Snake Bite

[b_veselka]

Has anyone here had to deal w/ a Yorkie that has been snake bitten? I have an 8 month male that i let out in the back yard and he was bitten by a rattlesnake. This happened yesterday. I rushed him to the vet and started cortizone shots. He has not had any appetite today- the vet said that is normal, but that if his appetite does not return by tomorrow to bring him back in. he is rather weak- don't know if it is from lack of food or the antihistamines in the cortizone. We were very lucky that he was bitten on the head. this is truely the best place to take a snake bite. It really just makes me sick to think of it! I have been in my home now for 5 years and this is the first time we have ever even seen a rattlesnake. It was a small one (1.5 feet). With all of the heat that has recently taken over South Texas, I guess they are out for water. My husband is going tomorrow to purchase a snake proof fence. It is bad enough that it bit my Sparky- but it send a chill up my spine to think it could have been my daughter. If anyone has ever encountered this problem please let me know.

[ReconsMomma]

I thought that for snake bites they gave an anti venom?? I haven't ever dealt with a rattlesnake bite but I would call the vet and let them know that he is weak.

[b_veselka]

Anti-venin- yes this was one of the options that I was given. For just one injection the bill would have been 600.00. One injection is not always all that is needed. In past experiences w/snake bites and according to research I have done 80% of dogs recover w/ out any treatment at all. So, i decided to go the route that I could afford that would offer some comfort to my Sparky. For all those who do live in rural areas that have rattlesnakes i highly suggest that you talk to your vet about the new Red Rock Rattlesnake Vaccine. Unfortunately I found out about the vaccine too late. Ii is supposed to be quite effective in counteracting the effects of rattlesnake venom. Two vaccines are given in 2-4 week intervals then yearly thereafter. I will be getting my other dogs vaccinated.

[tarawood]

RecconsMama, you are right. They are supposed to give antivenin for rattlesnake bites. I don't want to scare you, but I am also working on my Master's in Environmetal Toxicology in addition to my law degree (I want to practice environmental law), and I am quite familiar with the effects of various toxins on the body, and rattlesnake venom is both hemotoxic and neurotoxic. Hemotoxic means it affects the blood and will destroy blood cells and skin tissue which can result in internal hemorrahing. Neurotoxic means that it will affect the nervous system and usually this is evidenced by lethargy and breathing problems (they might even stop breathing altogehter). The biggest concern is that you said the snake was very small, which I am assuming means it was a baby rattlesnake and baby rattlers have a majority of the neurotoxic chemical in their venom. If it was an adult rattler, you would see primarily hemotoxic effects. As a result, baby rattlers are the most dangerous. The cortizone shot will stop the swelling caused by the bite, but the antivenin needs to have been administered. Did your vet do that? If not, please call another vet and talk to them or take your baby in. I'd hate for something really bad to happen to him.

[tarawood]

Sorry, I didn't see your other reply until I posted. $600 for antivenin?? That's outrageous. You can go to the people ER and get it and it wouldn't cost that much! Well, just keep an eye on your baby and if you notice shallow or labored breathing, take him back in.

[yorkielover_201]

when my dog got bieten by a cotton mounth we put vazlen on him and he is still alive today and he got bitten about a year ago

[b_veselka]

Tara-
thanks for your response. I have talked to 3 vets and all have said the same thing. I have also look at several web sites and found the same info. The original anti-venin produced by horses was only 100.00-200.00 per vile. However the newer and supposably more effective anti-venin is produced from sheep and is the high price of 600.00. I found this info today on a website. Not that I am questioning your knowledge by any means. I do understand the nature of severity of rattlesnake bites and have dealt with them in larger breed dogs and pups of larger breeds and in the past. dogs bitten on the face or head have good chances of survival. I pray that I will get lucky with Sparky. Time will tell. So far, he has not shown any signs of labored breathing or shortness of breath. I just got off the phone with the 3rd vet and was told that the weakness and imbalance is very common and that his equalibrium is just way off right now with all of the swelling. Thanks so much for the reply. All of the vets have told me to give him until tomorrow to start eating. If he has not started to eat then to bring him in.

[tarawood]

I'm sure your vets know what they are doing. I'm sorry I didn't mean to imply they didn't. I was just worried for your baby. I didn't understand he offered you the choice of an antivenin, but said you really didn't need it. I didn't see that post till later.

My emphasis has been solely on human toxicology, and I know there are many physiological differences between animals and humans, so I have no doubt that the venom acts differently in dogs and of course a vet would be your best source of advice. I'm sure they would know whether or not antivenin would help. By the way, you only have about 4 hours to use the antivenin anyway or it loses its effectiveness, I forgot to mention that.

You are talking about the cro-fab antivenin that is so costly. You don't have to use that one, though some places try to force people too. People (or dogs??) who are allergic to horses have to use it though. About the new vaccine, isn't that only available in California or can you get it elsewhere? Just curious.

I'm sure your baby will be fine. Keep us posted on her recovery. Sorry if my post upset you.

[b_veselka]

Tara,
Thanks again. No, your post did not upset me. I understand and deeply appreciate your concern. I feel the same way about getting all of the knowledge that we have out to people who need help. So thank you, thank you, thank you! Actually, the website that I looked at about the vaccines did say that it was only available in California. Apparently it is not up to date, because about 2 months ago when I visited my regular vet I noticed the poster up advertising the vaccine. I did not ask about it at that time. Last night however, the vet that I went to also had the poster up right by the check in counter and I did ask about it before I left. They have it and have been administering it. In fact the vet tech that assisted the vet told me that she had her poodle vaccinated because she likes to roam and does not come back when she is called. So it is indeed available. It must be fairly new to Texas though because these are the only 2 places (besides the net) that I have ever heard of it. It is also relatively cheap. One of the vets charges 20.00 per vaccine and the other charges 25.00. As with all vaccines there are rare instances that harmful side effects including death may occur. However, we must remember that it's rare as is the case with any vaccine both human and animal. I just feel that after this experience that anyone who lives in an area w/ high rattlesnake populations, such as rural Texas areas, should educate themselves about the options such as this vaccine. Especially if their pets are not under constant supervision. It could mean the difference between life and death. Tara, thanks again for your insight. I do appreciate any and all useful information.

[orinskye]

my moms dog got bitten by a rattler, and we took her to an emergency vet, the vet we took her to played on guilt, they had given her one vile of anti venom and they said she still needed two more, AND an overnight stay, the bill was insane, . . . . my uncle said when the military dogs got bit, they only put ice on it..... unfortunatly we were "taken in" by this stupid vetrianrian. . . we hd made the choice to put the dog down after the first vile was given and then the vet came out and told us how horrible it was to put down a dog we loved over the cost that was necessary to save it...... "money is only money, but this is youre COMPANION and FAMILY that is dying" ...... what a load of crap.... i am still angry about it, beware of vetrinarians that try to make you feel whichever way fattens their profit

[b_veselka]

hey, thanks for the post. i am sorry the vet made you feel that way. that is so unfortunate! i did not feel pressured, thank goodness. actually the vet gave me my options and let me make the decision. he gave me the pros and cons of each option.in fact, he supported my decision. i feel lucky for that. this morning when I took Sparky back for his 2nd dose of cortizone, they brought out a chiuahua that had bit in almost the exact spot. they were doing the same treatment on her and she looked really good. I hope we're as lucky. as I said, time will tell.

[YorkieRose]

I wonder what it is about a dog that is so different from a human when it comes to this...a human would most likely die without anti-venom? So strange!..but lucky for dogs.

[CC's]

I had a larger breed dog bitten once by a rattler. We didn't see it happen or know it happened until his face swelled and was so lumpy it was hard to tell who he was. The vets didn't even offer anti-venom. It may have been to late to start it, I don't know. He did make it though.

I hope your baby does ok and gets well soon.

[yorkielover_201]

put some vazline on were the bits are and it will help him to

[rnnw62]

I am so sorry for you and your dog. About a month ago
I was at the Vet E.R. and a white shepard was brought
in with a rattle snake bite and I have to tell you I at first
when it was out side the door I thought it was a sheep
it's head was so swollen. Very scary thing to see...
Our thoughts will be with you and thanks for posting a subject
like this for all of us that live in the south. I will keep an eye
on this post for hopefully positive updates.