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SNAKE BITES

On August 7 and again on August 9, 2001, we had two dogs bitten by a Copperhead snake. The first dog that was bitten was an 81-pound, 11-month old Shiloh Shepherd named Chili. The second dog was a 31-pound, 6-year old Shetland Sheepdog named Rebalyn. Our kennel is in a remote area of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, at least an hour from any emergency veterinarian services. As luck would have it, I was the only person at home when Chili was bitten.

Occurring at dusk, the bite to Chili was nearly fatal. Her reaction included an immediate and total collapse with loss of all muscle control. Being alone, I was unable to lift her into a vehicle to make the hour-long trip to the emergency vet. A wonderful vet on duty at Virginia's Veterinary Referral and Critical Care Center spent several hours on the telephone talking me through emergency treatment for Chili.

• Based on the rate of swelling over a 10-hour period, beginning with when I first found Chili, we estimate that the bite had occurred within 15 minutes of my finding her. Her symptoms included a total inability to coordinate and control her muscles. She could neither walk nor stand. She was able to crawl into the house from our fenced compound only with my help. The medical term for this is ataxia.
• A physical examination revealed two things: a lump about the size of a small, halved cherry tomato on her muzzle and two jagged cuts about an inch apart, with one of the cuts being in the middle of the lump. The cuts were oozing a bloody fluid. The area was extremely sensitive and quickly began swelling. The swelling continued to worsen over the next 14 hours and eventually included her entire muzzle.
• Vital signs that I knew to check were normal and are as follows: mucous membranes in her mouth were a healthy pink, her pupils responded equally to light, she responded to pain when the web between her foot pads was pinched, her temperature was normal, and she was alert, i. e., when her name was called she immediately tried to lift her head.
• During the first three hours, she refused water. After the first three hours, she took water and slowly regained limited muscle control. While she responded to the scent of food she showed no interest in eating.
• When I first discovered Chili I had no idea what was wrong. Even after noting the lump on her muzzle the possibility of a snakebite didn't register. It seemed that the lump with gashes had to be connected to the ataxia as it wasn't logical that the two symptoms were caused by separate events. After ruling out poisonous bug bites (the gashes were too large) and other, irrational thoughts, like a "bad" bird, the most parsimonious conclusion was a snakebite. Chili, upon examination by her regular vet when they opened the next day, was found to have heart arrhythmias. This problem resolved itself in about 48 hours as the venom toxins left her system. For over a week later, Chili still exhibited mild ataxia in her hindquarters. Sloughing of the skin in the area of the bite dod not occur.

With Rebalyn, we saw the snake strike her. While I administered first aid (see "Do's," below), my husband, the hero, killed the snake with a machete then drove Rebalyn to the emergency vet. Rebalyn's reaction was far less severe than Chili's despite the fact that she weighs 50 pounds less than Chili. We believe that the bite would have killed Rebalyn had the snake not emptied its venom sacks on Chili about 48 hours before biting Reba.

Upon relating the experience to fellow dog owners, all have wanted to know what we did and what they need to know if caught in the same situation. The following is what I've learned from the experience.

Emergency First Aid

The following suggestions are offered based on our kennel's experience of having an 81-pound Shiloh Shepherd (Chili) bitten by a Copperhead and two days later having a 31-pound Shetland Sheepdog (Rebalyn) bitten by a Copperhead. I was unable to get the Shiloh Shepherd to a vet until the next morning. An emergency vet talked me through the First Aid procedures.

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"Do's"

• Remain calm. Do everything possible to keep your pet calm and quiet. Excitement and activity cause the venom to be circulated more rapidly through the victims system. Obviously, the calmer and quieter you are the calmer and quieter the victim also will be.
• Call a veterinarian. Tell the vet what medications you have on hand: antibiotics, prednisone, Benadryl, etc. (If we hadn't had Benadryl on hand, the vet advised that I administer 40mg of prednisone. However, Benadryl was the vet's first choice and much easier to have on hand.)
• Administer Benadryl. The proper dosage is 1mg/pound.
• Clean the wound with an antibacterial solution. Be gentle, the bite site will be extremely painful.
• Administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic. For the Shiloh, I gave 1000mg of amoxicillin. For the Sheltie, I administered 500mg of amoxicillin.
• Loosen or remove the victim's collar. If the bite is the head or neck area, the extreme swelling (which occurs quickly) could cause strangulation from the collar.
• Encourage the victim to take fluids.
• Keep the victim warm if "shocky."

"Don'ts"
The "don'ts" listed below represent the most recent advice and thinking. As with any emergency medical procedure, you should make every attempt to stay abreast of the most current information. The information in this document was written August 11, 2001. I found many web sites that continue to recommend performing some of the "don'ts" listed below: ·

• Don't apply ice. The most recent thinking on the use of ice for snakebites is that while ice will aid in controlling swelling, it also slows circulation of the body's chemical defenses to the affected area. Additionally, applied incorrectly, ice can further damage the already traumatized tissue. ·
• Don't cut a "X" across the puncture wound and attempt to suck out the venom. The cut further damages the injured tissue. Additionally, while venom is not harmful if digested, its absorption via the membranes in the mouth may envenommate the person trying to suck the venom from the wound. Special suction cup devices are available, but are reported to be of minimal effectiveness.
• Don't apply a tourniquet unless you are experienced in the use of this highly risky procedure.
• Don't attempt to apply electrical shock to the affected area. You will read much online about how electrical shock somehow reverses the chemical polarity of the venom. No professional research data exist to support this claim.

General Information Re: Copperhead & Timber Rattlesnake Bites
The following information was provided by the emergency veterinarian who attended Rebalyn. While it was written for pets in the Central Virginia area, it is applicable to anyone whose pet(s) may be exposed to Copperheads or Timber Rattlesnakes.

"In Central Virginia, there are only two varieties of poisonous snakes: Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes. Both belong to the Pit Viper Family and have similar venom. Drop for drop, Copperhead venom is much less toxic than Rattlesnake venom. HOWEVER, there is no reliable way to tell HOW MUCH venom is transferred in any given bite, or how vulnerable any individual is to the toxin. While the vast majority of the bites are Copperhead bites, one must remember that a large quantity of Copperhead venom in a sensitive victim can have more serious consequences than a small amount of Rattlesnake venom in a resistant individual.

The effects of a poisonous snakebite are best understood in terms of the time frame as it relates to the components of pit viper venom. Venom is essentially made up of proteins that are designed to kill and essentially "pre-digest" the snake's prey.

1. Neurotoxins - These are responsible for the immediate effects. They enter the body's circulation shortly after the bite (less than 10 minutes) and affect the central nervous system. They can cause collapse, nausea, blurred vision, loss of blood pressure, shock and death. Generally , if these symptoms are not seen within an hour after the bite, they will not occur.

2. Hemotoxins - As the name implies, these proteins kill blood components and cells. As the cells in the immediate vicinity of the bite swell and rupture, one will see heavy swelling typically associated with poisonous snakebite. Within the first one to two hours, massive swelling may make a leg appear fractured or distort a face so that breathing becomes difficult. The bite area is also extremely painful and the victim may seem lethargic and miserable. Injections of steroids and anti-inflammatories administered by the vet will help to limit the swelling and provide some pain relief.

After a few hours, swelling has peaked, and dark red or purple bruising may become visible on the skin or inside the upper lips (if the muzzle was bitten). A black-red fluid may ooze from the punctures unless swelling closes them. This is further evidence of cell destruction that has taken place. Any areas of heavy bruising should be watched carefully for the first week as they may actually be so devitalized that the area will slough.

3. Bacteria - Snake teeth are filthy and the region of damaged cells provides an excellent place for infection. Antibiotics supplied by your vet should prevent this, but be alert for any signs of abcessing over the first 3 to 5 days. Loss of appetite, unusual discharge and increasing lethargy are all symptoms that should prompt you to call your vet.

4. Delayed Effects of Hemotoxins - These are rare but can be serious. First, as mentioned above, the region of the bite may be so damaged that it will slough or peel off like a large scab. If this happens, it will occur between 5 and 7 days. As a rule, it appears far more frightening than it really is as new tissue is already growing beneath the slough. Little can be done to prevent this, but your vet should be notified.

Second, your pet may develop a clotting problem caused by damage to blood vessel walls and platelets. Be alert for any bleeding whose source is unknown. The first symptoms of this are usually small, red, speckles on the inner lips or gums, inside the ears, or any place where white or light pink skin is visible. This syndrome, called DIC, is VERY SERIOUS if it occurs, but is very rare. Most, if not all, of the consequences of poisonous snakebite will be seen within a week.

Most dogs do not experience the more serious consequences if appropriate veterinary care is given."

©Diane McClure, Raid The Wind Kennels, LLC 11/13/01