Adder bites

[jimmy milnes]

Interested to hear from the vets on here,

OK so with the weather warming up the adders are about, now running GSP"s I sometimes am lucky enough to get to run grouse, but a question that's always been at the back of my mind is what if the dogs get bitten?
No I know its a race to the vets job keeping the dog as calm an still as would be possible "possibly mile or two back to the truck" but are there any things I could do to help the dog prior to arrival at the vets?
I've heard of an antihistamine tablet being used but would welcome any advice at all that could possibly help save the dog
Cheers Jimmy

 

[T.eddie]

Watching this with interest as I've heard the same and now in an area that has adders dotted about

 

[paul o']

• Vet advice
• Adder bite dog owner guide: What to do if your dog is bitten by an adder
• 
  
• Carry your dog to reduce the spread of the adder’s venom around your dog’s body.
• Bathe the wound in cold water to help control the swelling.
• Keep your dog warm, but not too warm, and quiet as you transport him to the vet.
• Don’t attempt any first aid as this can do more harm than good.

 

[jimmy milnes]

• Vet advice
• Adder bite dog owner guide: What to do if your dog is bitten by an adder
• 
  
• Carry your dog to reduce the spread of the adder’s venom around your dog’s body.
• Bathe the wound in cold water to help control the swelling.
• Keep your dog warm, but not too warm, and quiet as you transport him to the vet.
• Don’t attempt any first aid as this can do more harm than good.

Cheers Paul

 

[levigsp]

One thing I would like to say i have had three dogs bitten and myself once, we all survived, but other I know were not so lucky.

 

[esau]

Been lucky up until this year when one of the GWPs got bitten and was pretty wobbly within 10mins. Previously was quite relaxed about the bigger dogs as I'd heard many stories where a bite led to significant swelling but followed by recovery.

 

[bullet chucker]

I had my Cocker Spaniel bitten recently, additional advice I would contribute, phone the practice you will be attending prior' to your ETA'

BC.

 

[Selous]

I cannot speak of specific circumstances with specific dogs but In general terms would keep some Piriton 4mg tablets close at hand and give one to the dog ASAP after the bite. Then take the first aid precautions and transport to the vets for assessment. I can think of no disadvantages to giving an antihistamine ASAP after an adder bite and it would not expect it would interfere with subsequent treatment

 

[jimmy milnes]

I cannot speak of specific circumstances with specific dogs but In general terms would keep some Piriton 4mg tablets close at hand and give one to the dog ASAP after the bite. Then take the first aid precautions and transport to the vets for assessment. I can think of no disadvantages to giving an antihistamine ASAP after an adder bite and it would not expect it would interfere with subsequent treatment

Much appreciated Simon many thanks
Jimmy

 

[Hayduke]

We don't have Piriton about which I think is Chlorphenamine. Can we bung half a 10mg Loratidine or Cetirizine down the hatch in an emergency? (which we have lots of around)

 

[Scandially]

Lost this boy in 2h from an added bite.

 

[old keeper]

Adder bites seem to vary as to how they affect various animals. A few years ago I actually saw a bullock bitten on the lip by an adder as it grazed a hedge bottom. It started salivating almost immediately and was in a really distressed state for at least an hour when slowly it made a complete recovery.
If a bite can affect an animal the size of a bullock it's not surprising it can be serious for a dog.

 

[jimmy milnes]

Lost this boy in 2h from an added bite.View attachment 213845

Sorry to hear that matey

 

[Mountain Bug]

I am not vet, but I do live in rattlesnake country and am well versed on this topic. Most of our incidences are in relation to livestock and not dogs, however the cause and effect is the same. The number one cause of animal death from a snake bite is asphyxiation. The animal leans down to investigate the snake and is bitten on the face. The resulting swelling then closes off their airways. It seems possible, in theory, that you could tube their airway before this happens. In practice, you could imagine how difficult this might be.

When it comes to medication, the only thing that will reverse the effect of venom is the appropriate anti-venom. This is rarely an option because of the expense and its short shelf life. Because of these two factors most vets don't choose to keep it in stock. For example, rattlesnake anti-venom costs about $1000 per unit and usually, many units need to be administered (intravenously with proper dilution).

Antihistamines are often rumoured to be effective, but this is only a partial truth. Some, but very few, animals have an allergic reaction to the venom. If they have an allergy or the venom becomes systemic, they can go into anaphylactic shock. In this case an antihistamine could be effective, but Benadryl or other over-the-counter types just don't work fast enough to be of much use. The appropriate remedy in this case would be epinephrine. Only a qualified expert could recommend a proper dosage for the weight of your animal. My thought is that if you carried an epi-pen that was dosed for a child sharing the weight of your dog it may cross over. This however, is merely speculation on my part and not be be relied on.

Some bites are referred to as dry bites when no venom is introduced. It is best to examine the bite for blood and swelling before you get worried. A change in the animal's behavior can also be a clue (lethargy, drooling, increased heart rate, etc.). Keep the animal calm and limit it's movement as best you can while on your way to see a vet. Do not put any faith in "snakebite kits", do not cut the wound, do not use a tourniquet, and do not try sucking out the poison. These strategies are simply old wive's tales.

Hope this helps to clear things up until a professional chimes in.

Scott

 

[the_greenman]

A few years back now I was walking my lot in the middle of a military range area when my gwp got a bite from a young adder. I took a picture of the snake and began walking very slowly with the dog back towards the car, calling the vet at the same time. By the time we reached the perimeter fence she'd started limping (it had bitten her lower leg). As she was a lump of a dog there was now way i could carry her across country plus I think she'd have got hot and stressed from it.
Managed to get her to the vet who gave her antihistamines in injection. Then we waited. The leg swelled considerably but the next day it had gone down. Vet said something about administering the human antihistamine tablets such as piriton but told me to double the dose as a dog doesn't absorb it the same as a human. Dog made full recovery and I learnt lesson of not making her walk to heel in adder country as had she been charging about like my others she'd never have given it time to strike!

 

[jimmy milnes]

I am not vet, but I do live in rattlesnake country and am well versed on this topic. Most of our incidences are in relation to livestock and not dogs, however the cause and effect is the same. The number one cause of animal death from a snake bite is asphyxiation. The animal leans down to investigate the snake and is bitten on the face. The resulting swelling then closes off their airways. It seems possible, in theory, that you could tube their airway before this happens. In practice, you could imagine how difficult this might be.

When it comes to medication, the only thing that will reverse the effect of venom is the appropriate anti-venom. This is rarely an option because of the expense and its short shelf life. Because of these two factors most vets don't choose to keep it in stock. For example, rattlesnake anti-venom costs about $1000 per unit and usually, many units need to be administered (intravenously with proper dilution).

Antihistamines are often rumoured to be effective, but this is only a partial truth. Some, but very few, animals have an allergic reaction to the venom. If they have an allergy or the venom becomes systemic, they can go into anaphylactic shock. In this case an antihistamine could be effective, but Benadryl or other over-the-counter types just don't work fast enough to be of much use. The appropriate remedy in this case would be epinephrine. Only a qualified expert could recommend a proper dosage for the weight of your animal. My thought is that if you carried an epi-pen that was dosed for a child sharing the weight of your dog it may cross over. This however, is merely speculation on my part and not be be relied on.

Some bites are referred to as dry bites when no venom is introduced. It is best to examine the bite for blood and swelling before you get worried. A change in the animal's behavior can also be a clue (lethargy, drooling, increased heart rate, etc.). Keep the animal calm and limit it's movement as best you can while on your way to see a vet. Do not put any faith in "snakebite kits", do not cut the wound, do not use a tourniquet, and do not try sucking out the poison. These strategies are simply old wive's tales.

Hope this helps to clear things up until a professional chimes in.

Scott

All interesting stuff MB thanks for taking the time to write
Cheers Jimmy

 

[Foxyboy43]

Sorry to hear that matey

Awful thing to happen, sorry to read this. Thank god for St Patrick - he banished them never to return , allgedly!

 

[User00025]

There are snakes in Ireland and moles. Believe me I know.

 

[Selous]

We don't have Piriton about which I think is Chlorphenamine. Can we bung half a 10mg Loratidine or Cetirizine down the hatch in an emergency? (which we have lots of around)

I would expect that would probably be fine