Warning to owners after dog dies from adder bite

A close-up of a brown and white curly-haired dog resting its front paws on a person’s leg, outdoors on a grassy lawn. Another person’s legs are visible in the background — Image caption,
Poppy's owner said she had "many more years left in her"

Daisy Bodkin

23 July 2025

A woman said she was "devastated" when her dog died after being bitten by an adder.

Poppy, a nine-year-old cocker spaniel, started to limp after walking in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

She was taken to the vets, who initially thought it was a pulled muscle but eventually found two punctures marks, indicating an adder bite

Poppy's owner, Vanessa Kellow, now wants to raise awareness so other dog owners can protect their pets.

"Watching your dog in pain is horrendous, she was such a good-natured, wonderful, lovely pet," she said.

Mrs Kellow says if she had known more about the signs and symptoms of an adder bite, she would have taken Poppy to the vets sooner.

"If I had been aware of what happened that evening, I would have rung the vets. It may not have saved her but it would have removed four days of incredible pain."

A gloved hand gently holds a small, non-venomous snake with a distinctive brown and beige patterned body, featuring dark markings along its back. The scene is set in an open grassy field under a partly cloudy sky, suggesting a wildlife survey or conservation activity in a rural area — Image caption,
Adders are the UK's only venomous snake

Dr Alex Hewett, director at Regency Vets in Cheltenham, says it is important for owners to know what to do if their dog has been bitten.

"Our advice is to try and get them to the vet as as soon as possible"

"If you can, try and carry your dog back to the car, to try and reduce the spread of toxin through the body and then apply something cool to the bite area".

Adders are a protected species and are currently declining in the UK.

Ecologists have been working to protect them in Gloucestershire, with more than 2,000 reptiles, including adders, being relocated to clear the way for the A417 missing link project.

And one of those ecologists said, despite their dangers, that we should enjoy the "beauty" of adders and offered advice about how to best avoid them.

A woman in safety gear, including a white hard hat, orange high-visibility jacket, and black gloves, carefully holds a small snake in a grassy field. Trees line the background beneath a partly cloudy sky, suggesting the scene may be part of a wildlife monitoring or environmental survey in a rural or semi-natural area — Image caption,
Ecologists have been working to maintain populations of the protected species in the area

Natasha James, the senior ecologist for missing link lead company Kier, added it is important for dog owners to understand the endangered species.

"The Cotswolds is such a stronghold for adders. It's important to remember to stick to designated paths," she said.

"You are in their home and if you can keep your dogs on leads and just be respectful of that, then there's no reason why humans and nature can't coexist beautifully.

"If you see them, have your dog on a lead and stand well back, but enjoy the beauty of them."

There is no suggestion that any relocated adders were involved in Poppy's death.

Symptoms of adder bites in dogs include pain and swelling, bruising, lethargy, drooling and vomiting.