The following information is given to inform, and give you hope during a dog owner’s worst night mare! Your beloved pet’s bitten by a snake – oh if only they could talk!!

“George” affectionately known as ‘Georgie’  — male 9 yr old Shitzu, 9 kg dog was un-be known to me bitten by a snake – probably most certainly a black or a copper head near Kyneton Victoria, Australia  — on Thursday evening 21^st November 2010 at about 6.45pm.

 

HERE IS RECORD DIARY OF HOW EVENTS TRANSPIRED

 Day1

Thursday 21^st about 6.45 pm – my friend heard a dog yelp outside the house but took no notice. At 7 pm George wondered up a flight of stairs looking unwell and put his head on my lap as I was sitting at the top stair.

-          He looked unwell, miserable some trembling in his legs, unsteady. I picked him up and put him on the floor downstairs, he would not walk. Legs were weak, trembling, just stands their, he won’t move – is something broken?? Something is definitely wrong.

          Has he pulled a muscle/ligament in his back [like in April 2008] again? [Which paralyzed him for the waist down then].Or fractured a leg? Dislocated a joint when playing with several larger dogs that are outside? What’s wrong? I thought he done his ‘back’ in. Leave for Vet at 7.15 pm  — arrive in Melbourne at 8.10 pm. Wait in waiting room till 10.45 pm to see vet  [4 hours post bite]– George gets worse, starts yelping in severe pain during this time is occurring, agitated, yelping, crying more, especially on some movement, I find it hard to keep him calm.

 VET MIS – DIAGNOSIS

-          Vet checks out limbs, joints, back, I tell him of his previous medical History — everything seems ok here. Blood however is coming from his urethra/penile area and spills over onto the vets hand. What’s that? Vet unsure? Vet did not pass a catheter to check it out into his bladder. [Should have]!! Fresh blood 3-4 mls at least. Stated it could be a ‘snake bite’?? But he did not explain at all what the symptoms of Snake Bite are — Know them – see below – their obvious, and this fella was presenting a ‘classic case’. Georgie had NOT passed any urine since incident, would not drink or eat.

-          Georgie Still trembling and in obvious pain, distress.

-          VET gives injection of Morphine, a long acting antibiotic, and a non steroidal anti-inflammatory. [A cortico- steroid would have been much better under the circumstances]. Gums pink still, can still stand – just – trembling, temperature slightly down.  Discharges Georgie home on Tramadol for pain ½ tablet, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory liquid. And “watch the gums don’t go pale”.

 -          Arrive home $245 poorer at 12.30 am hours – Georgie still would not pass any urine since incident, would not drink or eat. Put him on the grass, would not walk. I am puzzled??

Friday 22^nd November – day 2

-          All night slept in the same room with Georgie observing him a little, no change, no urine, no drinking, very very little movement – able to walk wonkily just still, but only for very short distances. In pain when picked up or held — yelping. He crawled over to my bed as if to say I am not well.

-          Losing my confidence, and spiraling anxiety  – early in morning I decided to go to a vet I knew and trusted — so I drove 4 hours to Albury NSW made appointment on the way and saw vet at 12.30 hrs. In the car George lay still, barely moving   — no urine, refusing water, became uncomfortable if I moved him. Decided not to give him the Tramadol so as not to ‘mask’ the symptoms for a second opinion.

 VET No 2: Albury, Hume Animal  Hospital at 12.30 pm  – Now about 18 hours Post Snake Bite.

-          Had to lift  out of car. Still able to raise head, and stand but barely able to walk, trembling legs +++. Heart rate by now is ‘racing’, dehydrated. Catheter to bladder inserted and immediately drained about 50 – 80 mls of blood, heaps!! Just seemed to keep coming. I said what could cause that?

-          VET – only one thing “Snake Bite” . But it is  too late for anti – venom – it won’t work!!

-          IV line inserted commenced on Intra venous fluids [IV Hartmans], and immediate Heamotology and biochemetries tests.

-          IV Vitamin C given upon my request at 4 pm [got in touch with a snake expert – he suggested. Stated if he survived over night he has a good chance]!! PRAY PRAY PRAY — don’t dismiss this — I am sure it worked!! I put all my faith into countering that Poisin!!

4.30 PM

CKL over 6,000 + reported  — definitely a snake bite. Normal Level Should be under 200. He’s pretty sick! Not looking good! ** CKL testing- Creatine Kinase Level Testing- It indicates how much muscle damage there is from tissue breakdown.

Saturday 23^rd November – Day 3

10.30 am – Renal urine still concentrated — blood present but less, WCC — white cell count elevated]. Hb & PCV normal, so he has not lost too much blood from internal bleeding]. LFTs – liver function test are ok.

- Plan to continue running through lots of IV Fluids [Hartman’s Solution] and also IV Vitamin C 1000 mg in morning and another IV 500 mg tonight. Hopeful still. [See the Story link at the end of this Blog Re Vitamin C]

- Alot less blood in urine today. Specific Gravity S.G – of urine still very concentrated – indicative that their may be some renal damage. Poor renal function not good. Acute renal failure still some what present.

- Vet stated it was better if I did not come in and visit Georgie as he did not want him to get excited, but just rest and his kidneys going again.

Sunday 24^th Novemeber – Day 4

-          George Pulled his IV line out over night [not good]. Because of a mix up was not resited until about 4 pm. However a sign that he is improving – now able to stand up in cage – drinking a little or but not eating still, but looking a little better.

-          CKL level still high over 2,000 – still at least 10 times normal level

-          S.G. Specific Gravity – of urine still very concentrated still. Hopefully renal function will pick up??? Or we are in trouble!

-          I dropped in his cage a little towel with my scent all over it. I have heard once it can give them comfort and know that they are not abandoned.

Monday 25^th November – Day 5

 

-          Able to visit and see him for  few minutes in the morning! Wow the little fella has been through the ringer, totally washed out, spaced out; took 15 seconds before he knew who I was. Anorexic, weight loss +++. Had to put a hat-muzzle on him to prevent him pulling the IV line out again.  Things looking good now – plan discharge Tuesday,  day 6 – if  CLK elevated still but , much improved.

-          – He ate a little chicken for the first time today.

Tuesday 26^th Novemeber – Day 6 – Discharged

Georgie collected at 2 pm, now looking much much better! Praise The Lord! extremely excited to see someone familiar. Able to walk out to the car as normal — able to eat small to moderate amount roast chicken [no skin] and a little rice and drink too.

Tired but inquisitive. Getting back much more to normal. Very, very insecure – follows you every where.

-          No need for a special renal or low protein diet

-           Instructions to keep him quiet for 2 weeks – no interaction with other dogs, or running around etc.

Wednesday 27^th – Day 7

At home barking when he wants, eating drinking well. Dislikes noise, still tired but improving daily now.

-          Vet follow up at 5 pm today — heart rate normal, temp fine. A small miracle!! Staff thrilled “that’s Georgie the snake Bite doing well”.

Thursday 28^th – Day 8

Continue with convalescence, add some veggies to diet  and also syringe into his mouth High Potency Fish Oil [Ethical Nutrients], 1 ml a day and Vitamin B complex,  0.5 ml. & Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid  — much to his own disgust!

 Total Vet Cost - – $245 + $760

 

HOME CLEAN UP TIME — Clean up all long grass, stop walking off lead — be very careful at night — Snakes are nocturnal. Get rid of all tin, roofing iron metal lying around, [snakes love the warmth of]; attack all mice with bates, frogs too,  — remove food sources for snakes to stay around.

CLASSIC SANKE BITE SYMPTOMS

What are the signs of snakebite?    When the snakes bite they inject venom, which contains a variety of toxins. The neurotoxin is the most important toxin in the venom of Australian snakes, causing paralysis.

The signs of snakebite vary depending on factors such as type of venom, location of bite and amount of venom injected. Dogs are more commonly bitten on the face or jaw, cats on their paws.

DOGS

• Trembling, salivation, vomiting and depression
• Unsteadiness, hindleg weakness, dilated pupils and worsening paralysis
• Respiratory distress, red-brown urine, complete paralysis and coma
• Some dogs may collapse suddenly then appear to recover before showing above signs up to an hour later.
• Death can occur within 2 hours of snakebite, even within 30 minutes
• Blood in Urine

Another List I Found stated:

Signs of snake bite include:

* Sudden weakness followed by collapse.
* Shaking or twitching of the muscles and difficulty blinking.
* Vomiting.
* Loss of bladder and bowel control.
* Dilated pupils.
* Paralysis.
* Blood in urine.

SIGNIFICANT POINTS.

• Most fatalities do not occur quickly. Most occur 6 hours or more after being bitten.
• A small percentage of bites will be rapidly fatal. In these cases the animal is usually dead before any chance of help is available. These are usually cases of multiple bites or bites into the bloodstream of adjacent areas.
• Symptoms may not be seen for even 12 to 24 hours.
• You very rarely see the bite marks but may see an area of stickiness around the bitten area.
• Most bites are due to inquisitiveness or aggression towards the snake.
• Most bites are on the face, head and lower limbs.
• If unsure as to which type of snake has bitten an animal there is a combined brown/tiger snake antivenom.
• Snakebite treatment is successful in over 80% of cases.
• A 12 inch (30cm) long brown or tiger snake can kill a dog or cat.
• If more than one animal is bitten the second, third, etc., can all die. 
•  The prognosis was poor for dogs presenting with the triad of complete flaccid paralysis, dyspnoea and a sub-normal temperature.

VARIETY OF SNAKE

Snakes are on the move again and they are all more aggressive at this time of year. Brown snakes, tiger snakes and black snakes are the most important venomous snakes in this area so watch out for the following symptoms. If you think your furry pal might have been bitten, seek prompt attention from your veterinarian.

BROWN snake. Weakness, collapse and initial hindquarter paralysis which progresses to forequarter paralysis are classical symptoms of brown snake bite. The animal may make attempts to move, which do not appear to have any strength, and collapse again. If untreated paralysis of the respiratory muscles causes respiratory failure and death. There may be paralysis and lolling of the tongue and also the throat muscles, leading to voice loss, however before paralysis sets in the animal may initially appear excited, distressed and panting. Vomiting, especially with blood in it, is a poor prognostic sign and indicates urgency.

TIGER snake. The signs are similar to that of brown snake bite but often with more excitement, more chance of vomiting and being abnormally twitchy and sensitive to stimulation. It is often impossible to distinguish clinically between brown snake and tiger snake poisoning, but it is of critical importance as far as treatment goes because brown snake antivenom does not help tiger snake bite, and vice versa.

BLACK snake. The neurotoxic (nerve affecting) effects of black snake bite are much less pronounced. Black snake venom affects the blood and tissues more severely. The most important signs are weakness with pale mucous membranes, sometime haemorrhages in vomit or diarrhoea and a lesser degree of paralysis and incoordination.

TREATMENT. In all cases of snakebite the correct antivenom in adequate dosage (the dose is not dependent on animal size but on the amount of venom injected) gives an excellent chance of recovery if administered in time. Supportive treatment includes corticosteroids, antibiotics (snakes mouths are dirty), intravenous drips, hot water beds etc.

Treatment is expensive so the best defence is to avoid walking or playing with your pets in areas of bushland or long grass, especially in summer. For tiger snakes, avoid long grass near rivers and creeks.

Keep your yard free of long grass or piles of wood, rubbish or junk, and keep the rat and mice population under control (popular food for snakes).

…dogs show symptons soon after the bite , other dogs it can take some time. You are looking at a min of $2000 for anti syrum and treatment. It will knock him around a bit.

Treatment is expensive so the best defence is to avoid walking or playing with your pets in areas of bushland or long grass, especially in summer. For tiger snakes, avoid long grass near rivers and creeks.

Keep your yard free of long grass or piles of wood, rubbish or junk, and keep the rat and mice population under control (popular food for snakes).

 

…dogs show symptons soon after the bite , other dogs it can take some time. You are looking at a min of $2000 for anti syrum and treatment. It will knock him around a bit…

WHAT IS VENOM?

 Venom is a toxic fluid created in specialized oral glands related to salivary glands, and the toxic component is composed of an array of complex proteins. Every snake’s venom contains more than one

toxin, and in combination the toxins have a more potent effect than the sum of their individual effects.  Most of the toxic effects are due to the enzymes in the venom and there have been about twenty-five enzymes discovered so far. Venoms are of two types, either neurotoxic (affecting the nervous system) or hemotoxic (affecting the blood and vessels).  The venom of many snakes contains both neurotoxic and hemotoxic components.

WHAT DOES VENOM DO?

 
Venomous snakebites cause severe pain, cell death, numbness, diminished function and, occasionally, loss of a limb. Snake venoms inflict local effects such as inflammation, damage to blood vessel lining, clotting defects and localized tissue destruction. Some venom can also cause neurotoxicity and interfere with nerve transmission resulting in paralysis.

WHAT IS ANTIVENIN?
Antivenin is a serum that is commercially produced to neutralize the effects of the injected venom.  At special laboratories healthy horses are injected with increasing amounts of selected snake venom (non-fatal, of course), gradually challenging the horse to make more antibodies.  To obtain these antibodies, a small amount of blood is later removed from the horse and the protein antibodies are separated out and purified.  A specific antibody is produced for each type of snake. The newer antivenins are ovine derived and very expensive at $1500 per 2 vials. Severe envenomations might require as many as 10 vials.

In humans, antivenin is injected either through the veins or into muscle, and it works by neutralizing snake venom that has entered the body. Antivenins have been in use for decades and are the only effective treatment for some bites.

With the antivenin that is obtained from horses, snakebite victims who are sensitive to horse proteins must be carefully managed. The danger is that they could develop an adverse reaction or even a potentially fatal allergic condition called anaphylactic shock. To identify these and other sensitive patients, hospitals will normally if possible obtain a record of the victim’s experience with snakebites or horse products. But some people with no history of such exposures may have become sensitive through contact with horses, or possibly through exposure to horse dander, and be unaware that they are sensitive. Hospitals also perform a skin test that may quickly show any sensitivity to horse derived products; however, the test also can give a false-positive or false-negative skin reaction. Some hypersensitive patients may even have severe reactions to the small amount of antivenin used in the skin test.

Certain venomous snakebites may be treated without using antivenin. This is usually a judgment call the doctor makes based on the snake’s size and other factors, which normally involves close monitoring of patients in a medical facility.

Antivenin can be a lifesaver. The Eastern Brown Snake–found in large numbers in the Eastern States –can reach eight feet in length and deliver a large amount of venom. “It’s an extremely dangerous bite that requires immediate treatment with antivenin or the patient will probably die.

Because people who are bitten can’t always positively identify a snake, they should seek prompt care for any bite, though they may think the snake is non-poisonous. Even a bite from a so-called “harmless” snake can cause an infection or allergic reaction in some individuals.

People bitten by snakes often lack the characteristic fang marks, sometimes making the bite hard to detect, often a couple of scratch marks is all that there is to indicate where the snake has bitten–the snake’s neurotoxic venom can be very dangerous, many victims can experience respiratory paralysis, very quickly unles hlp is at hand.

The bites of most Australian snakes can be effectively treated with antivenin. But factors, such as the time since being bitten and care taken before arriving at the hospital, also are critical.

A few basic first-aid techniques. these steps should be taken:

Most importantly stay calm, panicking and strenuous exercise such as running will speed the spread of the venom increasing the chance of death.

Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart. Get medical help.

The main thing is to get to a hospital and don’t delay,

A compression bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, may help slow venom. The bandage should not cut off blood flow from a vein or artery. A good rule of thumb is to make the band loose enough that a finger can slip under it.

Because not all snakebites, including those from the same species, are equally dangerous, doctors have to decide whether or not to administer antivenin. Venomous snakes, don’t always release venom when they bite. Other snakes may release too small an amount to pose a hazard.

Factors such as genetic differences among snakes, their age, nutritional status, and the time of year also can affect venom potency.

The only way to look at snakebites is on an individual basis and on the patient’s actual reaction to the venom. Basic signs like pain, swelling and bleeding, along with more complicated reactions such as ecchymosis (purple discoloration), necrosis (tissue dies and turns black), low blood pressure, and tingling of lips and tongue give medical professionals clues to the seriousness of bites and what treatment route they should take.

Although antivenin can effectively in many cases reverse the effects of venom and save life and limb, there is no guarantee that it can reverse damage already done, such as tissue necrosis. Some patients may later require skin grafts or other treatment. The potential for limiting complications is one compelling reason to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after snakebite.

ADDIT:

Brown Snake venom causes neurological symptoms (weakness, ataxia, respiratory paralysis) and coagulopathy which can result in severe hemorrhage. Renal toxicity is also possible. Happily muscle damage is nearly non existent in brown snake envenomation. Most victims of snake bite need at least 2 vials of snake antivenom early in their treatment as most snakes will deliver more than one lethal dose in a successful envenomation.
Prognosis is generally considered good with early treatment and ongoing supportive care.

Plus vet had also said that red bellied black snakes do more damage and are worse than a brown snake bite in recovery.

Avoiding Snakebites

Some bites, such as those inflicted when snakes are encountered in wild settings, are difficult to prevent. But a few precautions can lower the risk of being bitten, Most of all be aware of your surroundings.

• Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or look closer at it.
• Stay out of tall grass unless you wear boots and thick long trousers, and remain on paths as much as possible.
• Don’t pick up rocks or firewood without carefully looking around first.
• Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks.

 

SNAKES AND DOGS

It is a moment you will never forget if you and your dog encounter a poisonous snake while simply taking a pleasant walk in the outdoors.

Snakebites are a fact of life for dogs and humans in Australia. Unfortunately there are no details on the numbers of dogs bitten, or killed, by venomous snakes.

In general, snakes want to be left alone. But along comes an inquisitive dog probing every mysterious hole in the ground, sniffing under downed logs, slogging along the riverbank, and digging up leafy patches on the forest floor… and a lightening strike of the serpentine kind may be the result!

Even at rest in their own yard, dogs are at risk of being bitten, snakes are often attracted to kennels and feeding places, most dogs are naturally inquisitive and often a deadly bite is the result of them checking out the snake.

What not to do, in the event a snake bites your dog?
Do not take out your knife and cut x’s over the bite!  Do not attempt to suck venom through those X marks.  Do not attempt to kill the snake.  You will probably be bitten yourself.

If your dog is bitten.
Try to identify the snake by taking note of its size, colour patterns and the presence or absence of a rattle at the end of the tail.
Look the dog over carefully for fang marks, noting that there may be more than one bite wound.

If bitten on a leg, wrap a constricting band on the affected limb snugly at a level just above the bite wound (on the body side of the wound).  This band could be fashioned of a shirtsleeve or other fabric and should be snug but not excessively tight.
Start your journey to the nearest animal hospital while trying to keep the dog as quiet as possible, do not make the dog walk carry it if possible.

PREVENTING SNAKE BITES
While out walking, controlling your dog with a leash may be your best safety device.
Do not allow your dog to explore holes in the ground or dig under logs, flat rocks or planks.
Stay on open paths where there is an opportunity for snakes to be visible.
Keep night walks to a minimum; snakes are nocturnal in the warmer months of the year.
If you see a snake, keep your dog at your side; then move away.
Off-trail hiking with an unleashed dog may stir up a snake and you may be as likely a victim as your dog.
If your dog seems unusually curious about “something” hidden in the grass, back off immediately until you know what it is.

At home do not leave uneaten dog food around; it attracts rodents, which will in turn attract snakes to your dog’s home.

Install Sentinel Snake Repellers close to you dogs “space”.

Snakes are regular visitors to dog breeding establishments, often preying on the valuable young puppies, they will often enter dogs enclosures, with in many times fatal results for both the snake and the dogs, this is common problem we come across, often made especially distressing if the dog is valuable or a mother (or to be) as the whole litter can easily be lost leaving an emotional and economic mark.

Vigilance and keeping control of your dog when walking in areas inhabited by poisonous snakes will be your best deterrent to a snake encounter.  It’s not a bad idea to memorize your veterinarian’s emergency phone number, too!

Horses are often bitten by snakes and in many cases it can prove fatal, many a good horse has been bitten, survived but afterwards has never been able to match up to its previous self with the ongoing effects of the bite. Horses are very sensitive to the effects of snakebite, this is why they are often used to produce antivenin, by slowly giving the horse minute amounts of venom, the horses system in turn reacts and produces antibodies, so after time and very careful skilled medical procedure antidotes to snake venom is produced. But you loved pet horse or valuable livestock is much more likely to receive a large dose of venom on its face due to their inquisitive behaviour horses will sniff at a snake and get bitten, causing much distress to the horse.

Cats regularly receive snakebites although they do have a little better resistance to the effects than many animals they still die in many cases; their habit of catching small snakes is probably the main cause of bites.

Do not handle any snakes that your cat brings in as even small snakes can be deadly poisonous, take great care with dead snakes as they still have the venom and if it gets on your skin can still have terrible effects, the same goes for any dead animal snakebite victims use gloves or better still a shovel to move them.

Treatment of dogs and other animals for snakebite can be very expensive -Talk with your Animal hospital about any insurance plans they may have.

Remember in the event of a snakebite keep the patient calm

RECOMMENDED READING — See This Great Story —

How Our Dog Survived a Tiger Snake Bite With Vitamin C

Bobby : 7 year old Staffordshire Terrier, weighing 35kg

http://machinistswife.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-our-dog-survived-tiger-snake-bite.html