Canine snake bite treatment question

bigbcustom

bigbcustom

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
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I know this is a little off topic, but as I was sitting here thinking about hiking this spring, the thought hit me "what the hell do I do when I am five miles from a road/car, and my dog gets bit by a rattler?". I realized that I have never thought of this, and I didn't have a clue. I hike with my dog/dogs a lot (135lb great pyrenees, and 50lb norwegian elkhound), and they are like my children. I thought I would post here to see if anybody might have a clue about what to do in this situation. Would you use suction on bite area? instant ice pack? I really have no idea. I will now, of course, speak to my Vet, but thought I would see what the sea of intelligence here has to say on the matter. Thanks in advance.
 
Bigbcustom,
Do check with your vet. There is a new pre-bite treatment that your vet can give your dog to minimize the effects of snakebite. I have only read about it and have no personal experience with it, but next time I take my dogs in I will be asking my vet about it. I don't know what part of the country you are in, you mention rattlesnake. I live in central Texas and Rattler is a concern for me as well. I carry an extraction kit with me for myself and the dogs when hiking. I would treat my dogs like I would a person, try to keep them calm, tie a bandana or flat cord above the bite area loose enough to stick your finger under, not a tourniquet. Use the extraction kit, don't use your mouth. Apply disinfectant to the bite area. Transport to a Vet asap. Try to get a disscription to the snake or the snake itself if you can kill it.
I train my dogs to stay away from objects with the "leave it" command, so if I am near and see what is happening I have some control. I would like to get my hands on a dead snake to train to recognize that smell and leave it alone.
Just my 2 cents worth.
OldSalt
 
I have had several dogs get bit by rattlers. None of them had any major problems. My bassett's head swole up like a melon for a few hours, and my lab wasz sick and slept for a full day, back to normal the next day. As for the snakes......they usually don't make it :).
 
jokrswylde said:
I have had several dogs get bit by rattlers. None of them had any major problems. My bassett's head swole up like a melon for a few hours, and my lab wasz sick and slept for a full day, back to normal the next day. As for the snakes......they usually don't make it :).
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From what I have seen around here, the above is correct unless the dog is very old. I would defiantly look into the pre treatments and see a vet afterward if the dog got bit, but I wouldn’t sweat it.

So how do you like your Great Pyrenees? Also seems like a great question, pet get overlooked a lot, I know the first aid get that goes with my horses would probably supply a hospital in some third world countries, it takes a lot of supplies for a good kit.
 
Ive got this one. I have a whole print out prepared in response to it. Wait till I get back home. I got it from a vet friend of mine
 
From some notes I have

snakebitedog.jpg


these rules work for humans for the most part too
 
Horned Toad said:
From what I have seen around here, the above is correct unless the dog is very old. I would defiantly look into the pre treatments and see a vet afterward if the dog got bit, but I wouldn’t sweat it.

So how do you like your Great Pyrenees? Also seems like a great question, pet get overlooked a lot, I know the first aid get that goes with my horses would probably supply a hospital in some third world countries, it takes a lot of supplies for a good kit.
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Got him from a shelter. He was a Christmas puppy that got too big a few years ago. When we got him, he was scared of men especially with hats. If you picked up a stick or broom for any reason, he would run like hell. Now he is an adult that I have had for almost three years. He is the most wonderful dog I have ever had. Pyrenees have strange habits, and senses of humor, but once you get used to them IMHO they are wonderful. He is completely friendly to everyone if I am around. If I am not around, nobody gets in my yard (it becomes his yard and he defends it vigorously), and nobody gets within 10 feet of my wife unless she pointedly orders him down. People tend to respect that big a dog especially when his copious hair is all standing on end making him look like a small polar bear.
 
bigbcustom said:
Got him from a shelter. He was a Christmas puppy that got too big a few years ago. When we got him, he was scared of men especially with hats. If you picked up a stick or broom for any reason, he would run like hell. Now he is an adult that I have had for almost three years. He is the most wonderful dog I have ever had. Pyrenees have strange habits, and senses of humor, but once you get used to them IMHO they are wonderful. He is completely friendly to everyone if I am around. If I am not around, nobody gets in my yard (it becomes his yard and he defends it vigorously), and nobody gets within 10 feet of my wife unless she pointedly orders him down. People tend to respect that big a dog especially when his copious hair is all standing on end making him look like a small polar bear.
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been looking into the breed quite a bit, there are some folks here doing a anatolian shepard/ great pyrenees cross that is supposed to be outstanding, I am just about in the position to get one:D
 
they offer rattlesnake training classes that teach your dog to spot them alert you and stay away. i dont know if they do this near you but it may be something to look into. most dogs arent dumb enough to get bitten and it seems they fair better than people when they do. especialy larg breeds.
 
Horned Toad said:
been looking into the breed quite a bit, there are some folks here doing a anatolian shepard/ great pyrenees cross that is supposed to be outstanding, I am just about in the position to get one:D
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They are both the same basic kind of dog. Make sure you know what you are getting into before you get one though. They will never be obediance champs....they were bred to operate autonomously, and still want to be that way, they will subordinate themselves to their owner/master, but will not obey nearly as well as most breeds. They always want the whole family together, if someone isn't where they are supposed to be, the dog can act really crazy. They are extremely emotionally sensitive dogs....they never forget an act from someone whether it is negative or positive. They are very sensitive to status in the household, you must be the dominant lifeform in the house or the pyrenees will never listen to a thing you say. They can and will move large amounts of dirt in your yard...it is their nature to dig shallow beds in their favorite areas. They need to be brushed at least once a week (this will take a long time) if not more. They shed all year around, I vacuum my carpet every evening and get a good handful of hair out of my vac every day. They have double dew claws that must be trimmed regularly.....NEVER have them removed as they are attached differently than most dew claws and it not recommended to have them removed..


I could go on and on, but what you need to do is purchase a good book on the breed and read it as well as research on the internet before getting a Pyrenees...they are a joy to live with as long as you take the time to understand them so you can treat them as needed and not like one of the more mainstream breeds. I would recommend getting in touch with your local chapter of pyrenees rescue...they usually have pyrs and pyr/anatolian shepherd crosses available. You can also check www.petfinder.com. Well, enough dog stuff lol. If you want any advice/recommendations on pyrs, just drop me an email at bigbt@comcast.net
 
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