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Dog snake bite
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:38 pm
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:38 pm
Had a thread on here a couple years back where 2 of my pups got popped, one died after 4 vials of antivenom and one made it out fine after 1. There was a lot of back and forth in that thread and the board in general on if dogs actually need antivenom for a snake bite.
Well unfortunately for me, the dog that survived the last bite to his paw, got bit again June 16th. Since he had antivenom before, the vet strongly suggested against it as the risk of anaphylactic shock was high.
Pepper spent 6 nights at the vet, he was on a steady regimen of Benadryl, steroids, and antibiotics. He ended up needing additional treatment for necrosis, red light therapy and topical stuff.
$2,100 later he was back home. He is still not 100% healed. He is a GSP used to running 7-9 miles a day, and this has taken its toll on him now to the point that he is whipped after 20 minutes or so outside in the heat. He lost 15 lbs during the ordeal and he is overall lucky to still be walking around.
I don't have an opinion on it either way, I listen to our vet that we trust. I know some will say they wouldn't have paid that, but he is a part of our family and we have a duty to treat him as such. Just some information, technically yes he did make it without antivenom, but it surely wasn't as simple as some Benadryl. He just now healed enough to stop bleeding.
1 day after the bite at the vet, I got him there early before the swelling even started.
2 weeks after the bite (graphic sorry)
This week, feeling good enough to get some outside smell on him.
Well unfortunately for me, the dog that survived the last bite to his paw, got bit again June 16th. Since he had antivenom before, the vet strongly suggested against it as the risk of anaphylactic shock was high.
Pepper spent 6 nights at the vet, he was on a steady regimen of Benadryl, steroids, and antibiotics. He ended up needing additional treatment for necrosis, red light therapy and topical stuff.
$2,100 later he was back home. He is still not 100% healed. He is a GSP used to running 7-9 miles a day, and this has taken its toll on him now to the point that he is whipped after 20 minutes or so outside in the heat. He lost 15 lbs during the ordeal and he is overall lucky to still be walking around.
I don't have an opinion on it either way, I listen to our vet that we trust. I know some will say they wouldn't have paid that, but he is a part of our family and we have a duty to treat him as such. Just some information, technically yes he did make it without antivenom, but it surely wasn't as simple as some Benadryl. He just now healed enough to stop bleeding.
1 day after the bite at the vet, I got him there early before the swelling even started.
2 weeks after the bite (graphic sorry)
This week, feeling good enough to get some outside smell on him.
6
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:44 pm to BoogaBear
bites to the face are far more dangerous than bites to an extremity. My mutts have both been bitten several times, both got antivenom the first time (and second time) and for one of them it was touch and go…had to do a full transfusion and we did not think she would make it.
the last time though (in may) it was a hind leg bite, I gave her Benadryl, prednisone and a gabapentin and she shook it off after a couple days. You just never know I guess
the last time though (in may) it was a hind leg bite, I gave her Benadryl, prednisone and a gabapentin and she shook it off after a couple days. You just never know I guess
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:52 pm to BoogaBear
Glad he’s ok
Posted on 7/10/26 at 9:53 pm to cgrand
quote:
You just never know I guess
I think this is the biggest thing. So many variables.
I actually thought during the whole process how insane tiger dad is
Posted on 7/10/26 at 10:28 pm to BoogaBear
For all that he had done and time at vet, I wouldn't been surprised if you said it was 5k.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 10:54 pm to BoogaBear
My wife is a vet, I’m not one nor do I claim to be. The back and forth comes from people not distinguishing between species of snakes.
Copperhead bites will usually be a lot of swelling and not much else, their venom just isn’t as toxic as others. This is why people perpetuate the myth that dogs don’t need antivenin. Copperheads are the easiest snake for a dog to cross paths with in the south, so a lot of people have seen a dog get bit and shake it off.
Cottonmouths are a step up from copperheads but still are more likely to cause local damage as opposed to systemic failure.
Rattlesnakes are on a different level. They’re far and away responsible for the fatal bites she sees. If you have a basic understanding of snakes and know your dog was bitten by a rattlesnake, eastern or timber, get them to a vet ASAP and clearly communicate that. Best case they can treat and worst case they can euthanize before you wrack up thousands of dollars treating a lost cause.
Copperhead bites will usually be a lot of swelling and not much else, their venom just isn’t as toxic as others. This is why people perpetuate the myth that dogs don’t need antivenin. Copperheads are the easiest snake for a dog to cross paths with in the south, so a lot of people have seen a dog get bit and shake it off.
Cottonmouths are a step up from copperheads but still are more likely to cause local damage as opposed to systemic failure.
Rattlesnakes are on a different level. They’re far and away responsible for the fatal bites she sees. If you have a basic understanding of snakes and know your dog was bitten by a rattlesnake, eastern or timber, get them to a vet ASAP and clearly communicate that. Best case they can treat and worst case they can euthanize before you wrack up thousands of dollars treating a lost cause.
Posted on 7/10/26 at 11:08 pm to BoogaBear
Man, that day 1, swollen head, can't even lift it brings back memories. Also, snake venom is not a histamine. Diphenhydramine isn't doing anything helpful.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 4:50 am to TheDrunkenTigah
My vet in MS gives my labs a rattle snake shot once a year. I have no idea what this does in terms of what will happen if they ever get bit by one.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 8:10 am to WillFerrellisking
I'm curious about that rattlesnake "vaccine", too.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 8:20 am to SoFla Tideroller
There was a man that used to inject himself with small amounts of deadly snake venom weekly. We're talking about the worst venom in the world.
He developed an immunity to a lot of them.
Believe he was in Australia.
He developed an immunity to a lot of them.
Believe he was in Australia.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 8:23 am to SoFla Tideroller
supposedly it builds antibodies in the bloodstream so that a subsequent bite isn’t so severe in effects.
honestly, snake avoidance training is more effective thing to do
honestly, snake avoidance training is more effective thing to do
Posted on 7/11/26 at 9:17 am to BoogaBear
My dog got bit on the face a month ago, most likely a moccasin. Neck swollen huge and foaming at the mouth. Brought to emergency vet at 10:30pm, picked him up next morning at 9a.m. - one vile anti-venom and $2k. Was completely fine 2 days later.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 9:38 am to cgrand
quote:
snake avoidance training
I have started looking into this. There's a group that does it across the south east. Gotta be cheaper than the vet bills. The GSP is smart enough he will figure it out.
My other dog already knows, he sees a snake and he's like nah frick that thing.
Posted on 7/11/26 at 9:48 am to SoFla Tideroller
I looked into it a while back. I don’t believe it was effective on the eastern diamond backs we have here in North Florida.
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