France in Focus

One of our cats has just been bitten for a 3rd time by a viper. Very badly, he disappeared for two and a half days, presumably in a coma somewhere before getting himself home with a badly swollen face. Rang the vet, 7pm and she said bring him immediately. An operation and the bites three in his cheek and through to his tongue cleaned and drained. Now home but sleeping a lot and only eating bits and pieces.
Our other cat has also been bitten once and got away with it but how one can survive three bites is incredible.

We have seen more vipers and couleuvres the last year or two so it seems they are more prevalent than ever here in Correze.

Poor pussy Cats are incredibly resilient - I hope he recovers quickly. Perhaps cats don't know which snakes they can play with safely and which they can't.
Snakes and couleuvres look for shade and water in the heat so it's advisable to strim and cut back all low growing branches of shrubs, particularly if a pet likes to snuffle there.

One of our dogs was bitten by an asp viper within two weeks of us adopting him. He recovered because he was so young and fit and because the vet was brilliant in immediately using the correct protocol for treatment. I'm amazed your cat made it home by himself and in awe of the fact that he didn't die. Bravo to the vet and to the cat for coming home so you could get treatment for him so promptly. Good wishes for a speedy and full recovery.

That sounds awful poor thing, I wish him a good recovery. Maybe the next time he might remember what he went through and avoid serpents at all costs.

I thought the cold nights would see the snakes hibernating now.

Is is the warm afternoons that keep them about?

Sounds absolutely horrible. We asked the real estate agent about snakes when we made the offer on the house (Dordogne on limit with Correze). She said she never sees them... And she owns a farmhouse 8kms from our - to be - house. Of course, we knew there were snakes. Just didn't know what varieties or how often we should expect to see them. We love to walk and this is often a concern for us.

Hope your kitty gets well soon. Poor thing. I can't imagine he hasn't learned the lesson NOT to mess with snakes.

He is recovering slowly but last week we were having temperatures of 23/24C in the shade although yesterday and today it's struggling to get into double figures. Go to sleep snakes!

We are seeing more vipers and couleuvres these last few years as the climate changes.

I found a neat cluster of eggs in a 'big bag' of sand, in June Probably the result of a fascinating 'danse à deux' witnessed near the house a bit earlier. They were relodged in the chicken parc and much appreciated. With 3 cats and a neurotic neighbour, snakes aren't welcome here. (With sincere apologies to all the 'ahhh, aren't they beautiful' brigade ).

How is your cat now?

He is back to normal after his antibiotics. Eating very well and now out and about. Thank you for your concern Veem.

That's great news Wilbro