Burnt Store Animal Hospital
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  • Services
    • Canine Physical Therapy
  • Online Pharmacy & Store
  • Pet Hazards
    • Toxic Foods and more
    • Toxic Plants
    • Household Items
    • Predators and other Deadly Creatures
  • Moringa / Skin & Coat
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  PREDATORS


Deadly Snakes

When dealing with snake bites, it's extremely important to identify the snake at the time of the incident to be able to assist with the proper anti-venom. This could be life or death for your pet. Here is a list of venomous snakes in Southwest Florida to help you identify in such a case.


​
​​Pygmy Rattlesnake
Picture of Pygmy Rattlesnake

​​Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin
Commonly found in or near water in marshes,
lakes, swamps, streams, creeks, ponds,
​and drainage ditches
Picture of Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin


​Coral Snake
Not to be confused with the similarly colored King Snake.
"Red on Yellow, Kill a Fellow. Red on Black, Venom Lack"
or
"Red and Yellow can kill a fellow; Red and Black, friend of Jack".
Picture of Coral Snake



​​Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Picture of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Venomous Spiders
Black Widow
Picture of female Black Widow
Females (the ones to look out for...)
- Females are shiny black, with a red-orange hourglass pattern on their abdomen. Males are brown or gray, with small red spots or pink markings.
- Females are twice the size of males and typically have shorter legs.
- Females build webs and wait for prey or mates. Males don't make webs, but hunt for insects.
- Females bite and inject venom. Males don't.
- Females can live for up to 18 months, males only five months.
The Black Widow's venom is a neurotoxic and is dangerous for animals and potentially fatal if left untreated, especially for young or smaller pets. Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain signs, tremors, paralysis, blood pressure changes, and death.

Brown Recluse
Picture of Brown Recluse
Male and Females are Venomous​

The Brown Recluse's venom is a mix of phospholipases and proteases and is dangerous for animals and potentially fatal if left untreated, especially for young or smaller pets. Symptoms include lethargy, fever, vomiting, bruising and other bleeding disorders, liver or kidney damage, and severe skin wounds. Unfortunately, there is not an anti-venom. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

Other Deadly Creatures

New Guinea Flatworm
An invasive species from potted plants, it's become endemic to Southwest Florida. They carry a bacteria that can traverse the skin leading to a bacterial meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and nervous system). 
Picture of New Guinea Flatworm. Similar in body to earthworm but not segmented, flatter body

Cane Toad / Bufo Toad
​If your dog comes in contact with one of these toads look out for: Crying out or other vocalization, altered mentation, pawing at the mouth and/or eyes, profuse drooling of saliva from the mouth, ​difficulty with breathing, unsteady movements, seizures, and collapse. Deadly if not caught in time.
Learn more about how to identify these toads by clicking here.​
Picture of Cane/Bufo Toad. Enlarged glands behind the eyes

Alligator
Any freshwater or brackish area is a potential spot for an alligator. Keep your pets a safe distance from the water and under supervision!
Picture of Alligator head in water covered and surrounded by leafs

Although not as prevalent as the above predators, here are some others in the area:
Komodo Dragon
Florida Panther
Black Bear

Birds of Prey
Picture of Bald Eagle flying, wings up
Picture of Great Horned Owl, close up of half the face
​Keep your eye on your small pets! They are!!
Picture of Hawk

Burnt Store Animal Hospital


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Cute Illustration of Cats, Dogs looking up
​16480 Burnt Store Rd.
​Suite 106B
Punta Gorda, Florida 33955
(239) 315-0729
​Call for an Appointment
​​EMERGENCY WALK-INS
(Please CALL AHEAD to ensure we can accommodate you)
Email us at [email protected]
Office Hours
Monday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Thursday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
​Friday: 8:00AM-6:00PM
Saturday : 9:00AM-3:00PM

Sunday: ​10:00AM-4:00PM
CLOSED: ​ New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day (Monday, May 26th), Independence Day, Labor Day, ​ Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
  • Welcome!
  • Our Doctors
  • Services
    • Canine Physical Therapy
  • Online Pharmacy & Store
  • Pet Hazards
    • Toxic Foods and more
    • Toxic Plants
    • Household Items
    • Predators and other Deadly Creatures
  • Moringa / Skin & Coat
  • Kerr's Angel Fund
  • Testimonials
  • Contact