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Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:25 am
by Jeff
Well it finally happened yesterday. We had good productive training in our training day yesterday. Then afterwards I went out to the pond to burn some brush and let the dogs play while I was working (standard operating procedure). After about 3 hours of keeping watch on the fires, my older dog just kinda comes up to me while I am sitting down. I pet her and then notice blood on my leg. I get to looking at her, and half of her face and neck are already swollen.

So at 7:30 pm we head to Vet ER. One look and they confirm snakebite, give IM benadryl, antibiotics, swelling looking slightly better, the keep her for observation. Wife picked her up this am and she got worse last night but they got her back under control. She is now at regular vet for monitoring while we are at work.

Hopefully all will be well Lacey and her daughter Dora are my kids, don't know what I would do if the whole bite area goes into necrosis from the bite. Keep your fingers crossed for me guys.

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:31 am
by Eddie
hope she is ok good luck

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:09 pm
by goosebruce
Dude, i hate to hear it. Keep me posted bout the lacey dog. travis

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:35 pm
by GulfCoast
Hope she is OK soon!

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:38 pm
by mharville
Prayers sent up man...that's sad to hear..

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:41 pm
by rboudet
Wow, Sorry to hear that Jeff, keep me updated.

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:16 pm
by champcaller
prayers sent.

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:25 pm
by Greenhead329
Your dog should be fine if she made it through the night. Thats the most common area for them to be bitten. From what you posted thats pretty standard as to what we give at the clinic I used to work at....sometimes they give steroids but theres two schools of thought on that...depends on who you ask.
MAKE SURE they give you a tetanus vaccine before your dog comes home.

I wouldn't want anymore done for my own dog than a couple 100L of saline, a benadryl and antibiotics and the tetanus...Most k-9s are pretty resilient unless its just a BIG honken snake.

My roommates lab was bitten by a copperhead we think on a saturday and was out picking up doves by wednesday..

Hope all keeps going well for you :wink:

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:02 pm
by quackerbarrell
Work at a clinic.. The other day we had a german short haired pointer come in that had been out with the owner fishing an came up to him much like your situation.. Owner saw blood noticed swelling immediately, brought the dog in and after quick look over by the doctor confirmed three different bite wounds. Dogs has been with us four days now and seems to be getting better with time. Did not look good at first.

Quick action saves lives...

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:12 pm
by Jeff
Thanks for all of the support guys. The current update is that we got her back from observation now and she is at home. She is on some pain meds and antibiotics and seems to be doing well, lots of sleeping. Our orders are to just keep an eye on her over the next few days and make sure no abcess forms or anything seems to get worse. I will certainly keep you all in the loop.

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:35 am
by Meeka
good

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:45 am
by Damn_It_Boy
Great news Jeff!!

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:49 am
by T-Bone
Jeff,
Glad to hear that Lacey is doing better. tony

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:11 am
by Eddie
great news

Re: Snakebit

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:32 am
by Duck Chaser
jeff, I hope lacey continues to improve!