My dog was bitten by an adder

F

Frankie doodle dandy

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 February 2013
Messages
70
Location
Devon
Visit site
Just to let people know the adders are out in force and vicious. My dog is absolutely fine having spent the last 48 hrs on a drip with anti venom and I was very lucky to get her to the vets quickly.
 
oh no! builders digging out for our new patio found a baby adder last week. of course if there is a baby one, there are probably more around somewhere! it's not something I had ever thought about before.

hope your poor dog is ok.
 
Roe my 2yr lab is absolutely fine, thankfully. I didn't see her get bitten or hear her yelp but we were walking back along the beach and she was walking very slowly and wouldn't quicken when I called her - she looked very subdued and was shaking and all tucked up. Coz we had just come off the dunes it made sense that she had been bitten - her natural instinct was to lower her pulse to slow the poison getting round her body, which was why she was so slow - luckily I knew about this, so I carried her off the beach and straight to the vets. We didn't see the fang marks until her foot swelled and her fur was shaved off. Speaking to the nurse at the vets some dogs respond differently, I'm just grateful Roe made it so obvious straight away!!
 
Highlands said:
Poor dog, wonder if it was cranky after hibernating. They don't normally attack unless trod on.
Click to expand...

Yep - She trod on it! Think they've had such a long winter, it wasn't very happy to be awake and cold! We're getting more and more adder attacks, last year 2 dogs died. The adder is very territorial and because they are protected they're rife here, taking over and getting very brave....
 
Whereabouts did this end please? I know there are adders on Leiston beach in Suffolk... good to know Roe has made a full recovery. This time of year, I carry Piriton on me, so I can give a pill to my dogs if they get bitten by an adder.
 
Purdey got bitten last year, luckily mid season so venom weaker. Hope Roe is OK, poor girl. It took Pur a while (several weeks) to get back to full energy levels, seemed to affect her stamina as well.
 
glad your dog is ok, that must have been scary

may be worth you all checking with your vets about giving piriton (it does sound a sensible thing to do) as it may affect the drugs they can use when you arrive at the vets. also check the dosage as i am pretty sure it should be given according to weight
 
I would give one tablet to a medium sized dog, just to slow down the effect of the venom as I got the dog to the vet. Interestingly, I don't think all vets carry the antidote for adder venom. I think because it is expensive and possibly has a short shelf life. Perhaps any vets on here can confirm this???
 
You're right Superhot, my vets only started supplying anti venom 2 years ago, I had to sign a few forms before they administered it, apparently this is because it hasn't been fully tested on dogs yet. As for the price - I haven't received my bill yet and will let you know when I do - gulp!
The main thing is, she's completely back to normal. I own her mum (Tess) and helped Tess deliver Roe when she was born, so we are all very close and they are both very much part of my family - darn snakes!
 
Frankie doodle dandy said:
It was on putsborough beach (woolacombe) in north Devon. I have piriton in my car but unfortunately I drove my husbands van that day!
Click to expand...


I know Putsborough well! I think there are warnings on the cliff about adders, but of course our dogs can't read and it's lovely to allow them to have a good old mosey around. Next time we are staying down there we will make sure we have Piriton on us. Mine are voracious hunters and will pounce on anything they see.
 
48hrs on a drip including part of a sunday and anti venom- is that right?

if it is i would say £370 is cheap-i dread to think what your vet is charged for anti venom as i believe it has a relatively short shelf life, where i work we have a massive common on our doorstep ans we dont stock anti venom as it is very very rarely needed
 
The anti venom was £145 alone. Jools do you know why it is £45 for set up charge for a drip? We definitely need anti venom here - 2 more dogs (that I know of) have been bitten since..
 
Frankie doodle dandy said:
Jools do you know why it is £45 for set up charge for a drip?
Click to expand...

all i know is it requires 2 nurses, can take some time as when animals are ill veins can collapse, depending on how your vets charge that may include the equipment needed to set everything up, was it out of hours too? if so there will be and increased charge to cover out of hours wages-not sure what we charge at work
 
Our set up fee is about £25,this includes, setting the drip up, preping patient and placement of catheter and connecting to drip (2 staff required), bandaging, tape, disposal of clinical waste and sharps. This doesnt include bag of fluid, giving set or catheter as these all vary in size and type per patient so added on extra. Did the £45 include everything or was that just the set up?

We dont stock anti venon but in 30 years the practice has never needed it and its expensive with a short expiry. Unfortunately we cant stock everything.

xxx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top