NEWS & STAR (Carlisle, UK) 02 October 06 Sheepdog is bitten by adder
A Penrith pet owner whose dog was bitten by an adder near Plumpton believes there should be signs warning of the snakes.
Owners Val and Neil Watson, of Friars Terrace, were walking their three Shetland sheepdogs at Brownrigg Fell when one of them, 10-year-old Simba, was bitten while sniffing around in bracken.
The couple were unaware of the attack and carried on walking, until after about quarter of a mile, Simba collapsed on all fours and started to shake.
Mrs Watson thought he had had a stroke, until they walked back past the same place and their other dog skirted around the area again.
Simba continued to have convulsions, despite being given anti-histamine at Penrith Vets Frame and Swift. Mrs Watson had to travel to Kendal to collect some venom antidote and Simba has since made a complete recovery.
“A lot of people go up there with children and animals, but there are no signs warning people about the possibility of adders,” she said.
An animal is thought to have up to 17 hours in which to receive treatment for an adder bite.
Sheepdog is bitten by adder