Dogs and poisonous snakes!!!!

[Rowdy's Dad]

We are currently looking to move out into the country a liitle bit. In the suburbs, we have seen nothing more than grass snakes and garter snakes. Rowdy likes to paw at them and bark. How can I keep him from playing with rattlesnakes and water moccasins? There are many more of them in the country. We even saw a rattlesnake at our last boxer bash. Fortunately we found it before the dogs and slung it away with a stick.

 

[heidiho]

Back when General was about a year old we took him camping. Behind our camp spot was some tall grass that he was playing and sure enough he stirred up a rattler. Luckily he just stared at it and left it alone. He didn't go into the grass after that. The snake was making all sorts of noise and was really agitated. This could have been why General didn't mess with it. Not really sure how to keep your dog from playing with one, but hopefully the noise will keep him away. When the snakes are mad they really do make quite a bit of noise. We live in the country, more like the tooley booleys, and just love it.

 

[Aimee]

I was once told that dogs do not react to snake bites like humans do. I can't confirm that this is true--can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[matilda8255]

My girl Cleo got bit in the face by a rattlesnake a couple of years ago. It swelled up like a golf ball and we took her directly to the vet. The vet gave her some antihistamines for the swelling but said dogs are not allergic to rattlesnakes in the same way people are. She required no furthur treatment and the swelling went away in a couple of days. I don't know if this holds true for all snakes and I would still take any dog to the vet just the same. On the plus side she isn't so quick to stick her head down misc. holes anymore.

Here is a site to check out..

http://www.placervillevet.com/rattlesnake antivenin.htm

 

[Lbodley]

I too worry about snakes. We have some property in Oklahoma and there are many snakes. We have not seen any but I know they are there. I have not taken my dogs the last two summers. It is first too hot and second I am afraid of them finding a snake. I am under the impression that snakes are very dangerous to dogs. But, rattlers can bite and not release venom. Of course who wants to take that chance. I purchased for our last trip something called snake away. It smells like moth balls. If fact, I have been told you can use moth balls but you have to reapply after the rain. Snake away can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes or such. You spread it around and it suppose to keep snakes away from your home, log pile ect. I will not allow my dogs to run off leash. I think this is the best advice. I know people want to take their pets and let them run when in the country but, unless your dog will return to you when called 100% of the time, it is too big of a risk. For what it is worth.