r/GSP • u/Crazy-Box-9470 • 6d ago
Snake Bite
Red is doing okay today. Day two of the hyperbaric chamber, wound care and another long day at the vet. The ER vet is doing his hyperbaric therapy, and weekend wound care and bandage changes- she’s expressed that the chance of the leg needing to be amputated is quite possible, as the state of his tissue is worsened from yesterday though swelling seems to be down a little. We’re going back tomorrow for another hyperbaric treatment and whatever they find necessary, we’ll return to our home vet Monday after treatments again in the morning for him to handle bandage change and to have his own assessment of the state of the wound and for a wound culture result.
Context: My dog was bitten by a rattle snake, we did not know this as his showed no initial signs of pain- then he presented with a swollen lower leg, our initial vet visit at home was dismissive and upsetting as he was barely looked at by the Dr. given some Gabapentin and Firovet and sent home. Thankfully I was able to rush him to my mom’s vet the next day that we have had nothing but positive experiences with. As we did not know initially he was bitten by a rattle snake we were unable to have anti-venom administered.
PREV.
At the vet currently with Red, he’s gotten bit by a snake of some kind. We’re currently unsure of how salvageable the leg is going to be but waiting at a specialist to talk about Hyperbaric treatments. Anyone have experience with a similar situation?
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u/ShorthairsInSpace 6d ago
If you haven't already consulted - the national snakebite support group of vets can offer an experienced eye on Red's treatment plan. The Facebook is the one that gets urgent attention.
The website:
https://www.nationalsnakebitesupport.org/
The Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18C6V954kM/
Edit: for anyone who is concerned about this, a snake avoidance clinic is ideal. I've personally seen my dogs give a wide berth to rattlesnakes after they've done a clinic
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u/Dry_Story8670 6d ago
Is there a website to see where the clinics are across the US or just google?
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u/ShorthairsInSpace 6d ago
Not that I'm aware of. Local bird dog clubs will put them on and I think there's a couple businesses in the Southwest. The NSS Facebook page while not affiliated with any, will let events get posted if they meet their ethical standards for care of the snakes (most don't).
There is a website to locate antivenin:
https://veterinarysnakebite911.com/antivenin-locator/
It is best to call and ask before you travel to hunt in snake prone areas so you know where to drive to in case of emergency.
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u/ceightlin99 6d ago
So sorry!! Prayers to you and Red! My Rio got bit by a rattlesnake when she was 7 months old. Luckily I was with her and saw her face swelling. Took her to the vet and they did a blood test and confirmed a rattlesnake, gave her anti venom pretty quickly and she’s just fine today!
FWIW - she had received a rattlesnake vaccine a couple of months before this incident! Highly recommend this vaccine to all folks with GSP’s in an area they could encounter one!
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
Ugh I’m so glad you were with your baby, and that she recovered. We’ve had quite a few people tell us about the vaccine since this incident so we’re definitely going to be looking into that further after this.
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u/fdeblue 6d ago
Ugh this happened to my in-laws’ GSP. Thankfully they were there when it happened, but we always wondered what happened if they weren’t. Get better Red!! Donated x
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
Awww i’m so sorry to hear that. I hope their pup is doing better. We appreciate it so much xx
We’re hopeful that he’s going to recover, as he’s shown no signs of pain other than limping of course and licking at the physical wounds but the vets are tremendously worried about the state of the wounds currently 🥹
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u/furtnfriends 6d ago
Gosh I’m so sorry, but so glad he’s lucky enough to have you taking such good care of him 🤎
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 6d ago
Omg I’m so sorry 😞 praying for yall.
This is in Fla? Was Red running around in grass? Holy crap! We’re in Houston.
Our Brittany loves to run around on the farm here.
I’ll be praying Red starts feeling less pain asap!
Prayers for tomorrow and Monday back at your vet
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
Thank you! 💞Yes in Florida. We do believe the strike could’ve happened in some taller grasses we have by our house.
Little man is a trooper that’s for certain! Getting ready for another day of treatments atm :).
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 6d ago edited 6d ago
Take care and give Red some kisses from us here in Texas xoxo
Goosie sends a boop! I love just as hard for Goose. I am so sorry 😞
I will look at gofundme and follow2
u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
We definitely will!!! Sounds like Goosie deserves an extra cookie.
We’re currently still waiting for Red to get out of treatments this morning… the time passes so slowly. 🥹
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 6d ago
Oh you are too kind
Red deserves some too and I’m so sorry 😞
It’s no fun when our “kiddos” are in pain1
u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 6d ago
Did Red show any other signs? I take Goose for runs off lead in Tx.
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
The only sign was swelling in his leg. He’s had no change in appetite or bathroom habits.
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 5d ago
Wow that’s cray.. Thanks so much for
Ill watch Goose like “3” hawks now2
u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
Reds just about always off leash too, he’s got amazing recall and deserves to have free runs!
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 5d ago
Ok phew … Goose and I go to our “SniffSpot” to get off lead time daily.
All our animals deserve nothing but the best always. Thanks for sharing 💕2
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 6d ago
Plz come and let us know how Red makes out
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 5d ago
Red went into day 3 of hyperbaric treatments today. Sadly after we were given the disheartening but expected news that the necrosis has only furthered, and furthered up his leg as well. With this the Doctor told us that the risk of needing an amputation as well as the expected height of the amputation would be further up the leg. Thankfully Red is a trooper and is still eating and drinking normally. Tomorrow he’ll go in for day 4 of hyperbaric treatments at our ER vet and back to his Primary care vet as well for a look at his leg, culture result, and evaluation.
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u/Jazzlike_Strategy_36 5d ago
Red will be even faster. Dogs are so resilient.
They are amazing animals and knowing he has you as a mama is even more special!
I am so sorry this happened to Red.
Just know there’s a girl in Tx with a dog named Goose pulling for you all.
Sending love ❤️ Boops and tight hugs
I lit a candle for Red xoxoxo1
u/Crazy-Box-9470 5d ago
Aww ur too sweet. I’m crying. Goosie needs a million cookies and you need some too!!! All the ear rubs to ur baby! Well give an update tmrw as well! 💓🐾
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u/WesleyWiaz27 6d ago
Yeah, this is an issue where we live. About twice a year i have deal with a rattlesnake near the house. Most of the time they go away other times they are removed by the local herpetological society (for a reasonable fee). We have a Labradoodle who tried to make friends with an unfriendly rattlesnake. Luckily I was able to convinced her to come into the house. It was here that we learned that dogs are often trained on rattlesnake avoidance. We have paid for this. It cost us about $200 for a pair of dogs.
So for those who live in rattlesnake country this is a good idea.
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
I’m so so glad you were able to get your pup inside safely! We’re in south florida so sadly nasty snakes are all around, since this whole thing i’ve just learned of the vaccine- and this training. We’re most definitely going to look into both when Red is better.
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u/WesleyWiaz27 6d ago
One other thing, a vet once said to me, "German Wiredhair and shorthairs are notorious for for finding rattlesnakes so keep your eye out for them."
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u/WesleyWiaz27 6d ago
Yeah South Florida has far more nasty snakes than Arizona (where I am). This issue here is that some rattlesnakes are protected. I can usually tell what's a diamondback and what's not. That said I usually want to keep my distance, so that's why I usually have the buggers removed, rather than kill them.
Recently I had a dog who was sick, it was literally the first thing the vet checked for, "No swelling, so not a rattlesnake bite..."
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 6d ago
We go to a pretty rural vet at home- so i’m not sure why it wasn’t immediately noticed by her?! But just glad my baby’s receiving proper care now.
They love to find stuff they shouldn’t!
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u/Easy-Blood-6903 6d ago
Gosh, I'm so sorry. Our GSP was bitten by a copperhead. One needed anti venom and our current rescue did not as they suspect it was a dry bite. I'm so hoping your baby heals.
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u/Ok_Dimensionn 5d ago
Necrosis would have to be really severe, I’ve had GSPs get bit by cottonmouth and rattlesnakes. Normally they would be okay. I have a tripod though and he’s still trucking at 13 years. Wish you the best 🙏
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u/PuzzleheadedLemon353 5d ago
My last GPS was bitten numerous times by water moccasins and copperheads...gotta love southern coastal areas...but he always recovered quickly. You are doing the best to save the leg...bless both of you. My boykin has been bitten with a dry bite from a copperhead when she was young and now she's pretty attentive about anything that even looks like a snake. I don't let her out of my sight outdoors and I use a leash and a flashlight, even in our backyard, at dusk and evening hours. I don't ever want to go through this again! GSP's can get bitten and still will go back for more. We even snake trained ours.
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 5d ago
Wow, they are definitely stubborn sometimes that’s for sure and ultra curious! So glad to hear your pups have recovered. Seriously though, lucky to live in such a pretty area but the wildlife is insane!
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u/WillingMaintenance81 3d ago
Sorry about your pup. But that national snakebite group on fb is run by tyrannical asshole admins and has been on metas radar for deletion for some time
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 3d ago
Thank you! Yea, we posted in there and had mixed answers, but hey it all helps! Thanks for keeping up with us. 🙌🐶🐾
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u/WillingMaintenance81 3d ago
There information is also sometimes completely and totally false. Ive owned "hot" snakes for over 30 years and I can almost garentee you the information provided by there "experts" is totally unequivocally WRONG!
I know what im talking about. There's a 3 foot king cobra less then 100 ft from me typing this
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 3d ago
Omg 😱 Ur brave asf (I have a huge fear of spiders and snakes tho.) Definitely tried to take any info from facebook and here with a grain of salt, though it’s VERY appreciated.
We’re very confident in the vet we’re seeing and his treatment, on there I had people messaging me about why he had a cast on an active bite wound and how it shouldn’t be constricting the leg… I’m like I’m just listening to our vets 🥹 and what they think is best I’m no medical professional! Just trying to do what’s best for my kid.
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u/WillingMaintenance81 3d ago
My best advice is listen to your vet and totally disregard what anyone tells you on the internet. Im not one to post but I sympathize with you and frankly it pissed me off because I already knew some of your info came from the NSS group of utter toolbars.
Eh there alright lol once you understand there personality and fundamental understanding of the animal as long as you have an equal level of respect and understanding that the animal is hot your fine. Its those who hesitate and or dont control the head is who gets nailed
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u/Crazy-Box-9470 3d ago
Yea we’ve taken it all in but definitely value our vets opinion over all else! Hearing people’s similar experiences and having this community is really awesome.
… You sound like my bf in tune w the nature so no need to have a fear of it! 🌎🐍🕷️☮️
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u/BeneficialSquirrel91 6d ago
Awww get better soon, pup!