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Snake Bite

Category: Dogs, Life of a Vet | Date: Dec 06 2007 | By: admin

My Jack Russell Terrier, Yamato, killed a snake this morning. I was not so sure what type it was as I am no expert on snakes and my worker threw the snake before I could see it. It was green and maybe 40cm long. Just before she bit off the head of the snake, it bit her lip in retaliation. Within 10 minutes, her face started to swell badly.

yamatobite1.jpg

I treated her symptomatically, but I was worried all morning since I did not know whether the snake was venomous or not. Now she is alert and moving around, but she is in obvious pain as she cannot even sleep with her head down.

yamatobite2.jpg
I hope she learns a lesson not to mess around with African snakes…

14 Responses to “Snake Bite”

Kyoungryoon Jung, on 06 Dec 2007

Oh, poor dog. Hope she gets well soon.

Dana-Arizona, on 06 Dec 2007

Oh, so sorry Asuka and poor Yamato. Hopefully with him being alert and moving around the poision will work it’s way out? Is he eating? I know how much you love the little guy.

Dana-Arizona, on 06 Dec 2007

Oh, so sorry Asuka and poor Yamato. Hopefully with her being alert and moving around the poision will work it’s way out? Is she eating? I know how much you love her.

Dana-Arizona, on 06 Dec 2007

Oops, I thought Yamato was a guy and then re-read the post and he’s a she. No matter, just that SHE gets better very soon.

Christine C., on 06 Dec 2007

Oh, poor baby!! Please keep us posted on her condition…I imagine she must be in the clear as I thought snake venom works its way through the system very, very quickly. Maybe the people who do the snake blog on WD can give you some advice?

Sheryl, Washington, DC, on 06 Dec 2007

Good grief! I hope your sweet puppy is better soon. I agree with Christine, try the people over at Saving Snakes for advice.

s.

Lisa, California, on 06 Dec 2007

Poor little baby. She looks miserable. I hope she feels better soon. Lisa

Royjan Taylor, on 06 Dec 2007

Sorry for this. It is most likely that your JR was bitten by a Velvet Green Night Adder - Causus resimus. You have done the right thing. It is not uaually too serious a bite in adult humans but may be tough on small dogs. No antivenom is produced so is treated symtomaticaly. Give the dog lots of water to drink. Contact me on 0733 290324 and I can advise further. We have 5 JR’s at home so my heart goes out to you. I do hope she makes it.

Pam/Shell Beach CA, on 06 Dec 2007

Brave little Yamato. Hope she gets better soon. Please keep us updated on her condition.

asuka, on 07 Dec 2007

Thank you everybody for worrying about my dog! She was in serious pain, some what disorientated initially, but now back to normal. The swelling has gone done greatly and she is back chasing lizard… I guess she did not learn her lesson at all… Now my gardener is clearing out the thick bushes inside the compound so it is less welcome for snakes.

Royjan, is it ok for me to keep your phone in case of snake bite emergency? Which snakes in Kenya has readily available antivenom on market? It seems like good idea for me to stock some in my house as I live in snake country…

Lisa, California, on 07 Dec 2007

So glad to hear that Yamato is feeling better and back to chasing lizards. Maybe she’ll just stick to chasing lizards. There are no poisioness lizards in Africa are there? Lisa

Jasmine, on 07 Dec 2007

Mann u guys r so cool, i wannab a vet wen i grow ^.

Wanda, Atlanta, on 07 Dec 2007

Yeah for you Vets and Vets to be!

Royjan Taylor, on 11 Dec 2007

My mobile is an emergency snakebite number anyway. Call me and we can discuss antivenom.

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