Bitten by a rattle snake

minpinmom · 09-17-2009, 04:18 PM

I'm new here, been reading everything I can lately about snake bites and dogs and found this site. I'll introduce myself later on the introduction page.
Friday, Sept 4 my miniature pinscher, Littelbit, was bitten by a timber rattler. I took her to the vet pronto. She is healthy but overweight at 16 pounds. She survived.. with introveinious meds of steriods, pain meds and antibiotics. In 4 days she was home again, slowly recovering. On day 10, after the bite, she was being more herself. That night she started vomiting. During the night she got diarea with very loose, bloody, stinky stools. My first thought was Parvo and first thing this past tuesday morning we went back to the vet. He said it was an intestinal infection, gave her 2 shots and antibiotic to take at home. He said that usually older dogs don't get Parvo. She's 7 yrs old so he ruled that out. It's Thursday and Littlebit is still having loose, bloody stools. She's weak and hasn't eaten more than a tablespoon of food in 2 days, but she is still drinking small amounts of water which is a good thing. I'll take her back to the vet in the morning if I don't see great improvrment overnight.
I guess my question is..could this be something related to the snake bite? Could my vet be wrong about Parvo? I'd like your opinions please. I'm on the verge of being a basket case with worry. It's been a long 2 weeks and looks like more to come yet.

Bandits_mom · 09-17-2009, 04:40 PM

Im sorry to hear about littlebit getting bit by a snake, i have had a couple of dogs to get bit by snakes, for we lived in the woods, at the foot of a mountain. I was always told if something like this happen, make them eat a whole, non-boiled egg, it will look nasty and they may not want it but it does the body good, it helps clean the system of any infection. we beat our egg in a bowl then put it on a plate and laid it in front of the dog for them to eat. Maybe try that? and also, you never know with Parvo, could be wrong, but i dont want to go against a vet, but everyone can make mistakes and sometimes things dont look like what they really are! I really wish you and little bit luck! I hope she gets better soon!

minpinmom · 09-18-2009, 07:08 AM

Thanks for your reply Jessica. Little bit is doing somewhat better this morning..now to get her to eat. There was no diarea thru the night so maybe the worst is over.
I'm your neighbor down in SC and I live in the country. I have a huge pond beside my home as well as a wooded area so snakes are drawn to my back yard. I've disposed of quite a few vipers but never had a dog bitten before. Minpins are as hyper as Rat terriers (I've had a R-T) and to keep them away from rodents, etc. is almost impossible. Thanks again for your response..I'll try the raw egg for Littlebit this morning.

Bandits_mom · 09-18-2009, 10:23 AM

Its nice to find someone who lives sorta in the same area lol that way when were talkin about things (ex: snakes) we have the same ones! Im glad she is doing better. Yea Bandit is so hyper, he doesnt get to go outside alone, our yard isnt fenced in and last time we tried to let him out alone, he ran from us lol. Our friend has a minpin and he is lazy, but that might be due to his weight. Yea woods and water will draw a snake to you. Need to learn how to write snake language and tell them to stay away lol. I really hope she does get better fast. Maybe you could try to give her wet food on top of her dry food and see if she will eat that way? i know dry food is bad for messin up their stomachs but anything is better than her not eating, i think anyway.
where did the snake get her at? I would love to see pics of her if you have any! Im going to be looking for another rat terrier(i know you dont have one, and this is off subject) after the first of the year, going to wait til Bandit is over a yr old(jan 1st is his bday). I love the rat terrier and minpins, may look into getting one of those instead.
But keep me updated please, sorry for getting off track. Tell little bit hello for me and Bandit and we hope she is better soon!

LeRoymydog · 09-18-2009, 10:28 AM

There is a bad coccidia thing going on with dogs. It gives them very bad diarrhea. You might want your vet to check into that.

digits mama · 09-18-2009, 11:36 AM

I have known older dogs to get Parvo.. The ones who were never vaccinated for it. I hope your pup gets to feeling better soon..

minpinmom · 09-19-2009, 06:59 AM

Thanks for the replies. Littlebit is doing much better this morning. It's amazing how quick they can get to feeling better. She started eating soft food yesterday afternoon and this morning has been outside sniffing under bushes again. I can finally relax now that the worse is over.

Banditsmom..the rattle snake was 5 foot in length and fat! 4 rattles and a button, probably weighed as much as Littlebit. Anyway, it got her about 3/4 of an inch below her left ear on her neck. It all happened so fast..I was right there but could not do a thing as I was on one side of the fence and she and the snake on the other. Littlebit has always been hard headed (a trait of Minpins) and when she's curious there's no possiblility of her listening. Actually the males listen better. I also have Buddy and Repo.
I didn't have a fenced in yard either when I got my first Minpin, Pepper. I learned a hard lesson from that and now have my entire back yard fenced in. It doesn't remove all dangers but at least I know where they are at all times. With dogs such as Minpins, terriers, jack russels..all overly hyper dogs..they need an area to work off all that energy. My pins have managed to escape before and has traveled miles before being found. I've got stories to tell on that subject but I've rattled on already. I wish you luck at finding the right mate for Bandit..you can't go wrong on either breed. They're both an exceptional breed and full of love and companionship.

Bandits_mom · 09-19-2009, 09:00 AM

Im so glad she is getting better!!!! We havent fenced in our yard yet, but were working on it. We have been lucky to not have seen any snakes this year, i know that dont mean they arent around the house. But yea they all have a lot of energy. I have a jack russell with picapoo mixed in, and he is all energy but he stays at my moms because he gets sick from being away from my moms dog, missi, its amazing they get so use to stuff and cant be away from it.