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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
  
Location: Georgia | I have a 2 year old Mini Aussie, roughly 23lbs, that got bit Saturday afternoon by a copperhead. He was bite twice behind his front left leg, one directly behind and the other in the middle of his rib cage. He had immediate soft tissue swelling and once I noticed the bite I started him on 1/4th of an 800/160 SMZ. Yesterday the swelling progressed into his lower abdomen and scrotum region and now both front legs/feet are completely swollen. From what I can tell, it also looks like he's had a puss pocket rupture behind his front left leg. He's too tender for me to pick the leg up to further evaluate. I have a call in to my vet to see what we should do from here, but some immediate advise would be very helpful. Aside from being swollen, sore, and fatigued from lack of sleep, he seems to be in ok spirits... He's also eating and drinking.
Edited by Klittle3 2014-04-18 7:56 PM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I would get him to a Vet as soon as possible. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | They say the swelling will get a lot worse before it gets better.
We had a dog get bit last year by a baby rattler right where the lips meet on her mouth. I rushed her to the vet (first time experience for me). The vet wasn't to concerned but told me to give her some Dex and pain meds. I will not even guess on the doseage of Dex as I can not remember.
She said that getting bit in the face and legs you are pretty safe for a recovery but if it is anywhere near the belly you may be in trouble. I wouldn't be waiting around for a return call I would be taking my dog to the vet. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | I contacted the emergency vet line on Saturday after it happened and they too didn't seem too concerned. They said there's nothing you can do for a copperhead bite, other than watch for secondary infection, which is why I started the SMZs. I have some dex handy as well, but wouldn't know where to begin on dosage. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | Bump...
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | me personally would have taken him to vet anyway soon as i noticed..! regardless of what they said. |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20904
Location: LouLouVille, OK | Klittle3 - 2014-04-14 5:22 PM I contacted the emergency vet line on Saturday after it happened and they too didn't seem too concerned. They said there's nothing you can do for a copperhead bite, other than watch for secondary infection, which is why I started the SMZs. I have some dex handy as well, but wouldn't know where to begin on dosage.
Did they not mention any about allergy med's?
Dex, I don't know if I would go there with such a small dog, ask your vet about pred... that would be easier to give
So sorry about the bite... prayers for his recovery |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I lost one of my Heelers to a snake bite, and was told not to worry about it, took her in any way and still lost her. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | cindyt - 2014-04-14 8:25 PM
Klittle3 - 2014-04-14 5:22 PM I contacted the emergency vet line on Saturday after it happened and they too didn't seem too concerned. They said there's nothing you can do for a copperhead bite, other than watch for secondary infection, which is why I started the SMZs. I have some dex handy as well, but wouldn't know where to begin on dosage.
Did they not mention any about allergy med's?
Dex, I don't know if I would go there with such a small dog, ask your vet about pred... that would be easier to give
So sorry about the bite... prayers for his recovery
Thank you... Talked to the vet and they advised me not to use dex due to his size. They did say to continue the SMZs. No mention of allergy medication. Would liquid prednisone help? The problem now is getting him in the vehicle. He's very timid, scared, and rather nippy(very unlike him) but he's super sore and doesn't want to be bothered. The vet still said there's not much to be done other than IV fluids and I can do that here. If I can get him in the vehicle I will head to the vet. Just say a few prayers for him. My Chipper is not very chipper.
Edited by Klittle3 2014-04-14 7:50 PM
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 The Bird Lady
Posts: 6440
Location: The end of the Earth, SE AR | What about metacam instead of dex?
I think I'd take him in to my regular vet so they can properly dose him with an antibiotic appropriate for his size, and maybe pull some blood and take a look at white count levels ect. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | rollingrfarm - 2014-04-15 11:27 AM
What about metacam instead of dex?
I think I'd take him in to my regular vet so they can properly dose him with an antibiotic appropriate for his size, and maybe pull some blood and take a look at white count levels ect.
We got him to lay down last night. He had been standing since Saturday due to the swelling in his ribs, but he laid down last night and was still resting this morning. The swelling his went down tremendously since he's been off his feet. I'm hoping he is turning a corner. If not I have an appt this afternoon for him to see his regular vet. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | How is the doggy :( I hope he makes it!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | My cousins got bit by a timber rattler and we treated her with dex and DMSO. They had anti-venom but I was right at $500 a vile and said she would probably need 3 viles. We wasn't sure if she would make it but after a couple days she started to get better. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal |  don't know what to do but sending prayers |
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 Roan Wonder
Location: SW MO | Our dog got bit by a copperhead on the nose & the vet had use give her Benadryl |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7550
Location: In The Land of Cotton | crossspur - 2014-04-15 1:18 PM Our dog got bit by a copperhead on the nose & the vet had use give her Benadryl
We also used it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | DLV - 2014-04-15 12:12 PM
How is the doggy :( I hope he makes it!!!
He seems to be doing better. He's able to rest a little more since being able to lay down. Our neighbor has been keeping a close eye on him today, so that gives me some piece of mind. I just spoke with another vet and he said to start oral antihistamines this afternoon, so I'm going to pick up a bottle of liquid Benadryl on my way home. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | 3canstorun - 2014-04-15 2:39 PM
crossspur - 2014-04-15 1:18 PM Our dog got bit by a copperhead on the nose & the vet had use give her Benadryl
We also used it.
Do either of you happen to remember the dosage amount of Benadryl? He's about 23lbs. |
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Hugs to You
Posts: 7550
Location: In The Land of Cotton | Klittle3 - 2014-04-15 3:00 PM 3canstorun - 2014-04-15 2:39 PM crossspur - 2014-04-15 1:18 PM Our dog got bit by a copperhead on the nose & the vet had use give her Benadryl We also used it. Do either of you happen to remember the dosage amount of Benadryl? He's about 23lbs.
I probably dosed mine like a child. I do use the children's type. |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20904
Location: LouLouVille, OK | Klittle3 - 2014-04-15 2:00 PM 3canstorun - 2014-04-15 2:39 PM crossspur - 2014-04-15 1:18 PM Our dog got bit by a copperhead on the nose & the vet had use give her Benadryl We also used it. Do either of you happen to remember the dosage amount of Benadryl? He's about 23lbs.
I have a 70 lb dog and she gets 1 reg benedryl every 6 hrs or so when I have to give her that...
I would think like a childrens benedryl would be better for a smaller dog... and just go by the directions as far as children 5 and younger or something... cause they ususally don't weight that much...
Prayers for Mr Chipper... hope your on the uphill...
(this is what my suggestion would have been and now knowing your vet didn't suggest anything like this, I would get a new vet, I can't believe they didn't suggest that... and pred...My girl got 20mgs (I think that is the size, I would have to look when I get home, twice a day for about 3 days, and then 20 once a day for about 3 days and then 10 for 3 days...so yours would be half that...) |
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| I agree I would be looking for a new vet. I can believe they didn't suggest Benadryl. Somese that might help is a BOT pad or if you have one for your horse, let him lay on it. It should help with the swelling and pain. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | I'm headed home to take him to the vet. So we will see what he says. Thanks again everyone for the advice! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Poor fella hope that hes going to be ok, With him being so small I would be really worried about this, My Heeler was weight about 35 lbs and the snake bite really took a toll on her. |
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Expert
Posts: 1255
| Poor thing.All of my dogs have been bit by rattle and i gave them an antihistamine and the all came out of it o.k but it was extremely hard on my small dog he got bit on eye lid. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | I got him to the vet and he was sure glad that I started him on SMZs when I did. He said if I hadn't, then I would have a dead dog. Due to him being bit multiple times, it took a toll on him. The vet said a lot of the tissue in his chest was necrotic and would more than likely peel off for a while but he was very optimistic and plans to keep him for a very days to clean him up and try hydrotherapy to hopefully promote circulation to the necrotic areas. Thank you all again for the well wishes, support, and prayers. Keep them up, we truly appreciate them! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Klittle3 - 2014-04-15 5:35 PM I got him to the vet and he was sure glad that I started him on SMZs when I did. He said if I hadn't, then I would have a dead dog. Due to him being bit multiple times, it took a toll on him. The vet said a lot of the tissue in his chest was necrotic and would more than likely peel off for a while but he was very optimistic and plans to keep him for a very days to clean him up and try hydrotherapy to hopefully promote circulation to the necrotic areas. Thank you all again for the well wishes, support, and prayers. Keep them up, we truly appreciate them!
Got prayers for the little guy |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Just wondering how your Guy is doing tonight? |
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Member
Posts: 16
| I was always told to not use the liquid kind, and to use the tablet. Might want to double check, if you haven't already gave it to your dog. If so, maybe check before you give next dose. I hope your dog is doing better!!! |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20904
Location: LouLouVille, OK | Southtxponygirl - 2014-04-15 10:26 PM Just wondering how your Guy is doing tonight?
Me too this am |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | He's doing much better. They plan to keep him at the vet til Friday just to make sure he continues to respond well to treatment. They are also continuing with the hydrotherapy. He has quite a bit of tissue necrosis in his left leg and chest so that is a concern of theirs right now, but otherwise the vet thinks he will make a full recovery. Thanks everyone for your concerns and prayers! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
Location: Georgia | Chipper is home and doing very well. Eating, drinking, and moving around well. They had to debrid some of his chest tissue and tissue on his left leg due to the necrosis, but he's doing relatively well considering the vet said he is lucky to be alive. I'm so glad to have him back home.
Well, I tried adding a picture but my iPhone won't resize it...
Edited by Klittle3 2014-04-18 8:10 PM
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Update... Need Help... Snake bite-Dog