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Post by Bill on Aug 28, 2006 7:33:27 GMT -5
Brother in law was cutting wood on his place down in Kansas yesterday. His dog was doing its usual and running around like he always does. They kept watch on him pretty well but one time they looked up he was just sitting with his head down. He started calling him in but the dog just kept setting there with its head down. Finally they went over to see what the problem was and the dogs whole side of his head was already swollen and blody. By the time they got him to the vet his jowls were swollen so bad that the jowls actually were lying on his chest and he couldnt lay his head down anymore. Vet said he couldn't do a thing for him and that he had definatly been bit by a rattle snake. I talked to them last night and they were giving the dog benadril and wern't sure the dog would make it. Seems the dog was having trouble breathing and could't swallow. This is what I dred living out here where I do and wanting to hunt my dog here.
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Post by dakota on Aug 28, 2006 7:45:51 GMT -5
I have lived in snake country much of my life. I think that was an unusual occurance. Man that is sad. My dog is with me much of the time. She isn't three yet and she does not seem to know that there are things she should be scared of. I think if she saw a rattle snake she would go to sniff it. However, she does keep away from my back deck and I guess the snake is still there, no I have not gone in after it. I have not seen statistics on this but I would venture that dogs hit by cars or shot by assholes or poisoned by same would all out number the snake bitten dogs.
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donnie
Grand Member
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Post by donnie on Aug 28, 2006 9:51:39 GMT -5
Dakota, YUP!
Bill, Snake bite, even if venom is injected is not always fatal. Especially so to dogs for whatever reason. I had the same concerns when we lived in South Dakota, I talked to our vet, (an old no nonsence type) about carrying antivennin He recommended against it and in fact if memory serves could not give it to me to carry. Best bet is to have your girl snake proofed by a competent handler with experience and a defanged rattler.
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donnie
Grand Member
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Post by donnie on Aug 28, 2006 9:53:50 GMT -5
Now, if you all will excuse me I have dogs to run!!!!
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Post by jimh on Aug 28, 2006 19:21:25 GMT -5
how many of you guys keep a bottle of benadryl with you out in the field and some sort of device to get it down their throat should they get snake bit or find a yellow jacket hive?
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Post by bullseye on Aug 28, 2006 19:59:58 GMT -5
We keep a bottle of ammonia handy. I actually carry a small quantity in my back pack out in the field too. Ammonia will reduce the swelling if applied quickly and reapplied every 10-15 minutes for the first two hours.
Panda attacked a yellow jacket hive a couple of years ago. When she came to me I could tell she was already swelling in the mouth and face. We applied the ammonia and in a short period of time the swelling stopped and started to go down. When she was the worst she had jowls that looked like a St. Bernard. I was really concerned wondering how many stings she had gotten. It is definitely something to be careful of.
I don't think the ammonia will work on snake bite thought. Unless we are in a couple places in the state we usually don't have to be too concerned with snake bites.
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Post by Bill on Aug 28, 2006 20:43:36 GMT -5
Well I sent Donnie pic's of the dog. Its still alive but it has a sac under its throat the size of a volly ball from all the fluid thats gathered there. Still having problems with swallowing but thats as much as I know right now.
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donnie
Grand Member
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Post by donnie on Aug 29, 2006 10:01:00 GMT -5
Just a wait and see kinda thing right now. Keeping the swelling down will sure help. I do carry benedryl with me in the field Jim. I also carry vet wrap, super glue, a good sharp blade, and have carried sutures when out west and hunting 100 miles or more from a vet. Also keep peroxide in the truck (to make a dog vomit) and always have a good side cutter on hand for snares. If on an extended hunt I keep peanut butter and honey handy. (secret weapon!!)
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Post by Bill on Aug 29, 2006 10:19:34 GMT -5
I didn't know about the peroxide thing but the Peanut butter and honey is awsome and even works on me. ;D It sure gives a boost when WE need it.
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bounce
Royal Member
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Post by bounce on Aug 29, 2006 12:48:10 GMT -5
Peroxide? blond snake bite cure?
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donnie
Grand Member
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Post by donnie on Aug 29, 2006 13:01:57 GMT -5
Bounce, I knew this blonde snake once that could bite the.................Oh hell forget it
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Post by jabba on Aug 31, 2006 6:39:24 GMT -5
I knew a blonde girl once that could bite a snake so deep ... er nevermind.
Jabba
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Post by jabba on Aug 31, 2006 6:40:35 GMT -5
How's the dog Bill? It's been a couple days now.
Jabba
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Post by jimh on Aug 31, 2006 6:51:21 GMT -5
this is the picture he sent donnie and was then forward to me. man that looks bad
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Post by Bill on Aug 31, 2006 6:53:17 GMT -5
No problem. It had a couple rough days where it had a tough time drinking or swallowing. He couldn't breath through its nostrils very well either for that matter. His lips for that matter were about 5 times their original size. He still has this huge sac of fluid under his chin but his breathing has finally gotten better and he has begun to drink finally. Vet says if he has made it this far he will be fine. Biggest problem with a bite to the face like this is the swelling and what it can do like shutting off his air. About the only thing they can do then is shoot him up with steriods (cortazone) and hope the swelling goes down before he strangles to death. But it didn't get that far so Brother in laws says he just lays there and only gets up long enough to swim in the pool and then goes back and lays down again. But getting better every day. If you look close at the pic's you can see the width of the fang marks. Man that must of been one big rattler that got him. The dog must of been shaking his head to get the snake off as it really ripped him with one fang while the other fang must of come out. Besides, if you knew that dog he is too mean and tough to put up with a snake hanging onto his lip. ;D Brother in law brought home a stray cat he found at the shop. The cat walked around for a couple days surveying his new home. Buck finally got tired of the cats arrogance of thinking it was moving in and walked over and bit it. Cat was dead. ;D Buck just went back and lay down and surveyed his territory some more like no big deal. ;D
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