Pet dog in Dubai almost dies from apparent snake bite

The four-year-old labrador developed large lumps all over its skin and began to vomit shortly after being taken for a walk in The Lakes.

Finja’s shaved neck shows her injuries from a spider or snake bite while she was being taken for a walk in Dubai’s The Lakes. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

DUBAI // A family’s pet dog almost died from what they believe was a snake bite.

Sandrine Pohl’s four-year-old white labrador, Finja, began to vomit shortly after being taken for a walk in The Lakes.

“At first, I didn’t think it was anything unusual because that morning she had stolen some waffles from the breakfast table,” said Ms Pohl, a German expatriate.

“But then later there were big lumps, which looked like veins, sticking out all over her skin. When I touched one of them it burst open and started bleeding.

“So we took her to the vet.”

The veterinarian who examined Finja said the dog’s symptoms could have been caused by either a spider or snake bite.

The UAE does have a number of indigenous snake species, some of which are highly venomous. At least two species – the saw-scaled viper and the sand viper – can be fatal to humans, said Dr Reza Khan, a specialist in wildlife and zoo management at Dubai Municipality.

However, he said sightings of the snakes, especially in densely populated areas such as The Lakes, were rare.

“In my 30 years here I remember one incidence in Mirdif of a dog being bitten by a viper, and it later died,” Dr Khan said.

“If vipers are around they will bite anything that moves within their reach. They fear the moving object, a person or animal, is an enemy and can harm them. This is a purely natural, defensive reaction.”

Two years ago, residents in The Lakes found dead snakes in villa gardens and patio areas.

The reptiles were later identified as saw-scaled vipers. These types of vipers are 40 to 75 centimetres long and their venom can kill a human within six to eight hours.

Hashim Al Yahya, head of Dubai Municipality Pest Control, said he had not heard of snakes being reported in the area.

“We have not received reports of this kind,” he said. “I would urge residents if they have concerns they should raise them with us and we will look into the matter.”

Finja has largely recovered from the bite, said Ms Pohl, despite early worries.

“It looked really bad at the beginning,” she said. “She was a beautiful white labrador but we had to shave her and she was bleeding from all over her body.

“She’s better now but, at the time, she looked a little like a monster.”