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[Don Fischer]

Snake bite! Squirt got bit Sunday afternoon. For well over 20 yrs, close to 30, I have hunted, lived, trained and trialed in central and eastern Ore. I have never had a dog bit before nor do I know anyone that has except an old trialing friend many years ago. His dog got bit on a winter training trip in Arizona.

I was letting both boys run while I was working on our city water well. Bodie came in but Squirt didn't. Waited for him for awhile then took Bodie home and went back to look for Squirt. By then he was back at the well and looking beat and limping a bit. I looked him over and could find no blood so figured he'd sprained a leg. That evening I went to take them out to go and his leg was swelling. I thought it might have gotten broken or fractured. I got a hold of it and messed with it but nothing felt broken an he didn't fuss like it hurt. This morning his leg was swollen up to a bit over twice its normal size so I got him in the car and off to the vet. Actually he heard the car start and came out on his own and got in.

At the vet, they weren't sure if it was a spider or a snake right away but the gave him some anti inflammatories for the swelling and took his temp; 105! He hadn't eaten yesterday and I don't recall him drinking but they free feed and drink in the kitchen. They had to hook up an IV and pump fluid into him. Them they looked all over the leg and found the bite on his ankle. I left the office at 9am and hes still there on the IV, have to check back after three to see if he can come home tonight.

I mentioned spider bite. I did not know it but the vet told me we have a few spiders here that can do the same thing to a dog. I didn't ask what but guess it would be a Brown Recluse.

[WiskeyJaR]

Sure glad to hear Squirt is doing better, hopefully he'll be up and running soon.

[Romey]

Im sure he will come out of it, i have had 2 dogs snake bit and one horse, all came out well, is painful for them, i sure do feel sorry for squirt.

[jfrench]

How's Squirt doing today?

[Don Fischer]

He's doing better today. Not keeping food down real well but is eating a bit and drinking. Temp seems to be gone and his attutude is much better.

Here's a photo of the leg when he got home from the vet yesterday.



The area under his chest and just behind the leg feels like its full of a fluid.

[jfrench]

I'm glad things are well Don. Keep us posted. That is one good looking dog by the way! You must be very proud.

[wlfdg]

Don, Sorry to hear about your pup. Glad he is doing better. Have you tried feeding him just boiled chicken and some baited water? He might keep that down?

Chris

[Sage of the Sage]

He'll be alright. I grew up in West Texas. Practically every dog I ever had got snake bit at one point or another. They ususally would just lay around for a few days and then get better. Copperheads are the worst though because the flesh around the bite usually sort of rots, so infection might set in. If it was a rattler, Squirt will bounce back. Sorry to hear about it though, good luck.

[Don Fischer]

Squirt is mending great. The swelling is gone and hes eating again. Pain in the butt to give meds to tho! Attitude much much better!

[atomikall]

Good too hear Don, are you hunting yet?

[Full Draw]

Hope he is great. Snakes are really bad in AZ this yr. I wish it would get cooler so they would go in. I have a pointer that I am looking to get out more but I fear the same result. Even with snake training, on a dry day they can run over one before they even know where it is.

[Don Fischer]

I think your right . I doubt that Squirt ever knew it was there till he got bit. I heard that there is a shot you can give your dog before turning it loose. Kinda like a flu shot. Don't know where it is tho.

[Widux]

I just leased a place in MT for next fall (09)and it has lots of snakes--i am wondering also about shots before hand and am looking into a snake Avoidance trainer.

[Don Fischer]

a guy on Pointing Dog Journal Just lost one of his dogs to snake bite in texas. His dog took a hit high in the chest from about a 6' snake, punctured a lung. He started a thread on preparing for snake bite in advance. He talked with his vet and got some kind of steroid shots and IV's to take with him. The vet taught him how to do it all. also he now calls well ahead to find 24hr emergency vet's. He had a terrible time finding a vet to take care of his dog. He suggest's carrying a list of vets and their ph #'s with you hunting.

His story was an real trajady and the dog didn't seem to know it even got hit. His son shot the snake just before it hit a second dog they had down. I would also check ahed in Mont and see if the snakes are still out.

Over on ifish a guy did a good post about recognizing snake country and dealing with them, he catches them to mount for hobby! One thing I never thought of is that durning the early fall, snakes are likely to be more active durning the day than at night. In the summer it is to hot during the day and they seek out shade. In the fall it's getting cold but warm days so they are out soaking up the warmth. He posted several photo's of the snakes and denning areas. You might want to go read it.

[Widux]

Thanks Don--I lived in AK(no snakes) for 25 yrs and so have little use or knowledge of them-- did run into one in AZ hunting lions but mules were trained and got outta there qucik when they heard rattle.