Registered: Dec 2012
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What's the best treatment if a dog gets snake bit? And what to expect?

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Registered: Jun 2012
Location: central maryland
Posts: 90

when I was stationed in TX we had dogs get bit on occasion. Honestly the first thing you have to have is a healthy dog on good feed with an uncompromised immune system. Obviousely that in itself will not ward off a snake bite but I mention this because if a dog is being raised on chicken feed and is full of worms all I can say is good luck. The guys from south TX told me they used a cocktail for lack of a scientific name comprised of a 50/50 mixture of injected combiotic and b12. Both should be available at your local feed store. You will have to get the dosage on the bottles. Draw it out, mixed, give a shake to blend in the syringe and inject under the loose skin on the back of the dogs neck. Both times I had to do this the swelling was gone in two days and the dogs suffered no ill affects. I live in Md. now so hopefully those days are behind me. Its also important to keep the dog quiet and comfortable even if that means bringing it inside in the ac and keeping it crated. In the woods if you suspect a snake bite always have on hand some sort of vet wrap or compression bandage to apply to the affected area usually the legs. You do not want to stop the flow of blood completely just slow it down. Get the dog out of the woods with as little exursion and stress on the dog as possible and and get it under treatment. I'm certainly no vet but this treatment worked for me. The best course is to get to a vet asap. Good luck.

Last edited by Hightower on 04-30-2013 at 04:45 PM

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Registered: Mar 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 217

quote:

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Originally posted by SWAMPTICK BLUES
What's the best treatment if a dog gets snake bit? And what to expect?

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Last edited by Plott55 on 05-11-2013 at 05:54 PM

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Registered: Jun 2012
Location: central maryland
Posts: 90

alot of folks doing the same meaning nothing and the dog turned out fine. I've also heard it go the other way as well. My take on it is you are certainly not going to hurt anything by giving a dose of a broad spectrum antibiotic and some vitamins if for nothing else some piece of mind. I would not get to amped up if my dog got bit. Just keep them quiet until the swelling goes down and keep a watchfull eye on them and they often times more so than not turn out fine.

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Registered: Dec 2012
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Posts: 15

Thanks for all the information. Im from michigan where we dont have any snakes, but im going south to run bear in a couple weeks and was just curious what to expect if one does get bit.

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Registered: Mar 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 217

Which state are you coming to??????

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Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Southeast TN
Posts: 130

If you or a dog are bitten by a snake, you should take/administer Benadryl immediately.

What happens to you or your dog after the snake bites you is your body's allergic reaction to the venom. Benadryl is an anti-histamine which reduces your bodies overreaction to the venom.

I keep a couple of pills with me in my tracking box bag at all times just in case.

There are other steroids that a vet/doctor may give you or your dog which essentially do the same thing, but Benadryl is easy and cheap to keep with you.

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Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Southeast TN
Posts: 130

Antibiotics are never a bad idea also. Sometimes if the swelling is immense, (typically from a timber rattler) it may burst at the site of the bite. The antibiotics will help to prevent infection if that happens.

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Registered: Jun 2007
Location: Menard,TX
Posts: 1158

I have two to three dogs bitten annually and found that the rattlesnake vaccine helps to increase the chance of survival as it will reduce the amount of swelling and infection. Before this vaccine, I was loosing a hound every year or so to a rattler bite. As long as the bite is on the head, you are generally okay. Worse bite is in muscle mass area such as hind leg. What generally kills the dog is too much infection for the kidneys to process, causing them to shut down.

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Registered: Dec 2012
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Posts: 15

the rattlesnake vaccine doesnt cover copperhead and water moccasin bites does it?

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Registered: Mar 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 17

Can't tell you anything about water moccasin or copperhead, but this is what we have done for rattlesnake.

Snake bite:
5 cc dexamethadone
Benadryl (antihistamine) -
1 cc/10 lb penicillin

Immediately administer, and continue for 3 days.


I have been told that a high percentage of the bites are dry bites having no venom, but they have filthy mouths and the infection is what gets a dog. keep them quiet and cool.

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Registered: Aug 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 800

Benadryl is the worst thing you can give a dog. All it does is lower the dogs already low blood pressure. Benadryl helps allergic reactions, bug bites ect. Dogs do not have an allergic reaction to snake bites (those that do are the ones that die almost immediately after being bit) Venom causes all the symptoms you see, thats how it works, its a poison, not an allergy. I've worked as a vet tech for years, and we see an upwards of 1-3 snakebites a day here in the summer. Antibiotics and Dexamethazone to help keep it from becoming infected and reduce swelling faster, an NSAID (no asprin!) like Rimadyl/Deramaxx/Previcoxx really help keep them comfortable.

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Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Southeast TN
Posts: 130

I have to disagree with you on the Benadryl being bad for dogs. Of course you give them steroids and antibiotics when you have them readily available which I think I said as much in my post, but I am talking about being in the woods and not in a vet clinic. I think by the time the guy has the dog to the vet, they could take it from there.

When I worked for the Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Benadryl was the only thing we were allowed to give hikers and tourists if they did get stung by bees, yellowjackets, or hornets or bitten by a snake or spider because its lack of negative side effects. When someone gets stung, they are injected with venom the severity of the side effects of each sting are dependent on the individuals allergic reaction. The same is the case with snake bites or so I've been taught.

"A bite from any venomous snake should be taken very seriously and immediate medical attention sought, as allergic reaction and secondary infection are always possible." I'd rather take steps against the allergic reaction than to assume it won't happen. If the only negative effect of Benadryl is it slows down the blood flow, then I would say mission accomplished since that is the first thing they tell you when you are bitten is to calm down and don't let your racing heart send the venom coursing through your body faster.

...but keep doing what you are doing if it works, I know I will continue to do the same thing that has worked for me. We have had as many as 6 dogs get bitten in one day, and so far we have not lost any dogs to a snake bite taking the steps I've described and I've never overdosed a dog or human on Benadryl.

The Dexamethazone is a steroid which is an immunosuppressant this helps control the bodies reaction to the venom. That is the same idea that is behind using antihistamines.

One of the main symptoms that you encounter with a dog or person that has been bitten is angioedema which is a rapid swelling of the subcutaneous tissue. This is treated by the use antihistamines (Benadryl), prednisolone (steroid), or adrenaline, depending on severity.

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Registered: Dec 2012
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Posts: 15

Do u need a prescription for the Dexamethazone or is it something i can order? I appreciate everyones input on the subject it sounds like alot of dogs get bitten and not that many die. so thats a good thing

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Diamondhead, Ms
Posts: 371

quote:

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Originally posted by SWAMPTICK BLUES
Do u need a prescription for the Dexamethazone or is it something i can order? I appreciate everyones input on the subject it sounds like alot of dogs get bitten and not that many die. so thats a good thing

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Registered: Oct 2011
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Posts: 389

I live in Mississippi and deal with snakes pretty regular. Normally I give them a lasics, ( fluid pill ) antibiotic, & fever reducer. All from the vet. Plus feed them raw bacon or lard. I started giving them the rattlesnake vaccine about 1 1/2 yrs ago. No trouble since! Had one get bit but never swelled. The shot I give covers 7 different toxcins. Rattlesnakes & pit vipers according to my vet. But I do give it every 6 months instead of once a year seeing as how the snakes are out in Ms from march thru October.

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Diamondhead, Ms
Posts: 371

I was not up to date on the snakebite vac. I'll call my vet tomorrow - can you give a ballpark price you pay for it?

Thanks!

Marc Price

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Registered: Oct 2011
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Posts: 389

I believe $20 or $25. He gave him one dose then went back a few weeks later for a second round then I've been doing every 6 months since. It's advertised for once a year after first 2 initial shots but my vet said as hard as I hunt and living where I do he reccomens every 6 months. I'd say I'd be the same for you since you live in La

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Diamondhead, Ms
Posts: 371

I'm only running one dog and we're only going out 3 or 4 times per week. We do have a couple spots that are pretty much dry - most of the time we're swampy. We see lots of cottonmouth moccasins in the wetland and a few canebreak rattlers in the dryer areas.

Again, thanks for the heads-up.

Marc Price

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Registered: Oct 2011
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Posts: 389

Your welcome

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location: Mt. Storm
Posts: 22

We had our first dog snake bit a couple of years ago. It was my wifes dog and of course she freaked out, but we put Cider Vinegar on it. You would have thought it was Peroxide we was put on her. It drew all the venemon out and she was ready to run the next morning.

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