Got a snake/ Dog bit!

[austin552]

Noticed the dogs had dug a hole under the deck the other day. Then Yesterday morning my Jack Russel's face swollen and her eye swollen shut. Gave her a bath, washed out her eye and some Benedryl per vets directions. Taking her in today. Trying some Rid a snake.
God I hate snakes!!

[M.D. Holloway]

Your dog is lucky it wast't poisonous! Do you know what kind of snake it is?

[Drdogface]

I hope it wasn't a buzz tail that got her.. Dog's usually do OK unless the snake gets really agitated and goes 'full dose'. Lemme know what the vet says. Usually snake bites need to be treated ASAP.

[craigster59]

The local feed store has some homeopathic medicine for snake bites. It is to stabilize your dog until you can get treatment. Has anyone tried this stuff? I was thinking of picking some up, since I hike a lot w/ my dogs.

[Drdogface]

Originally posted by craigster59
The local feed store has some homeopathic medicine for snake bites. It is to stabilize your dog until you can get treatment. Has anyone tried this stuff? I was thinking of picking some up, since I hike a lot w/ my dogs.

I wouldn't know unless I knew the active ingredient. I have a hard time trusting homeopathics .... especially from a feed store...but doubt it would do any harm.

The actual antivenom is really expensive and few vets stock it...usually run up to the local hospital and buy it as needed. I usually give one or more fairly large doses of Dexamethason intra-venously. That is a form of cortisone. Hospitalize and IV fluids as well. There may be some skin and tissue sloughing at the bite site. Treatment ASAP will minimize the damage.

Young snakes are much more dangerous than adults, BTW. They give a full dose on each bite. Older snakes can regulate what they give.

There are some areas of the country where Snake Avoidance Classes can be scheduled. Smart investment. You would have to 'Google' that to see about it in your area.