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kfirouz · 08-11-2013, 10:03 AM

Hello, I really wanted to share my experience for those whom may be like I was trying to make double sure that our dog will survive a copperhead bite. Two nights ago my 4 month old 2-3lb male yorkie was bitten on the face and throat- i think in one big bite. We rushed him to the animal hospital because it was about 10 in the evening when it happened. Initially, he was screaming at the door and ran inside like a wild animal. I could tell that something was not right from the look on his face and the cry. One of his eyes looked strange, I don't know why that was something that I first picked up on because his eyes are fine. But maybe the venom caused the eyelid to droop or look wild, not sure but I checked the area on that side of his face and found some blood coming from the corner of his mouth and what resembled a puncture would under his jawline in the throat/neck area. It was hard to really examine him due to his hair being in the way and his pain and screaming when handled. My first thought, was that it was a snake bite, but I wasn't ruling out an attack from a raccoon or opossum. My german shepherd is out there with him, so I sort of had doubts about that theory, but the way he was in pain seemed to me like his jaw could have been broken. We made it to the E.R. in about 40 minutes, due to distance. During the ride he would periodically scream when moving his head, which he was in so much pain that he could not rest his head down. Holding him made it worse so we transported him in his kennel. We did not see any foaming at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, or convulsions. I thought because he was such a tiny animal, so young, and bitten on the face that he would surely die. But, after the 40 minute car ride to the E.R. he was still with us and that gave me a lot of hope. The vet gave him pain medicine, diapthermine (? spelling), and antibiotics and then we brought him home. That was what we chose to allow the vet to do, the vet on the other hand wanted to do much more. Our dog only seemed to be in immense pain, with no other side effects from the venom. The next day he was very lethargic and swollen, despite that he managed to scarf down his fancy feast with no problems. Two days after the bite, he seems less swollen, less lethargic, and with more spring in his step and wag in his tail. I had concerns about permanent damage, but I believe he is going to make a full recovery. P.S. It was most likely a copperhead because that is the only type of snake we have ever found near the house.

08-11-2013, 10:03 AM	#38
kfirouz YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hockley Posts: 1	Copperhead Bite Hello, I really wanted to share my experience for those whom may be like I was trying to make double sure that our dog will survive a copperhead bite. Two nights ago my 4 month old 2-3lb male yorkie was bitten on the face and throat- i think in one big bite. We rushed him to the animal hospital because it was about 10 in the evening when it happened. Initially, he was screaming at the door and ran inside like a wild animal. I could tell that something was not right from the look on his face and the cry. One of his eyes looked strange, I don't know why that was something that I first picked up on because his eyes are fine. But maybe the venom caused the eyelid to droop or look wild, not sure but I checked the area on that side of his face and found some blood coming from the corner of his mouth and what resembled a puncture would under his jawline in the throat/neck area. It was hard to really examine him due to his hair being in the way and his pain and screaming when handled. My first thought, was that it was a snake bite, but I wasn't ruling out an attack from a raccoon or opossum. My german shepherd is out there with him, so I sort of had doubts about that theory, but the way he was in pain seemed to me like his jaw could have been broken. We made it to the E.R. in about 40 minutes, due to distance. During the ride he would periodically scream when moving his head, which he was in so much pain that he could not rest his head down. Holding him made it worse so we transported him in his kennel. We did not see any foaming at the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, or convulsions. I thought because he was such a tiny animal, so young, and bitten on the face that he would surely die. But, after the 40 minute car ride to the E.R. he was still with us and that gave me a lot of hope. The vet gave him pain medicine, diapthermine (? spelling), and antibiotics and then we brought him home. That was what we chose to allow the vet to do, the vet on the other hand wanted to do much more. Our dog only seemed to be in immense pain, with no other side effects from the venom. The next day he was very lethargic and swollen, despite that he managed to scarf down his fancy feast with no problems. Two days after the bite, he seems less swollen, less lethargic, and with more spring in his step and wag in his tail. I had concerns about permanent damage, but I believe he is going to make a full recovery. P.S. It was most likely a copperhead because that is the only type of snake we have ever found near the house.