pretty sure my lab got popped by a copperhead. advice.

Mine got bit by a cottonmouth the other week. All the vet did was give her Benadryl, antibiotic and a steroid. Said it was most crucial in the first 2 hours that the dog didn't go into shock. Don't let them eat tonight but give them water.
Copperhead may be different but just trying to help

Pepcid also helps

She'll be fine. It'll probably look pretty bad tomorrow, but big dogs handle snake bites very well.

I have had several beagles bitten and an ol timer told me a can of sardines and a quart of milk. Has worked every time. Hope this helps.

Do you just mix it up and apply it to the snake bitten area?

Update on the pup?

Antihistamines Do nothing for snake bites. Biggest worried are ensuring airway remains open and there's no infection at the bite site. In general recommend going to vet tone sure

People think all this stuff works (including antihistamine) bc the swelling goes away on its own after a few hours. I've treated countless dogs for this with nothing but pain meds and the result is the same almost every time as long as they don't take a big dose to the neck or face

My last boxer took a rattler to the face. He was fine the next day, but his usual floppy lips were completely swollen.

My kangal was bit in the neck as a puppy by a copperhead. And then the dumbass ate the snake too. Other than looking like fat bastard with 9 chins, he was fine.

Did puke up the snake though.

Snake bites don't warrant a vet visit in our house. If they are looking out of it, I've given a small dose of propanolol to keep them calm and avoid shock.

Never seen any dog die from a snakebite.

quote:

---

Antihistamines Do nothing for snake bites. Biggest worried are ensuring airway remains open and there's no infection at the bite site. In general recommend going to vet tone sure

People think all this stuff works (including antihistamine) bc the swelling goes away on its own after a few hours. I've treated countless dogs for this with nothing but pain meds and the result is the same almost every time as long as they don't take a big dose to the neck or face

---

My wife is a vet, she claims the mild sedation of the benadryl helps the animal calm but the actual effects of the antihistamines do nothing for the bite. I asked why does she give our dog benadryl when he gets bit, she just shrugged and said it can't hurt so why not. It does help keep him from going bonkers so there is that... We have a couple of pits that she hauls around with her all the time, they are real stupid and have been bit several times. I'm more amazed they haven't died from eating things out of the trash like balls of aluminum foil and a box of dishwasher tablets.