Hello,
I just wanted to make sure that we have done as much as possible
within reason in the care of our 4 years old Aussie. He was
apparantly bitten by a snake (probably rattler, we are in SO Cal). We
took him to the vet and they did both the ani-venom treatment and the
antiboitics shots. He had a very swollen face and mouth ecpecially
where the pair of bite marks were. When we left him he was very
lathargyc and not himself. Today, the swelling has gone down some but
his gumms are oosing blood. He will be staying the night again with
the vet. He did a few platelet tests and found them to be down around
29000? (I am told that they should be around 75000?). Anyways, they
will be giving him a shot every 4 hours to help with internal bleeding
if that is the cause of the oosing. He was more energetic today and
actually ate some food. Does this sound typical to anyone? Is there
any more that could really be done? I have already spent over $1000,
not that it is the biggest issue but I am by no means a rich person
especially with a new baby on the way. Any thoughts are
appreciated!!!
Thanks!
Chris

With the bite being on the face, I don't doubt the choice for the
anti-venin.

Have known a few dogs that were bitten. My sister's dog being the worst, as
she was bitten mid-section - got skin grafts and everything. For the
extremity bites, the vet may not choose to use anti-venin - it is usually
more of a localized treatment. But remember, if the dog was given antivenin
for rattlesnake, it is rattlesnake specific. If your dog was bitten by a
another type, the antivenin was a precaution. Steroids wouldn't be a bad
idea.

I guess the dog is getting vitamin K for the low platelet count - or
something similar.

You may want to stock up on some benedryl. After the pup goes home, you may
need to keep him calm until he recovers.


"Chris Woodruff" wrote in message
om...
Hello,
I just wanted to make sure that we have done as much as possible
within reason in the care of our 4 years old Aussie. He was
apparantly bitten by a snake (probably rattler, we are in SO Cal). We
took him to the vet and they did both the ani-venom treatment and the
antiboitics shots. He had a very swollen face and mouth ecpecially
where the pair of bite marks were. When we left him he was very
lathargyc and not himself. Today, the swelling has gone down some but
his gumms are oosing blood. He will be staying the night again with
the vet. He did a few platelet tests and found them to be down around
29000? (I am told that they should be around 75000?). Anyways, they
will be giving him a shot every 4 hours to help with internal bleeding
if that is the cause of the oosing. He was more energetic today and
actually ate some food. Does this sound typical to anyone? Is there
any more that could really be done? I have already spent over $1000,
not that it is the biggest issue but I am by no means a rich person
especially with a new baby on the way. Any thoughts are
appreciated!!!
Thanks!
Chris