Meds for a snakebit dog?

[redkneck]

I've seen my mutts snakebit as a kid and they all got over it in time. This afternoon it looks like my lab took a good one to the upper lip and front paw. Is there anything to give them like over the counter to help speed the healing process? She's still up and about good, but in a lot of pain. At what point do you call the vet?

[stcif]

I would say now if she's in a lot of pain. I don't know too much about snake bites.

[Hunt or be Hunted]

I would say now if she's in a lot of pain. I don't know too much about snake bites.

I would go with him, but I'm not a vet or anything.

[Dakota]

Poor pooch! I'd call right away if I were you. What kind of snake do you think it was?

Dakota

[bluelund79]

I'd get her to the vet asap....Or shoot dogdoc a pm and see what he thinks. Hope your little lady gets healed up quick...

[redkneck]

Thanks guys. Her left side of her face is swollen pretty bad, like a tennis ball, but she still has her appetite. I'm just watching her for now. I don't know if you can give a dog benadryl like you can kids when they have a reaction. She's doing pretty good so far despite the swelling.

[dogdoc]

Most snake bites result in swelling due to reaction to the venom and then a secondary infection from the bacteria in the snakes mouth. When treating a snake bite the dogs get an injection of a steroid, benedryl, and are started on a penicillin based antibiotic.

I would recommend a visit to your vet before infection settles in the bite area.

todd

[redkneck]

Swelling seems to be subsiding a bit.

[dogdoc]

I would at least start your dog on 50 mg of benedryl to help with the swelling. You need to take his temperature (rectally) and if it is above 102 then he needs to get started on some antibiotics.

[redkneck]

Thanks Todd. I'll get on it.

[Dakota]

Now that is one forlorn looking lab!

[Hunt or be Hunted]

Make sure you keep us updated John! I feel soo sorry for the dog

[Dakota]

Make sure you keep us updated John! I feel soo sorry for the dog

Yes, John, please do!

[redkneck]

Went to the store and picked up some benadryl. She has the amazing ability to hear a cheese single rapper being upwrapped from a mile away

I think she'll be a lot better by morning....... I hope. If not the vet is just a few miles away.

Thanks to you all for the help!

[RangerClay]

Hope she is felling better this morning.

WTG Todd! One of these days we need to figure out what your Realtree Vet bill is.

[stevebeilgard]

i hope she's learned a bit about snakes. good luck getting her better.

[redkneck]

Thanks Joe. I took her to the vet this morning, but I forgot they only open on Sat 9-11:00, so we came back home. The swelling on the side went down some, now she just looks like spudz mckenzie with a huge sagging jowl. I guess I'll go back in a little while. It's probably not necessary, she's acting fine and hungry as always, but she's the family baby, lol and the kids want her out and about playing ball, so I'm not wanting to have a lot of secondary infection and stuff.

[Dakota]

Went to the store and picked up some benadryl. She has the amazing ability to hear a cheese single rapper being upwrapped from a mile away

It's amazing how they can hear those things from so far away and yet sometimes selectively hear our commands. Glad to hear she's on the mend, John!

Dakota

[Diamond Archer 01]

Hope she gets better.

[buckee]

Poor dog. I hope she gets better real quick.

[redkneck]

Got back from the vet. Two shots and some antibiotics. She's fine, just didn't want to deal with infection/tissue damage. Vet said that was the fifth snakebit dog this week, including 2 that died.

Thanks for all the advice and well-wishes guys!

[wtnhunt]

Had issues with my parents dogs getting bit in the past, they usually swole up pretty bad but got over the bites without any treatment. Glad to hear she is doing better John.

[Dakota]

You're a lucky man, John...er...your dog's lucky... Glad to hear she's doing better!

Dakota