[Wynn]

I was wrapping up things at work in preparation of a 5 day muzzleloading hunt at our lease. At 1 PM, I received a panic stricken call from my wife that my 18 month old bloodhound was at the door bleeding and with her hind leg badly swollen. Did not know if she was shot, struck by vehicle or what as we live in a very rural location. Got home and back to the vet with her in minutes and the doc quickly diagnosed her as having a snake bite. They have her on steroids and anti-biotics and are keeping her over night. She was semi-alert and walking gingerly on 3 legs when I got her in but needless to say I am worried and my wife is inconsolable at this point.

I've seen diamond back rattlers in my area and even killed one last year that was 6' 9" but coming in to the yard is to much. I am postponing my hunt and am going to spend the weekend scouring my property for the culprit and nursing my best friend. She is a natural tracker and responsible for recovering two poorly hit deer last season at our hunt club when she was only 6 months old.

 

[MG-70]

Hope she can recuperate.

Good luck!

 

[Rod WMG]

A good dog is invaluable and the bond between us and them can't be estimated. Hope all turns out well.

 

[jebber]

Good luck, hopefully she will have a full recovery.

I was house-sitting my sister's place this spring and on the day she was coming home one of her Labs got bit by a coral snake. I had him into the vet within a couple of hours and he made a full recovery. It did take days to be sure he was ok and a couple of weeks to get 100%.

Keep us updated.

jb

 

[HerrMesser]

I hope she recovers as they are the one friend that is always there for you. I have two small dogs they will mope around when I go hunting as I am gone for a week or so.

Rad

 

[AzCetme]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she recovers quickly.

 

[Buckshooter]

I had to keep my three Basset Hounds away from the copper heads this summer. They thought they were something to catch and kill. I got rid of the snakes. Threw moth balls around the fence. Let the neighbor with the high brush in his back yard keep them. Hope your hound is well.

 

[chester]

Re-Copper Heads.

Would like to see a pic. and how dangerouse your copper head is. We have a copper head down here but its not very big and as far as i know its not a killer. Thanks I.A. chester.

 

[BBQ SAM In Memoriam]

I hate to hear about your friends injury.Some people just do not understand the connection between a man and his animal.(or should I say an animal and their Human ? ). Seriously,I know men & women who have connections with everything from horses to cats to dogs (personally I have had a little cairn terrior for about 10 years now and do not know what I'd do without her.).


I am sure you already have heard this "old wives tale" BUT my father lived by it. Put down a 1/2 inch high by 1/2 inch across line of lime dust around your pen or yard and snakes will not cross it . At least I never saw one inside our yard when I was a youngling.Dad usually did his lining once in the spring.

 

[Wynn]

Update on my bloodhound. The vet kept her through Saturday due to increased swelling in her leg but then released her. My wife and I decided she might recover better without our other dogs around and took her on up to our hunting lease. We kept her calm and comfortable in our trailer and she was able to get our undevided attention this way.

Well she is doing much better and starting to put a little weight on her leg. She is on steroids and a strong anti-biotic which makes her groggy. When I let her out of the camp trailer this morning, she spotted a feral cat and lit out after it. I expect there will be some atrophy around the site of the bites but otherwise, she is on her way to recovery. It appears she was struck twice but the fang marks are only about 1/2" apart so it was likely a pygmy rattler which are prolific in overgrown fields and brush around here. Thanks to everyone for the moral support! Wynn