I had a dog struck in the jaw by a rattlesnake.A bigger dog, about 45 lbs, but she survived with antibiotics and benedryl. I was on the phone with my vet immediately and had antibiotics on had for the horses. She swelled up big, but eventually the swelling went down and she was fine in the end.
StG
Took him outside to go potty. He kind of tottered around the yard for a while very slowly, but managed a few wags of the tail now and then. Brought him in and gave him a piece of cheese for a snack. He’s resting now, face swollen up like a soft-ball. I’ll update later. I think he’s gonna live.
In unrelated news, I went to fire up the big Ford Pick-up, and the cat was in the belts. Didn’t kill her, but it caused the belt to come off, and I missed my appointment this morning because of it. What a 24 hours!
Who can recommend a solution to put the snake head and rattle in? Some kind of alcohol?
Advice seems to be to minimize activity as much as possible, not only immediately but for days.
Glad the cat survived! is she injured?
Doxie Dog don’t give a shit!
Unknown. She bolted and took off across the yard, disappeared somewhere. I will probably never know. This is not a cat that I interact with. I feed it (meaning I leave food out for her in her shed), and see it every few days maybe, but that’s about it. This cat is nearly indestructable as well as Doxie. She has used up at least 7 of the 9 lives and keeps on ticking Coyotes have killed countless other cats over the years, or they just go missing, but this one Endeavers To Persevere.
I’ve got 20 cars in the yard, and she picks the one farthest from her house, and the only one I was going to start this morning. I’m begining to think The Cosmos does not want me to have this firewood.
If she’s hurt, that food (and presumably water) may save her, by giving her time to heal during which she can stay in a safe place and not have to hunt.
You be careful! don’t want you to be the third creature who has a run in with something, while you’re distracted thinking of Doxie.
Man, as a long time doxie lover and mom, this is tearing me up. Long live Doxie Dog!!!
This is why the AKC breed description for dachshunds includes this phrase: “bold to the point of rashness.”
Maybe you can make one out of that snake skin.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
Meanwhile here’s my dog at death’s door success story. Sometimes things work out.
Update: Dog is resting reasonably comfortable. He’s in the bathtub with a nice bed and blanket, undisturbed by the rest of the Crew.
Cat is in her shed, fresh can of food. Only injury I saw was about half the fir was torn off her right ear. I didn’t inspect her further than that. All limbs seem to be in place.
I am so happy to hear this!
How old is Doxie, and where (roughly) geographically did the encounter happen?
He is looking kind of bad this afternoon. I took the rest of the crew out (didn’t start the Jeep, he knows that sound and would have been heart-broken to be left behind). I tried to pick him up to take him out to Do HIs Duty, but he cried.
So, I dosed him again with Beny, and fed him him and he stood up and ate. Even managed a wag or two when I talked to him. But, Jeez, his head is swollen up like a grapefruit. Thank god Dachshunds have a loose, baggy skin. I’m going back to worrying about him.
About 5" off the ground, far West Great Basin. Rocks and pokey bushes. 20 feet from where I was a’standin’
Age? Don’t know, but he’s got to be pushin’ between 16-19yo. And those are People Years!
Why don’t you take him in??? Are you just going to wait and hope he survives?
Get as much liquid in him as you can; and don’t let him move around much even if he wants to.
Thanks for the updates; and glad the cat seems to be OK and to have taken refuge where she too can rest if needed.
I second the vet visit. No reason for him to suffer.
StG
Well, been down this road before. The ‘Anti-Venom’ is cost-ridiculous, and past experiance says he should be okay. I know. It sucks. I texted the wife (he is her dog) and she says just treat him with Benydryl. We’ll see.
I mean, shit. What the hell? It’s an hour to the vet and they ain’t gonna do nothing for him anyway. This just plain sucks, but …
I remember driving him home when we first picked him up. He whined and cried all the way. Pissed me right off, he did! Then he was ‘food agressive’.
But he turned out to be the Best Dog Ever. And such bad luck with his life. Wife ran him over, got attacked, and attacked (I know he saved the life of Trixie and probably Ted by going after the bastards) coyotes, went crippled and recovered.
This is a dog for the ages. I’m keeping an eye on him tonight.
D was the dog I ‘trained’ to run along with the Jeep. He was too fast for me on a bike or on foot, so I drove the Jeep and he ran along, or in front. He learned all the dirt trails and roads.
Then when the wife dragged home Dixie, he taught her the routine. Then the pups came, and they all learned, in turn. Teddy came home like the Prodigal Son, and he learned. Had to get a ‘new’ Jeep when the '73 transmission went out.
And now I have HIckory, With The Golden Ass, and she has been schooled by Doxie on the proper Crew behavior.
Damn. Even if he lives, he’s close to the end, and this is going to suck. Maybe I’ll dig a huge hole and bury him in the '73 Jeep.
Nah. It’s worth a few Grand. Even not running. (just trying to stay focused on Dog Duty)