My pup + snake bite

[nomoney]

My boxer is up at the ER with what they think is a snake bite. We were outside with him and never saw anything happen. One minute he was running around like normal and the next he wouldn't put any weight on his back leg. We checked out his paw and leg and saw nothing. Within minutes however his foot and leg swelled up to about triple the size of his others, blisters showed up, and his hair was falling out with a simple touch. When the hubby grabbed his foot the blisters popped and blood was every where and immediately filled back up

They are keeping him overnight because they are concerned that it might be a venomous bite and they want to run blood work and monitor him. They said if it is that the antivenin costs 2400$ a vile and he'd need at least two. I've been googling and what I've come across is saying that antivenin is probably not even needed. Would I be a bad pup owner if I told them to take those viles and stick them in their woohoos? Take our chances with just antibiotics and stuff? Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Hank]

My boxer is up at the ER with what they think is a snake bite. We were outside with him and never saw anything happen. One minute he was running around like normal and the next he wouldn't put any weight on his back leg. We checked out his paw and leg and saw nothing. Within minutes however his foot and leg swelled up to about triple the size of his others, blisters showed up, and his hair was falling out with a simple touch. When the hubby grabbed his foot the blisters popped and blood was every where and immediately filled back up

They are keeping him overnight because they are concerned that it might be a venomous bite and they want to run blood work and monitor him. They said if it is that the antivenin costs 2400$ a vile and he'd need at least two. I've been googling and what I've come across is saying that antivenin is probably not even needed. Would I be a bad pup owner if I told them to take those viles and stick them in their woohoos? Take our chances with just antibiotics and stuff? Anyone have any experience with this?

Sounds like a copperhead got him! They are going to be bad this year... I would get the anti-venom if that is the case. Hope he gets better!

 

[Lilypad]

Now I'm really confused about this; it is my understanding for copperhead bites, antivenin is generally not recommended and rarely needed.
Hoping your pet is doing better!!

 

[Katelin]

I agree w/ Lily.
Supportive care is best.
Antivenin should be given within 4 hours to be effective.

From Drs. Foster and Smith, well worth reading. But at this time of night, well after the bite, I would say no, just supportive treatment (IVs, meds, antibiotics, pain meds, rest, observation.)

One more article says this:
Treatment

With rapid treatment, most pets with Crotalidae ( what a copperhead is) snakebites recover. Treatment varies depending on which species of snake was responsible for the bite as well as the signs of toxicity displayed by the pet.

Antivenin (polyvalent Crotalidae) is available and recommended for rattlesnake bites. Antivenin is a product created from antibodies produced by an animal purposely exposed to snake venom. It helps to counteract the venom on the pets system. It is a human product and availability may be limited in certain geographic areas. It can also be very expensive ($300 to $400 per vial with each pet needed 1 to 3 vials) and may cause allergic reactions in some pets. For this reasons, pets are hospitalized and closely monitored.

For copperhead bites, antivenin is generally not recommended and rarely needed.

Good luck to you and your pup!

 

[mamatutu]

My boxer is up at the ER with what they think is a snake bite. We were outside with him and never saw anything happen. One minute he was running around like normal and the next he wouldn't put any weight on his back leg. We checked out his paw and leg and saw nothing. Within minutes however his foot and leg swelled up to about triple the size of his others, blisters showed up, and his hair was falling out with a simple touch. When the hubby grabbed his foot the blisters popped and blood was every where and immediately filled back up

They are keeping him overnight because they are concerned that it might be a venomous bite and they want to run blood work and monitor him. They said if it is that the antivenin costs 2400$ a vile and he'd need at least two. I've been googling and what I've come across is saying that antivenin is probably not even needed. Would I be a bad pup owner if I told them to take those viles and stick them in their woohoos? Take our chances with just antibiotics and stuff? Anyone have any experience with this?

Agree with Kate and Lily. Our Oreo was bitten by copperhead about six years ago. We let her out to do her business late at night before going to bed and did not know something was wrong til morning. Took her to doc, and given antibiotics and all that...and she was fine. She is now 14. Let us all know how your lovee is doing. Those dang snakes, but we did invade their territory. Just a note...copperheads tend to live in firewood piles, or in dense ground cover in one's front yard, or something that is dense/hidden like doesn't get disturbed much. We learned that, and cleared out alot of stuff and haven't seen many copperheads since. Also, our neighbor's dog was bitten a few years ago, and they say because they were throwing left over food done the hill (don't know why cuz I use trash can), but they found a nest of copperheads right there where the food was, and their dog went near it. I can't explain it, just trying to help.

 

[Katelin]

Agree with Kate and Lily. Our Oreo was bitten by copperhead about six years ago. We let her out to do her business late at night before going to bed and did not know something was wrong til morning. Took her to doc, and given antibiotics and all that...and she was fine. She is now 14. Let us all know how your lovee is doing. Those dang snakes, but we did invade their territory. Just a note...copperheads tend to live in firewood piles, or in dense ground cover in one's front yard, or something that is dense/hidden like doesn't get disturbed much. We learned that, and cleared out alot of stuff and haven't seen many copperheads since. Also, our neighbor's dog was bitten a few years ago, and they say because they were throwing left over food done the hill (don't know why cuz I use trash can), but they found a nest of copperheads right there where the food was, and their dog went near it. I can't explain it, just trying to help.

Tossing scrap food out for animals to eat brings in animals..mice, rats being the first...and with those you get snakes. A mini food chain is created. This also happens with bird feeders that are not cleaned on a regular basis.
Dropped seeds attract mice and mice are the #1 food for snakes ...YUM!!!
Dont want snakes, do as Auntie says, clean up you area!!

 

[DeeCee]

my daughters jack was bitten 3 times in quick succession on the side of her muzzle. her face/head swelled up so quick she was in danger of strangulation from her collar. we got the collar cut off, and rushed her to the vet. we chose antivenin only because she was so small (12 lbs) and the bite was so close to her eyes and brain. She ended up loosing a dime sized chunk of her lip with a big zig zag scar.

the stupid snake was next to the dumpster in her condo parking lot, the dumpster is along the woods edge too. her jack was on a flexi and she had walked by the snake first wearing flip flops - BLEH.

i stepped on a pair of them next to my tack/feed shed, here is the video of what happed next: COPPERHEAD VIDEO 9/13/11 on One True Media - video sharing.

 

[DoWhat]

Years ago my dog got bit on her snout by a copperhead.
Took her to the ER too.
They offered the anti venom, but said it really wasn't needed for large dogs.
Brought her home the next day.
Found the snake the next morning, dead.

Please keep us updated.
Hope she heals soon.

 

[nomoney]

Thanks all. We are headed back up there now to pick him up. He is pretty swollen still but should do ok after a few days. Will check in again once we pick him up and getter details.

 

[frequentflier]

Thanks all. We are headed back up there now to pick him up. He is pretty swollen still but should do ok after a few days. Will check in again once we pick him up and getter details.

 

[dawn]

Thanks all. We are headed back up there now to pick him up. He is pretty swollen still but should do ok after a few days. Will check in again once we pick him up and getter details.

to your pup. Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[ICit]

They usually don't use antivenom anymore.... fluids... sterioids .. and check the coagulation panels....there are two they have to check.

 

[bresamil]

Poor pup! Hoping for a swift recovery.

 

[nomoney]

He's home. Can tell he's hurting but his stump is wagging like normal. It was a venomous bite but we are just monitoring swelling and tissue damage now. In the pic you can see how swollen his leg is compared to his other one. Poor guy.

 

[Baja28]

He's home. Can tell he's hurting but his stump is wagging like normal. It was a venomous bite but we are just monitoring swelling and tissue damage now.

Damn! Ouch! Poor pooch.

 

[Dakota]

He's home. Can tell he's hurting but his stump is wagging like normal. It was a venomous bite but we are just monitoring swelling and tissue damage now. In the pic you can see how swollen his leg is compared to his other one. Poor guy.

I am so sorry you are all going through this... dog/family/kids - just everyone!

I was reading that NOTHING can prevent copperheads. Stores sell sprays blah blah blah but there is nothing you can do??? Can that be right?

What concerns me and I am sure something you've already thought about is where there is one, there is more.

 

[DoWhat]

where there is one, there is more.

myth
They are out there, but do not hang out in packs.
Get rid of brush and anything that attracts mice, moles and toads.

nomoney,
Glad to hear that your Boy is home and getting spoiled rotten (as it always is and should be).

 

[mamatutu]

He's home. Can tell he's hurting but his stump is wagging like normal. It was a venomous bite but we are just monitoring swelling and tissue damage now. In the pic you can see how swollen his leg is compared to his other one. Poor guy.

That is exactly where our Oreo was bitten. I am so glad to hear your poopy is going to be ok. I thought so, but one never knows. His paw will be as good as new soon!

 

[nomoney]

myth
They are out there, but do not hang out in packs.
Get rid of brush and anything that attracts mice, moles and toads.

nomoney,
Glad to hear that your Boy is home and getting spoiled rotten (as it always is and should be).

Where we live is surrounded by woods and this crazy dog is a shy pooper. Meaning he goes behind the roughage on the wood lines so you can't see him while he's doing his duty. We have scoured his fave spots all day today and haven't seen anything; of course its probably long gone.

He's been laying passed out in dad's lap all afternoon. I think dad is enjoying it more than the dog

 

[nomoney]

That is exactly where our Oreo was bitten. I am so glad to hear your poopy is going to be ok. I thought so, but one never knows. His paw will be as good as new soon!

Its good to hear that others have dealt with this and none had very serious outcomes. This is a first for us and we were freaking out thinking the worst. Now that we realize it will just be a rough couple of days instead of the crap we were thinking last night we are def more at ease.