My black lab was bit in the face about a hour ago by an eastern diamondback
rattlesnake. She was protecting my 3 year-old son who was in the backyard
with her at the time. The bite has already swollen to about the size of a
tennis ball. The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog. Other
than a shot of steroid, is there anything else one can do to help her?
She's a sweet dog - loves people, children, even cats. It would be a pity
to lose her.

--
Greg in Alabama

On Sun, 1 May 2005 17:06:51 -0500, "Greg" wrote:

The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog

have you called other vets? an emergency vet?


--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

My black lab was bit in the face about a hour ago by an eastern
diamondback rattlesnake. She was protecting my 3 year-old son who was in
the backyard with her at the time. The bite has already swollen to about
the size of a tennis ball. The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital
has anti-venom but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's
for a dog. Other than a shot of steroid, is there anything else one can
do to help her? She's a sweet dog - loves people, children, even cats. It
would be a pity to lose her.

What a great dog!

I can understand the hospital's point - the stuff is not cheap and certainly
hard to come by.

Call your closest veterinary school ASAP, or have your vet call.

-Sharon

The vet gave her a steroid shot and a shot of antibiotic. We shall see.
I'm going to see about getting her the new snake bite vaccine they have out
now. I read it was only $30.00 a dose.
--
Greg

"Janet B" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 1 May 2005 17:06:51 -0500, "Greg" wrote:

The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog

have you called other vets? an emergency vet?


--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

So sad, I only wish there was something we could do for you and your gal. I
know it is a stressful time for you and your family. I hope you keep us
posted. Joyce


"Greg" wrote in message
...
My black lab was bit in the face about a hour ago by an eastern
diamondback rattlesnake. She was protecting my 3 year-old son who was in
the backyard with her at the time. The bite has already swollen to about
the size of a tennis ball. The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital
has anti-venom but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's
for a dog. Other than a shot of steroid, is there anything else one can
do to help her? She's a sweet dog - loves people, children, even cats. It
would be a pity to lose her.

--
Greg in Alabama

"Greg" wrote in message
...
My black lab was bit in the face about a hour ago by an eastern
diamondback
rattlesnake. She was protecting my 3 year-old son who was in the backyard
with her at the time. The bite has already swollen to about the size of a
tennis ball. The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog.
Other
than a shot of steroid, is there anything else one can do to help her?
She's a sweet dog - loves people, children, even cats. It would be a pity
to lose her.
.............no suggestions for you except for having some homepathics on
hand for immediate use in case there is a next time - Ledum for the bite and
there's homeopathics specifically for diamondback rattlers. and
cottonmouths. Even if you don't normally use them, it can't hurt, might
help.

......she might end up with some facial paralysis, but it's lucky she's a big
dog. What a good dog taking care of your baby.........keep us posted
please -- all paws crossed here.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

Greg,

I'd call every hospital around and even ask if they would give you any
expired anti-venom. I saw on emergency vet where a local hospital gave them
expired antivenom and it helped a dog. It seem with a dog old medication is
better than nothing at all.

Good luck and I hope she pulls through.

Celeste


"Greg" wrote in message
...
My black lab was bit in the face about a hour ago by an eastern
diamondback
rattlesnake. She was protecting my 3 year-old son who was in the backyard
with her at the time. The bite has already swollen to about the size of a
tennis ball. The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog.
Other
than a shot of steroid, is there anything else one can do to help her?
She's a sweet dog - loves people, children, even cats. It would be a pity
to lose her.

--
Greg in Alabama

I have heard some scary statements about the vaccine. If bitten and
depending on where, the anti-venin is still be required. Also, the
vaccinations themselves have many side effects and if bitten, the SE of the
bite may be worse. Just like when a snake handler is bitten and receives
too many anti-venin treatments.

Alot of time, a peripheral snakebite, even with a rattlesnake, are not much
the worry about. And even if it is a direct trunk or body bite, it does not
get them the way it affects many humans. My sister's 35 pound heeler got a
bite right to the flank and the bite was not found until hours later. The
dog did require a skin graft and several days in the hospital, but she did
survive.




"Greg" wrote in message
t...
The vet gave her a steroid shot and a shot of antibiotic. We shall see.
I'm going to see about getting her the new snake bite vaccine they have
out now. I read it was only $30.00 a dose.
--
Greg

"Janet B" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 1 May 2005 17:06:51 -0500, "Greg" wrote:

The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog

have you called other vets? an emergency vet?


--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

I'd call every hospital around and even ask if they would give you any
expired anti-venom. I saw on emergency vet where a local hospital gave
them
expired antivenom and it helped a dog. It seem with a dog old medication
is
better than nothing at all.

That's a great idea. The show - is that the snake bite Doc in Arizona or NM?
That is some show! Fascinating to see how his patients responded to the
antivenom and how they have to be monitored so closely after it's given.

"Greg" wrote in message
...
My black lab was bit in the face about a hour ago by an eastern
diamondback
rattlesnake. She was protecting my 3 year-old son who was in the
backyard
with her at the time. The bite has already swollen to about the size
of a
tennis ball. The vet has no anti-venom. The local hospital has
anti-venom
but flatly told me they will not let me have any if it's for a dog.
Other
than a shot of steroid, is there anything else one can do to help her?
She's a sweet dog - loves people, children, even cats. It would be a
pity
to lose her.

Update requested.

--
Donna
-----------