hound down from rattler....

[southwestwalkers]

Just letting the gang know what is going on. Yesterday afternoon about 5pm I got home from running errands. As I walked into the house my boy came limping in from the outside. At fist I thought somehow he stepped on a thorn or sprained his foot or did it wrestling with the 95 pd doberman.

After checking I could not find anything wrong with is foot. At the moment I did not figure it to be a snake bite. I figured it to still be a bad sprain. After a few hours it began to swell by 7pm it had become pretty swollen.

I applied ice to the best of my ability and gave him some benidryl. I also hoped to locate a vet to bring him in to. The best I could do was set a appointment for 8am this morning. When I woke-up this morning 5am I checked his paw and it now had swelled grossly almost to the size of a small soft ball. He would not eat and hardly would move but just look at me. I had to pick him up and carry him outside so he could take care of his morning business and finally carried him to the truck to put him inside for his appointment.

At 8am this morning I was there as they opened there doors and carried him in. At first look the doctor said snake bite because of the great swelling and the not eating and hardly moving. We then decided to do a xray to make sure. Xrays came back negative. The next step was to lance the swollen area but first knock him out with what I believe was a combo of DOMITOR INJ, ROBINUL-V, ANTESEDAN.

After knocking him out and shaving the area we found the smoking gun two small holes about a half of a inch apart that was under his coat, Since this bite took place over 16 to 18 hours earlier it was to late for snake anti venom because the venom had circulated through his body already. He had his foot lanced in two areas which helped to drain the puss and blood mixture.

He was also given in his office visit PEN G INJ, DEXAMETHASONE INJ, TORBUTROL.

For his at home care he has been given KEFLEX and TRAMADOL

He has been home now since 10:30 am. He has slept or been knocked out most of the day. He still has not eaten for 24 hours now. When he first woke up he would go in and out of being knocked and his whole body would shake like he was very cold. I wrapped him in a blanket until it would stop only to start once again this has gone on for the last few hours.

What I hate most is I have to now keep the to incisions open and even on the pain pills he is in great pain. His foot needs to drain for the next few days. He just lays there lifeless I'm hoping from the drugs and not from the a rattlers venom. Hopefully we are passed that critical stage and this cant take hold of his body. The doctor wont give me a straight for sure answer. His paw is still huge but is draining but he looks bad. We know it was a rattler cause it was a poisonous snake and from the looks of things it was no baby.

So much for lion and bear season. I can actually care less at this point. I just want him to pull through this. He is a great dog that has shown a huge up side. If all goes well hes on the shelf for 3 weeks. Any suggestions from you folks would be appreciated. All I can do is sit and wait at this point. You folks have seen this before Im just hoping he is passed the stage we can loss him. These snakes are not just in the southwest.

Robb

[Big John]

Hey Robb sorry to here about your dog. But do not give up on him. We have had several dogs bit both our cow dogs and our hounds. I have not taken any to the vet. They usally just find a cool place, and lay up for a few days and about 2 weeks they are back working and hunting. The frist dog we had bit was back when I was kid and my Dad was not about to drive 3 hrs to the vet. I fiqured he would die my Dad said he would not die that he would hold up in the barn until he got well. And he did. We have never lost a cowdog or hound to a rattler yet. But ether they will not get near one again or they become snake hunters (these are usally or cow dogs). So hang in there. John

[southwestwalkers]

Thanks, John

He is doing a little better today. Its just his paw is still really swollen and he whines. Did your dogs swell up? It has been lanced in to different areas on the paw. Im wondering with the antibiotics if it will take care of that swelling. Doc wants me to keep those cuts open so they can drain but good luck for a 65 pound hound he a strong wiry cus when I tried to open them.

[Big John]

One of my dogs was bite just above the eye his head swelled up like a bowling ball. Fiqured he would be blind in that eye, but was ok when swelling went down.
John

[southwestwalkers]

this swelling is a bit*h...this vet should have gave me antiinflammatories. I HAVE TO GO HOLD HIM DOWN AND REOPEN WHERE THEY MADE THE CUTS SO HIS SWELLING 'PUS BLOOD' DRAINS

I dont mind doing it but it really hurts him. You think this swelling will pass on its own...

[Redwood Coonhounds]

Hope he gets better for ya pretty quick... Hows he been doin lately? Our littermates are sure big, I can imagine your guy must be big too! Ours will be hitting the bear woods next weekend... Seems like yesterday we went and picked em up! Time flys!

[southwestwalkers]

thanks friends...

Just got back from the vet again. This afternoon my boy began to get these tremors again. He has been getting them since yesterday morning when he lays down to relax. His head just trembles like he is freezing on a 90 degree day. The vet said its the venom still in his body. I think its the meds but....

We also drained the paw because it filled up with pus, blood again. It took me 210 pounds two women at the vet's office I would say 120 pounds each to hold him down with a muzzle on. Vet figured it was better not to sadate him. We had to open the cuts we made yesterday to let the paw drain. The cuts are right through the webbing to the other side but it badly swollen. These hounds are one strong dog all I can say.

[Emily]

this one sounds pretty infected. The vet should culture the infection and make sure the dog's getting the right antibiotics for the specific infection. He can also insert a drainage tube so you don't have to reopen the wound repeatedly.

These hounds are surprisingly tough. The tremors are probably a fever (fevers sometimes feel like chills)from the infection.

Do your best to keep the dog drinking water, and continue to treat the infection. Try to keep the open wound clean, and keep giving the dog his meds. Its really hard to watch a dog suffer like that. They either pull through or they don't. Sounds like your has a lot of heart. We'll say a little prayer for both of you.

[southwestwalkers]

Thanks, Emily

I wish there was a fever but there isnt one. Its gotta be the the DOMITOR

I have now found out it is the the DOMITOR. If this does not pass the makers of this crap DOMITOR will have a huge law suit.

DO NOT, DO NOT LET YOUR HOUNDS BE PUT ON THAT STUFF. He keeps having bad side effects. I hope it has not done long term damage

http://www.pfizerah.com/PAHimages/compl ... liance.pdf

[nmplott]

The chills might be from the neurotoxin in the venom. Lets hope that it is not that because the effects will be life long. Lets hope that the chills are from the immune system on overdrive trying to rid the body from all the stress it has and will continue to undergo. Ask the vet how much longer the paws will have to continue to drain because frequently opening a wound will give bacteria and fungus an oppurtunity to take up residence in the leg. If it requires frequent opening demand a drainage tube that way their will only be one area of oppurtunity. Also does your dog have diarhea? that will be from the antibiotics removing the benefecial microbiota in his digestive system.

[southwestwalkers]

nmplott,

Its the DOMITOR forsure causing the shakes. That has stopped.

This vet is a crack pot. He should have put in the drainage tube to begin with. Its the swelling that is the problem here. He was bit Wednesday afternoon. This swelling has got to go down. THIS POISON HAS GOT TO PASS

[nmplott]

what vet did you take him to? I would like to know so I can avoid this vet. I like the ark in socorro, they really took care of some cur pups we had a couple years ago when they got parvo.

[Grzyadms4x4]

Hey Robb, how's your dog doing?

[southwestwalkers]

Zach,

He is running and playing....... the shakes have stopped but the foot is still slightly swollen and infection is still there. On Wed it will be a week....Im watching him. He is getting his Keflex 500 mg three times a day plus pain pills twice a day. I may have to take it to be drained one more time but Ill see what happens in the the next 72 hours....

[southwestwalkers]

nmplott,

He was taking to a vet in Sierra Vista, AZ so don't worry....