs leashed on trails, stay on cleared paths, and keep your yard tidy and free of debris piles.

Fire Ants

Fire ant mounds are everywhere in the South, and a pet that disturbs one can get swarmed fast. Most stings cause small raised welts, but watch closely for signs of an allergic reaction — facial swelling, hives, vomiting, weakness, or collapse — which is an emergency. If your pet steps in a mound, brush the ants off quickly (they cling) and rinse the area.

Toads

Our native Southern toads come out in force after rain and on warm evenings. If your dog mouths or bites one, the toad’s skin secretions can cause heavy drooling, foaming, and pawing at the mouth. Rinse your pet’s mouth out with water, directing the flow out the side of the mouth rather than down the throat, and wipe the gums with a wet cloth. Serious reactions are uncommon with our local toads, but if your pet seems unwell, call your veterinarian.

Jellyfish at the Beach

If you take your dog to the coast, don’t let them sniff or nibble jellyfish that have washed ashore — some can still sting even when stranded and apparently dead. For a sting, rinse with sea water (not fresh water, which can make it worse), avoid rubbing the area, and watch for drooling, swelling, or vomiting. Call your vet if the reaction seems severe.

When in doubt about any wildlife encounter, the safest move is a quick call to your veterinarian.

Case Veterinary Hospital — Caring for Savannah’s pets since 1909. 111 Eisenhower Dr, Savannah, GA 31406 · (912) 352-3081 · casevet.com Open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. For an after-hours emergency, contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital right away.