Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just returned from work this evening to find my boxer in this condition. I am nearly certain he got bit by either a rattlesnake or a coral, as I have found both around my house. Anybody have any snakebit dog experience? I hope he is still around in the morning when I take him to a vet. I'm NOT a happy camper right now...

Looks like snakebite to me. More likely a crotalid than a coral. Where do you live? Knowing that would help determine what type of snake may have been responsible. If it was a pygmy rattlesnake, chances are your dog will be okay after a vet's attention.

~~Greg~~

I had a freind who's dog was tagged in the face by a copperhead and pulled through fine with no AV. I suspect that your dog will be ok if he wasnt in dire straits at the time of that photo.

Make sure to get him to vet asap so they can begin antibotic therapy at the very least to help with the swelling and potential infection.

Aslo have his vitals monitored. The dog I knew of experinced some systematic effects as well as swelling.

If worst comes to worse get him AV.

As was asked, were do you live? That almost definately was not a coral snake bite. Either a rattlesnake species (lumping pygmies into the classification) or copperhead/cottonmouth is responsible for this.

There is also the off chance it could be some sorta of spider bite but the swelling is definately common with snake bites as well.

I wish you guys the best of luck.

God bless.

I'm just west of San Antonio, TX. The reason I mentioned corals is because I have found 2 in my back yard before. But I have found both atrox and cottonmouth in this same area. Most likely atrox is what I'm guessing. Well Toby is still alive this morning and in fact is "acting" pretty much normal although the swelling is the same. Tough little guy!

Lance

Im am over joyed to hear your dog is still doing well. The systematic effects I.E laborded breathing, dark colored urin, weakness and lack of cordination etc are your most life threatening symptoms but if swelling is the only complication thus far that is a very good sign.

Dogs and cats seem to have a very hi tolerence for snake venoms or atleast higher then you would think so I belive Toby will be ok.

I highly recomend taking him to a vet if for no other reason to get some antibiotics in him and avoide any infection. I would also pay close attention to his eating and drinking habbits. The swelling maybe effecing his throat and mouth so it may be difficult for him to swallow. If this is the case then maybe having a vet sedate him and get some fluids into him via IV would be benifical.

Poor eating habbits are the number one sign of a dogs health. If he is still eating well that is a great sign!

IM sorry again that this happened but I feel confident he will be ok.

BTW, the reason we are ruleing out Corals is because their venom usualy show no localized swelling at all. It a neruological venom and labor breathing and disorientation would be the main signs.

I got him antibiotic and steroid shots today, the same set my neighbor used when her dog was bitten by a rattler. He is still really swollen but seems to be acting normal. In fact he escaped from the yard again to go chasing racoons. Effin GD dog...same old Toby! I found some pucture marks right below his eye by the way. Here is a shot of some of the atrox I found around my area last year. Effin GD buzz worms! God bless em...

In the first pic I thought it looked like he had two puncture marks at about a 45 degree angle below his right eye--were those the ones? Glad he is okay.