Jo Bowen-Jones's five-year-old Springer-Cocker spaniel, Baxter, was bitten by an adder on March 31 while on a walk north of Rhosneigr near Afon Crigyll, according to multiple reports. Baxter, who had been adopted two years ago and fostered from Spaniel Aid in March 2024, showed symptoms including vomiting, labored breathing, a taut stomach, and bloodshot eyes, major media outlets reported. The vet found a small mark but no swelling, which is a common symptom of an adder bite, according to reports.
According to Daily Mail - News, Jo Bowen-Jones described how Baxter suddenly stopped and lifted his front paw during the walk. He did not yelp but struggled to walk, and she had to half-carry him over a bridge. When she left him for five minutes, he had vomited and defecated, and she noticed a tiny mark on his paw. At the vets, Baxter was carried in on a rug, unable to walk, with ragged breathing and a taut stomach. Anti-venom was not administered due to concerns about anaphylactic shock and side effects, as Baxter's breathing was already laboured, according to Daily Mail - News. Jo Bowen-Jones told BBC News that she had only had Baxter for two years and it was tragic.
He was a real character. Baxter was a lovely dog who was well-known in the village because he was always at my side.
Baxter died six hours after the bite, according to major media reports. Jo Bowen-Jones is warning other dog owners to be vigilant of adders during summer, according to Daily Mail - News. She told the publication that she could not fault the vets, who were very upset, and that they were 80 per cent-plus sure it was an adder bite. She also noted that Baxter did not swell, as often happens, but every dog reacts differently, and she later read that an adder had been seen in the same area around that time.
Adders are the only venomous snake native to the UK and are protected by law, according to major media reports. They are commonly found in south and south-west England, western Wales, and Scotland. Spaniel Aid, an animal rescue organization, stated: "Adders are a real worry for spaniel owners, as spaniels aren't known for sticking to the path." Jo Bowen-Jones has since adopted a five-year-old springer spaniel called Ty, according to major media reports.
He loved going for this walk - we went there four or five times a week. He was a typical spaniel, nose to the ground, tail wagging.
It remains unclear whether the bite was definitively confirmed as an adder bite, as no definitive test was conducted. The specific anti-venom considered and why it was deemed too risky has not been disclosed. Additionally, how common adder bites are to dogs in the Rhosneigr area is unknown.
I was on a track heading back to the car, not too far from the bridge, when I saw Baxter suddenly stop and lift his front paw. He didn't yelp and after some coaxing he came to me. But he was struggling to walk - I had to half carry him over the bridge.
I was only gone five minutes. But in the time I'd been away, he'd vomited and pooed himself. There wasn't any swelling but I felt his paw and there was a tiny mark.
They carried him in on a rug - there was no way he could walk. His breathing was ragged, his tummy was taut and his eyes were not good.
It can cause anaphylactic shock and other side effects. As Baxter's breathing was so laboured, it was decided anti-venom was too risky.
I got a phone call from the vets at 5pm to say Baxter had taken a turn for the worse. His heart had stopped and, by the time I got there, he had died.
I knew he was going downhill and I was losing him but it was still a shock. He was a fit and healthy five-year-old dog. As he had deteriorated so quickly, it made me wonder if he'd had an underlying condition.
I can't fault the vets. They did their best and there were very clearly very upset. We're 80 per cent-plus sure it was an adder bite that killed him.
He didn't swell, as often happens, but every dog reacts differently. Soon after I read an adder had been seen in the same area around that time.
I had only had Baxter for two years, it was tragic.
Adders are a real worry for spaniel owners, as spaniels aren't known for sticking to the path.