My 10 yr old springer spaniel has a large,hot lump with two fang marks on her paw. She's limping but otherwise seems to be OK, other than right at the area bit she doesn't have any swelling or soreness, in fact she doesn't act like the bite hurts when I touch it. We have copperheads & rattle snakes, but my guess is it's a black snake bite. I did a search and if it had been a poisonous one there'd be other syptoms by now-it happened sometime today;probably mid afternoon. My question is, other than washing it and applying antibiotic ointment is there anything else I should do? I've got an appointment with the vet for Friday am since they're closed for the 4th and the answering service wasn't much help beyond making an appointment.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), July 03, 2002

Answers

I beleive there would be pain for the dog from the start if its venomous, if not, just do what your doing, and cancell the apiontment, they cant do anythign your not already doing

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), July 03, 2002.

Benedryl, or even asprin. Definately.

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), July 03, 2002.

About all the vet might do that you haven't is give an antibiotic to prevent an abcess formation at the site of the bite, since it is a deep puncture wound and as such can be prone to abcess formation. The antivenom is only effective for up to 24 hours post-bite and you will be past that time peroid by the time of your appointment.

So, I'd suggest that just keep an eye on the paw and look for possible infection.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), July 04, 2002.

I had a cat that got bit by a copperhead 4 years ago.The area where it got bit had the skin die ( a patch larger than a quarter ),turned black and abcessed.The cat was sick for about 4 days and wouldn't let anyone near him .He healed Ok .

-- SM Steve (Unreal@msn.com), July 04, 2002.

I'm using a topical prescription antibiotic ointment from the vet that I keep on hand for accidents and today she's stil limping but will put weight on the leg. Still no swelling up the leg and she's showing no other signs of illness. I think if she continues to improve throughout today I'm cancelling the appointment. Sorry for the panic; this was our first incidence of snake bite since moving here 3 yrs ago. Luckily, it wasn't a poisonous one. Thanks,KA

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), July 04, 2002.

glad the dogs doing well,,, if its not showing sign within an hour or so,, bet it want venomous. Most dogs srurvive snake bites, snakes dont want to give the "full dose" in one shot,, leaves them with nothign for a couple days. I read that alot of snake bites only leave one fang mark, seems they miss alot and only get partial hits

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), July 04, 2002.

My dog got bit by a copperhead on the nose.Her face is swollen, but she act like it doesn't seem to be hurting.We gave her some meds and water.What im asking is if if we don't take her to the vet will she die.

-- Nikki Louise Anderson (nanderson2002@yahoo.com), May 31, 2004.

my dog just got bit a few days ago,and she is going thru hell right now. her head is swollen and she can't open her eye's.i dont got the money to take her to a vet.i been useing benedryl and something for the pain.and getting her lots of water and what ever she can hold down.the time has passed for you.maybe you can give me some insite on what to exspect from her.i dont know at this point if the best thing is to put her to sleep or not.email me a mess.desciple2112@yahoo.com thank you 6/6/04

-- wesley sandifer (desciple2112@yahoo.com), June 07, 2004.

Dog, whatever..

Kill the damn snake while the dog is still alive. Any snake !!

Jack

-- Jack Williams (OleFarmerJack@aol.com), July 05, 2004.

i dont want my dog any more want should i do ? i just can not leave him in the streets.

-- mike (nevatha6th@aol.com), July 12, 2004.

This morning when i went outside to feed my dog, her face was swollen to the size of a basketball and her eyes were real red and you could see more of the white of her eyes because she has to look up to see you because of the swelling. do you think this is a snake bite?? She is at the vet right now but they said they did not see any bites.

-- Jennifer Conlee (jennconlee03@yahoo.com), January 06, 2005.