My baby, bit by a rattlesnake

[shadowlk]

I got a call on my way home from work last night (around 6:30pm) that my 1.5 year old baby boxer Layla was vomiting, acting weird and not moving much. Upon arriving home I noticed her face was swollen but this had happened before when she was stung by a bee, for which I had given her some benydryl and it had gotten better. She wouldn't drink or eat even her favorites (milk or peanut butter), I started to get worried. Another 15 minutes later I noticed some swelling under her neck so I immediately started looking for puncture wounds but didn't find any. Regardless, I rushed her to the emergency vet and sure enough they located two puncture wounds on her muzzle =(. Surprisingly, the vet said they cant be sure it's even a snake, I mean what else could it be? My next shock of my life...800 dollars for antivenin alone. The vet said they would have to first do some blood tests to find irregularities in her blood to be certain if the antivenin is necessary. I got a call around midnight from the vet telling me they would have to administer the antivenin. Layla has been there overnight and I visited her this morning. Although the swelling under her neck hasn't significantly gone down, it hasn't gotten worse either. I still dont know what to expect. I'm worried that waiting 5 hours after the bite before giving her the antivenin might have been too late.

Does anyone else have experience with this? Please send good vibes to her. Thank you.

 

[shadowlk]

Also, I forgot to mention that I live in southern california, which has only 7 species of poisonous snakes, all of them being rattlers, and canyon country specifically being home to only the southern pacific rattlesnake.

 

[lmorey]

Unfortunately I have no advice, but I know our neighbor's dog got bit by a snake a couple of years ago and she turned out fine. Not sure what kind of a snake it was (probably a copperhead - Cash cornered one last summer!), or how long it had been since she was bit. My husband and I had gone over to help them do something, and I was petting their dog and she yelped when I touched her muzzle. She was also acting very out of character, so they ended up taking her to the emergency vet. I can't remember what all they had to do, or if they ended up giving her anti-venom, but I do know that she didn't have to stay overnight. Good luck!

 

[samsons]

no advice ---
just some (((((((((( healing vibes )))))))))) & ((((((( sober kisses )))))))))))))))

keep us posted

 

[Gatorblu]

How scary for you! I've no advice but am sending healing ((vibes)) and a prayer your way.

 

[joeys mom]

Sending lots of healing vibes !!!!

 

[Cami]

Thoughts and prayers being sent your way!
I hope the anti venom does its job!

 

[dbetz]

How scary. I really hope your baby is ok. Please keep us posted. I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts.

 

[ZoesDad]

So sorry to hear that :-( I sure hope she gets well soon!

We had a close call a couple days ago.We take Zoe to the horse park and through the woods at least twice a day. Well, she likes to chase small animals. She never catches them, but she likes the play aspect. She saw a little bird hop out of a thorn bush patch and went after it, so it hopped back in. As she started to inspect the thorn bush, I noticed a curly black "stick"....until I saw the tongue flicker. "ZOE, HERE!!" She trotted over and continued our walk. Sometimes she doesn't come when called so well, but it seems like when it really matters, she trots right on over. Maybe she senses the seriousness in my voice.

 

[SweetCody]

Oh My how scary. I too have no advice..never been in this sitution. I will also add my prayers and many healing vibes for your sweet Layla. And some calming vibes and a big hug to you.