Title: snake bit Post by: chopper on December 26, 2011, 04:03:19 pm my dog came up missing last wed. and showed up friday night with her head swollen up twice its regular size. I started her on pen. and predizone saturday morning and did the same the next day, she dident get any better so i took her to the vet today. He said she was bit by a snake and by the size of the spread of teeth marks it was prob a big diamond back i wasent sure it was a snake because of how far apart the holes where and one was very small i thought maby she got hit with a couple bird shot pellets or something. Well he gave me some strong oral antibiotics, some steroids, and said to give her benadril and to message her swollen head and to put a hot compress on it and she might have a one in a million chance of making it. Ive heard of people having there dogs bit and they where fine with just pen. and benadril. She cant see and is acting very lethargic but when i brang her home she ate a whole can of dog food and is drinking, any input or suggestions would be appreciated.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Corey on December 26, 2011, 04:40:20 pm I haven't had bites from diamond back, but lots from cotton mouth and copperhead. Even on small terriers all I have ever had to give is benadryl, infant ibuprophen for swelling and pain and pen for potential infection. Given a day or two for swelling to go away and they've off and running. Diamondbacks are much more venomous, I would say if its been a couple days already and dogs is still alive I would treat the pain and swelling and keep that tough dog comfortable. Good luck to you.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: chopper on December 26, 2011, 05:25:46 pm Thanks. Yeah thats our plan for now.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: T-Bob Parker on December 26, 2011, 05:30:20 pm To the folks who know these things, is it to late for this fella to cattle prod the bite?
I've dealt with gobs of moccasin bites, but never a rattler. Good luck. Title: Re: snake bit Post by: ROCKIN ROO HOG DOGS on December 26, 2011, 05:36:50 pm Lost my good dog to a diamondback this summer,bite marks were inch and a half wide,he was dead in a 4 hr window,the snake was found in the tree he was chained to 3 hrs later,about 4 feet long and FAT!
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Reuben on December 26, 2011, 05:46:34 pm I have had an airedale bitten 2 or 3 times by a western diamondback rattler and she survived...have had several bitten by cotton mouths and all survived...just gotten lucky...no meds or shock therapy...and a pup by a copper head...
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: chopper on December 26, 2011, 05:48:25 pm shes made it for at least four days i was thinking she would of died by now like rockin roo said, just dont know if she will get worse or if she made it this long she will beat it.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Reuben on December 26, 2011, 05:54:46 pm shes made it for at least four days i was thinking she would of died by now like rockin roo said, just dont know if she will get worse or if she made it this long she will beat it. x2...more than likely she will be alright... Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Dexter on December 26, 2011, 06:05:41 pm old saying about if the dog is bit in front of the heart it will live and kinda like if its bit behind the heart dig a hole
Dexter Title: Re: snake bit Post by: DubbleRDawgs on December 26, 2011, 06:29:08 pm had my pit bit by a copperhead an oldtimer to give it a quartof milk and bacon grease and do to again in 4 hrs by night fall the swelling was gone ..the bite was on the leg and it was swollen 4 times normal ..good luck with your dog ..
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: GET.LOW.CURS on December 26, 2011, 06:39:01 pm had several dogs bit by western diamondbacks, one being a young pup on the nose... i've always kept them in a comfortable spot, gave them benadryl and mixed their water with either gatorade or pedialyte to make sure they stay hydrated...
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Purebreedcolt on December 26, 2011, 07:07:32 pm If she is still swollen give her dex 2cc if 4 mg 4 cc if 2mg. The swelling is what will kill her.
Title: Re: snake bite Post by: dhogdog on December 26, 2011, 07:17:36 pm Chopper, i have had a bird dog bitten in the head by a rattler. She swelled up something fierce but made it. From everything that i have read and heard, the dog should be ok. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: chopper on December 26, 2011, 07:50:15 pm Thanks everyone for the input, im gonna try the dex and a few other things and hope she makes it.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Silverton Boar Dogs on December 26, 2011, 07:56:14 pm chopper, I have have more than a dozen dogs bite on the head, all survived. Treatment was one dose of dex followed by benadryl untill the swell was gone.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Purebreedcolt on December 26, 2011, 08:08:07 pm I had one bit on the neck this year dex antihistamines and a round of penicillin she was fin but I caught it pretty quick now the dex and antibiotics will be what helps
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: halfbreed on December 26, 2011, 11:06:00 pm i've had several dogs bit by several differant species of snakes . and all the vets i ever talked to it about and took the dogs to told me that the dogs will most allways survive the snake bites that it is a secondary infection caused by the bite that will usually kill them so antibiotics is a must i've allways just givin penicillan and on a couple with basket ball size heads we lanced them to drain the swelling out . good luck hope all turns out .
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: matt_aggie04 on December 27, 2011, 08:43:52 am I have read that with a rattle snake bite the dog typically gets a fever that if not treated could get high enough to cause kidney damage and eventually kill the dog. Dealt with plenty of moccasin and copper head bites and only one rattle snake bite but the dog that got the bit had been given the rattle snake vaccine and either that or a lose dose bite left him with very little swelling which I was suprised to see.
Title: Re: snake bit Post by: Bump on December 27, 2011, 12:17:45 pm chopper, I have have more than a dozen dogs bite on the head, all survived. Treatment was one dose of dex followed by benadryl untill the swell was gone. x2 I havent had a dozen but same treatment. Havent taken last 2 to the vet. If shes eating she should be fine. |