Snakes and Heat

[tomtom]

How do you deal with hunting in the hot weather months when rattlesnakes and others are present? I want to take my pup to south texas but to me that would be like russian roulette in this weather... Does anybody not hunt when it's this hot around snake populated areas? I know here in Texas just about anytime of the year one could get bitten but in this heat it's got to be risky???

[Bearkiller]

I hunted year around in south texas for 4 years and never had a dog bitten. I myself had a couple close calls but nothing major.

[reed]

If you are worried about it you can have the pup vacinated I believe.

[JTG]

I hunt all of Texas and all of my dogs have been bit by copper heads. I just give them liquid Benadryl and they are better the next day.
For rattle snakes its a different story. None of my dogs have been bit but one did kill a dog that I gave to a friend. There is a rattlesnake vaccine and you can also brake them with a rattle snake and an e-collar like they do bird dogs. JTG

[Shorty]

I hunt S. Texas year round. I get dogs bitten every year and haven't lost one yet (knock on wood). Most of them get bit in the kennels or the pups seem to get it worse while exploring. We don't vaccinate them but they say it helps with the symptoms. We treat with 6cc Dexamethazone and 2cc Penacillen G. Repeat for three days but usually the 2nd day they're fine.

For the heat just keep them on the thin side and keep them around water. Most of us down here have some form of water in the box at all times. If they're heating up load'em and let them drink, then resume hunting. The hunt is typically over by 8:00am this time of year. Hope that helps.

[raxntrax]

Hey Shorty,
Does that doseage apply to all size dogs or is there a doseage to weight ratio? We have a bumper crop of rattle snakes this year and have had some real close calls. Thanks in advance for any info.
Eric.

[Unreal_tk]

How would one go about breaking dogs off rattlers? And thanks for the tip Shorty on how to treat this. I've been concerned on this subject alot lately.

[South Texan]

How would one go about breaking dogs off rattlers?

If I have a pup in my kennel that hasn't seen a rattle snake yet, first snake I kill I will bring to the house (cut head of snake off first) and lay it out in the driveway. Then I will go to the kennel and put a shock collar on the pup and turn him out. Then I will hide peeping around the barn. As the pup is running around playing, eventually he is going to see or smell the snake and go investigate. About the time he sticks his nose to the snake to check him out, I let him one good zap with the e-collar usually on number 6. I'm hiding because I don't want the pup to think I have anything to do with it. I want him to think the snake done that to him. I sure think this helps but I can't guarantee anything. Hope this might help.
Robbie

[Shorty]

We treat with 6cc Dexamethazone and 2cc Penacillen G. Repeat for three days but usually the 2nd day they're fine. Hope that helps.

This dosage is for a medium size dog, Adjust accordingly. I will often times give a young puppy (under 6 months) 1cc Pen and 2cc Dex. I'll also give a big dog 70-80lbs 3cc Pen and 8cc Dex. Neither drugs are real dangerous to the dogs so don't sweat it too much. The Dex is a steroidal anti-inflammatory and obviously pen is antibiotic. I typically give these under the skin unless it's a severe bite, then I give in the muscle. If it's very sever try giving the Dex. IV.

I know South Texan explained somewhere earlier that it all depends on where the bite is and how much venom. That's exactly right, some bites your just not going to save them.

[come-hunt]

We snake break all our birddogs with a live de-fanged rattler. We do just like south texan does except with a live snake. They see, smell and hear the snake and when they go up to the snake, we stick them with a number six e-collar and one dose of this usually works. Some dogs are smarter than others and avoid the snake from the start. Then when your hunting and your dog comes back with his tail tucked ,he has smelled, heard or seen a snake. Works just like trash breaking. I don't know why it would'nt work with a porky pine?????
We also use the snake vaccine and it will work. Dogs bit on the head will usually live using Shorty's treatment, they'll look like the dickens with a head the size of a basketball (for about 72 hours) but they will make it.
I've personally only lost one dog and she was bit right in the heart area and she lived 24 hours. A word to the wise ( it never happens to the sorry ones ) so use the vaccine it isn't that expensive about $25.00/dog. Why lose a top dog?

[raxntrax]

Thanks Shorty. I have a bottle of Dex. and will pick up a bottle of pen. when I go to town.

[Cowboyvon]

I don't if anyone has mentioned it but Dex doesn't have to be refrigerated so you can carry it in your saddle bags or what ever... 3cc in the muscle and 3cc under the skin and when you get back home you can give them the penn..