Adders.

[Roedinator]

I assume you mean after you have napalmed the whole area ? (not a fan of snakes!)

One time I very much agree with you tack me too

Regards pete

 

[NigelM]

1. Keep dog calm
2. Get to vet who will hopefully have antivenom
do not use tourniquet unless you like 3 legged dogs!!

Does Piriton do any good in your opinion Simon?

 

[Buchan]

Does Piriton do any good in your opinion Simon?

It might, as histamines are released as a result of the bite so might help with the swelling. The venom is one of the necrotic type - acting very much at the bite site rather than having a wider effect. Tourniquet is a bad plan - you've already got damage, and low oxygen in the area, so tourniquet would lower it more. The bites are rarely long term problem, although I have seen a kidney failure shortly after a bite. As suggested, keep calm and off to the vet.

 

[Selous]

View attachment 68320
Not sure if I would be happy with I can order it in for next day delivery !!
i think that's probably as good as not available if it's not in stock then is it any use 24 hours after the bite the dogs either doing ok or dead
ILB

Not really what I was meaning, the inference from a previous post was that it was unavailable to vets which is not the case. Cant see that antihistamines will do any harm at all. I haven't had much experience of adder bites personally, presumably few around the areas I have worked

 

[Willie]

My cocker spaniel was bitten by an adder while I was out fishing. Dog squealed and I saw the snake slithering off into the undergrowth. Decided to take the dog to the vets and started to walk round the reservoir back to the car. Part way round the dogs face had swollen quite badly so I picked him up and carried him back to the car. Luckily a fellow fisherman suggested that rather than drive 30 mins to the vet I visit the game keepers cottage and ask if he had any Piriton. He did and the dog recovered quite quickly.
It seems the keeper kept a supply of Piriton for emergencies in case his dogs are bitten by adders out on the moor.

 

[Stag-Do]

Nytol. No I'm being serious, it's an antihistamine and you can use it for snake bites. 1mg/kg I think.

 

[BeardyWierdy]

I'm not a vet, but asked the question of my local vet some years ago. He told me to carry some Piriton with me. Give the dog one immediately after the bite and get it to a vet.

My last dog got bitten on the neck - didn't actually notice until the following day when it swelled up and went manky.
Thought it was a hornet or snake bite. Gave it piriton, took it to the vet (he thought adder bite). Skin continued to slough off but kept giving it piriton (he was a lab and gave it half a tab every 12 hours). He got through it fine but died of cancer 6 months later as he was an old boy.

I carry piriton now, but further research seemed to indicate that some dogs react worst than others, and it depends on the size and fitness of the dog.

Personally I don't let mine leave my side unless they're definitely tracking deer - they don't stray from the trail and in theory a deer passing through should have sent the snake slithering off somewhere.

Probably just down to luck though!

 

[Woodsmoke]

One thing to perhaps bear in mind, especially at this time of year, is that young adders can't control their venom delivery so a bite from a youngster will result in a full dose. This is only second-hand information though, as I've personally never even seen an adder in the wild