[Jacob-list] Snake bite

[Linda]

Our local copperheads don't seem to be terribly venomous.  Our Georgia timber rattlers are small compared to Florida diamondbacks, but the vet tells me the timber rattler venom destroys tissue - unlike the copperhead venom - and leaves a nasty wound, but still is not usually fatal.  Obviously venomous snakes are going to be more or less venomous in different parts of the country.  Benadryl sounds like a good first aid item to have around. 

Linda
 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


> Very informative post thank you for writing it.  I have Danes and
> sheep, this is very valuable information for me.
>
> Sheri  =o)
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Linda
>> To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
>> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 3:53 PM
>> Subject: [Jacob-list] Snake bite
>>
>>
>> In mid August my Great Dane, Maggie, was bitten on the nose by a
>> copperhead snake.  Of course, I was frantic and rushed her to the
>> vet as fast as I could considering the 10 miles of road
>> construction in our county.  I was surprised that the vet's
>> office took the snake bite rather lightly - no one rushing out
>> with a crash cart or anything.  The receptionist just looked at
>> Maggie and said "yep, snake bite" and dialed one of the vets.  
>> I'm a central Florida native where a 7 ft Diamondback Rattler is
>> not uncommon and a dog has little chance if bitten.  According to
>> the vet here, less than 5% of the dogs bitten by copperheads die.
>>   Within the last month, he had treated two small dogs - 10 and
>> 15 lbs that pulled through fine.  The treatment for Maggie at the
>> clinic was a antibiotic shot and a shot similar to benadryl.  Her
>> prescription drugs were an antibiotic, pain pills and otc
>> benadryl.  Within two days she was feeling fine, although the
>> swelling took about a week to go away completely.
>>
>> Well, last week, one of the ram lambs turned up with one side of
>> his face badly swollen.  One puncture wound was obvious.  This
>> was the one ram lamb that is not slated for breeding, thank
>> goodness.  I treated him with antibiotics and benadryl.  The next
>> day, the swelling had moved to under his jaw and you would have
>> sworn he had bottlejaw.  The vet told me that the swelling from a
>> copperhead bite gravitates. Within two days, there was no sign of
>> the swelling and he never did quit eating or show any sign of
>> discomfort.  
>>
>> Linda
>>
>>
>> www.patchworkfibers.com
>> Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn
>>
>>
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