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My adult Catahoula (50lbs) got bit this evening on the ankle by a snake

Posted on 9/15/20 at 10:08 pm
Posted by SuperFanDan
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2007
1356 posts
Posted on 9/15/20 at 10:08 pm
We didn't see the snake or hear her get bit and we didn't find out until much later so I wasn't able to find the snake.

Her entire front leg is swollen and the two fang holes are both weeping clearish fluid. Her tail is drooping and she's obviously in a subdued mood but she's not completely laid out by it.

I have a much smaller mutt that got bitten on the snout about 2 years ago and he shook it off no problem.

Should I be worried or just ride it out. I've had lots of friends tell me their dogs made it through snake bites okay but I don't want to be foolhardy.

Anyone got any advice or experience to share?
This post was edited on 9/15/20 at 10:08 pm
Posted by X123F45
Member since Apr 2015
27622 posts
Posted on 9/15/20 at 10:10 pm to
Give her a comfortable place to lay in a cool area with a little water.

She'll be fine.

Vet wont give antivenom so letting it ride is the best route.

Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
5285 posts
Posted on 9/15/20 at 10:12 pm to
Children’s bendryl
Posted by Carson123987
Middle Court at the Rec
Member since Jul 2011
66528 posts
Posted on 9/15/20 at 10:39 pm to
It’ll be fine, big dogs have no trouble with snake bites outside of rattlesnakes
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 9/16/20 at 7:35 am to
quote:

Anyone got any advice or experience to share?


I couldn't guess a number for how many snake bit dogs I've seen but its been a lot. Dogs handle snake bites just fine, I've never seen one have anything worse than a few days of swelling and maybe some lethargy. Bit on the face, legs, ears, neck, basically everywhere and it never seemed to matter much. She'll be fine shortly.
Posted by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
19570 posts
Posted on 9/16/20 at 8:34 am to
We had a bluetick that got bit in the neck while pregnant.

She survived and so did the pups
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
98754 posts
Posted on 9/16/20 at 2:41 pm to
My lab got bit on the nose by a cottonmouth a few years ago. Vet gave him an anti inflammatory shot and DMSO cream to put on the bite area every two hours. It drew the venom out and he bled all over the place but it healed without a scar.

Take her to the vet, if nothing else they will give you peace of mind and make her more comfortable.
This post was edited on 9/16/20 at 2:48 pm
Posted by DTRooster
Belle River, La
Member since Dec 2013
7990 posts
Posted on 9/16/20 at 3:36 pm to
my lab got bit in the face, swole up like a pumpkin. 5 days later you couldn't tell
Posted by Gtmodawg
PNW
Member since Dec 2019
4580 posts
Posted on 9/16/20 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

We didn't see the snake or hear her get bit and we didn't find out until much later so I wasn't able to find the snake.

Her entire front leg is swollen and the two fang holes are both weeping clearish fluid. Her tail is drooping and she's obviously in a subdued mood but she's not completely laid out by it.

I have a much smaller mutt that got bitten on the snout about 2 years ago and he shook it off no problem.

Should I be worried or just ride it out. I've had lots of friends tell me their dogs made it through snake bites okay but I don't want to be foolhardy.

Anyone got any advice or experience to share?


My lab has been beaten by western diamonbacks several times...she hates the things and they seem to feel the same way about her. She will swell up but it doesn't seem to effect her....she will continue to hunt.

I went to the vet the first time and they asked about vaccinating her. I didn't know such a thing existed and was willing to do it...about $300 I think...when the vet told me that its rare for a dog to suffer much from a snake bite. I decided against it but it is out there if you think you may need it. The folks in New Mexico are mixed on it...some wouldn't dream of having a dog without it and some, like me, didn't see the point. Her having been bitten several more times with no ill side effects tells me it probably ain't necessary....now if it would somehow soften her views on sharing the planet with snakes of all stripes I would pay for it but I do not think anything short or room temperature is ever going to soften her opinion on snakes or road runners...she can't tolerate a road runner either....
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