Snake Bite: My dog. Part 3

Part 1
Part 2
I got to see Elle this morning. She was not happy that she couldn’t go home with me. She is strong and alert but my vet seems to be quite concerned and does not want me to be overly optimistic. When my vet is concerned, I’m panicked.

My vet is thinking rat poisoning but I don’t use rat poisoning. There was some down in several places when I moved in my house 11 years ago but I cleaned it all up. I suppose it is possible that I missed some but it would be 11+ years old.

I am certain it was a snake. What’s happening with her is consistent with the information I find on snake bites.

Basic signs like pain, swelling and bleeding, along with more complicated reactions such as ecchymosis (purple discoloration), necrosis (tissue dies and turns black), low blood pressure, and tingling of lips and tongue give medical professionals clues to the seriousness of bites and what treatment route they should take.

Her leg and belly turned purplish black. My vet opened her up so it could drain. She has lost a lot of watery blood. The swelling has moved up her underside. Her gums are pale.

My vet is giving her vitamin K, and a broad spectrum antibiotic.

I called the county extension agent and he said that he, personally, has seen velvet tailed rattlesnakes in my area and that we also have diamond backs and copperheads. I’ve seen a bunch of copperheads but she recovered quickly with oral Benedryl when she was bitten previously by what I assumed was a copperhead.

Very tense at my house. We miss her every moment. It’s hard to type without that furry growth in my lap.

Part 4