'Snake Bite?'

Angels Mom (24.178.110.185) -

I am trying to find info about dogs with snake bites. About 2 weeks ago my rottie came in from out in the yard limping. I didn't see anything wrong with her foot and I just assumed she had hurt her paw playing through the fence with the dog next door.

The next day it was swollen and continued to get worse over the next few days. I ended up taking her to the vet who said she thought it was either a snake bite or a spider bite.

There is a hard lump about the size of a cherry tomato underneath her front left inside toenail, it is red/purple & shiny and apparently very painful, she won't walk on it, but it has very little infection (Vet aspirated it) The vet gave her cephalexin to take for 10 days but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's been over a week on the antibotic and I don't see any improvement. Is there any other diagnosis/treatment I should consider or are snake bites just slow to heal.

She is 10 years old, but in excellent health other than the foot issue.

Comment #1 Genna (98.18.128.142) -

Where do you live? When I was 3 years old I was bit by a Brown Recluse (common in Georgia). The doctor said the same thing- either snake or spider bite. Even though I was only three I still vaguely remember my arm being VERY swollen and purple. I know that dogs and humans are different but this might help.

My mother went to an herbal store and bought an herb called Slippery Elm. It comes in a pill form in a clear capsule with what looks like a brownish powder inside. This can either be ingested or put directly on the bite. I recommend doing what my mother did for me:

Take out 1-2 capsules depending on how much you think you will need to cover the bite area. Break it open in a bowl and drop the powder in (discard clear outside part) then mix with a small amount of warm water until the powder turns into a paste like consistency. Put this directly on the bite wound and cover with a bandage. This will LITERALLY suck out whatever venom is still inside the bite wound. Change after an hour or so and repeat as often as needed.

I myself swear by the stuff because I was not getting better from the medicine the doctor was giving me and after my mother treated me with Slippery Elm I was COMPLETELY healed. The doctor was baffled. I carried a scar for half of my life but now even that is gone.

If you are still looking for something to help your dog then I hope that this does.

Comment #2 Dean Don (63.176.159.225) -

Have you tried consulting another veterinarian for your dog? A second opinion might not hurt, if you really are worried and love your dog then you'll go an extra mile for him in order for your beloved pet to be fully healed. What is alarming though that there are local snakes in your backyard which can also endanger any of your family. I suggest you also consult an exterminator or pest control in order to avoid this from happening again.

Comment #3 cassandra mcdonald (69.8.46.226) -

i think my dog got bit by a baby copperhaed what should i do?

Comment #4 Vada (151.102.241.101) -

We were walking through the woods last night, and our black lab Lee got biten by a copper head, his leg was swelling fast, but we took to an emergency vet, in which they all know that they will charge a bundle, but they can only give a antivenum 4 hours prior. They wanted to keep him over night, but we felt that we could take care of him better, but we did get antibotics and predisone for the swelling. So cross you fingers and pray, he is a very strong dog, and he weighs 61 pds @ 7 months, so his weight is a good one on his side.

Comment #5 Lynn (64.12.116.9) -

VADA-- How is Lee doing? I think my dog has been bit, but can't find puntures !!!

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