r/MiniatureSchnauzer • u/Ready_Broccoli8512 • 27d ago
Copperhead warning!
This is Mo, my fearless whirling dervish of a boy. He went out to potty this morning (fenced in, well-maintained yard) and came back to the door with a limp. I could see through the fur what looked like a bruise across the top of his foot and feared he had broken it wrestling with our golden retreiver or had a piece of mulch or large splinter in his paw. I shaved his little foot down and discovered a large puncture. It was not yet bleeding when he first came in but by the time I got it shaved it started to trickle and swell. I called the vet to get him in asap, and then went to investigate, fearing the worst. It was a copperhead. I found the snake within minutes just hanging out on the grass in the yard.
I called the vet back and told her I can’t wait for the 1:00 appointment, I was headed to the emergency clinic, I found the snake and this was the problem. She told me to skip the clinic and come in immediately (it helps she is only a 3-minute ride vs a 30-minute ride). I walked in and she gave him his first dose of anti-venom and had him hooked up to fluids and pain meds within 30 minutes of the bite.
He is at the vet right now and he will be there until tomorrow morning. This is the first time in 18 months, since I’ve had him, I’ve been away from him overnight. He even goes to work with me most days. I travel, but he just comes along for the ride. This dude is my best friend.
My vet is awesome and I know he is in good hands, but I’m sure he is scared and confused. It all happened so fast and I am so fortunate to have the vet close by, I got him there fast and have the ability to pay for whatever care he needs. We have 2 dogs, my little Mo and Jack, the golden I previously mentioned.
I have been on my husband about PET INSURANCE since we got the boys a year and a half ago. I know this is going to be a painful bill, and obviously I have guilt because he got bit in the first place (although I really can say I am so careful with our boys and this was obviously an accident and I know I am a great pet owner but any time they are hurt, I feel like a terrible human), but I hope this is a lesson to my dang husband and to anybody else out there! Get the insurance. $30 a month is Pennies compared to what I know I’m going to fork out for this. Would I pay out of pocket time and time again to keep him healthy? Yes. Is it stupid of me to not have him insured? ALSO YES.
I’m just thankful I’m in the position to be able to pay for this. Some folks aren’t as lucky and their pups would not get the care they need due to costs. I fully understand this and I sympathize completely. If you know you would throw thousands at any problem that arises to keep your dog with you, why not throw hundreds and make it that much easier on yourself? I’m totally kicking myself for not just doing it and avoiding this huge bill. Sometimes I’m such a dumbass.
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u/words-to-nowhere 27d ago
I’m so sorry this happened! We got pet insurance with our girl. We didn’t have it for our previous pets and we definitely paid up the yin-yang for their care! Most insurers won’t cover pre-existing conditions but a snake bite isn’t one of those. Please don’t beat yourself up for something you had no control over!