A KENDAL vet is warning walkers to watch out for adders after a dog was bitten by the venomous snake on Scout Scar.

Marcelle Cassar, of Highgate Veterinary Clinic, treated the animal several weeks ago after it was injured in an altercation with an adder.

“We’d had a really nice, sunny weekend and the adder was out basking to warm itself up,” she said.

“The dog was very curious about it and unfortunately suffered a bite.”

After being admitted to the surgery, the dog was given fluid and pain relief, and thankfully has made a full recovery.

But Ms Cassar is warning walkers to keep an eye out for adders – Britain’s only venomous snake – and to get their dog to a vet straight away if it is attacked.

She stressed that adder bites are rare, having dealt with just three adder attacks on dogs in three years.

“I don’t want to scare people because it’s a very popular dog walking area, but people need to be aware that they are up there,” she explained.

“The dog will have a natural curiosity about something they have found on the ground, but the adder will try and get away – it will only strike if it feels unduly threatened.”

Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March, and mate from late April to July - they can be seen more often during warm, dry afternoons as they search for a mate.

They are usually around 50-60cm long (19 – 24 inches), with a dark and distinct zig-zag pattern down their backs. Males are silver-grey and females are brown.

Adders most frequently bite the faces and legs of dogs as they are sniffed or stepped on. The venom causes a painful local swelling, heat, redness and small puncture wounds may be seen.

If the venom is absorbed into the body it can cause breathing or blood clotting difficulties.

The adder is Britain's only venomous snake but its bite is rarely life-threatening.

About 100 adder bites are reported in the UK each year.