The American Beagler Forum

I've been running all summer with no snake problems at all. Well tonight my worst nightmare happened, my favorite dog, Honky got bit on the rear leg. I hope he pulls threw, I don't think I could replace him!

A little dex soon after a bite and they are not a big deal as long as you dont run into rattlers

I'm pretty sure it was a Rattle snake, the fang marks were about an inch apart, could have been a Cottonmouth, but not much water where we were running. Update on Honky, the swelling has subsided somewhat and he is starting to put some pressure on his leg. He is still very sluggish acting but making minimal improvements. I'm pumping Amoxicillian and Benadryal in him twice a day. I dont think he's out of trouble yet but I remain hopefull that he'll pull through.

Ty I sure hope he comes along O.K., sure would hate to see you lose a good one.

Thanks Bobby! Pm me your new cell # again I lost it.

My youngest female got bit Wednesday morning. One fang under the chin by a copperhead I think. She never got down too bad. She had a hard, fist sized knot that evening. She ate well but threw it all up after about 30 minutes. So, I gave her another Benadryl thinking she had lost the previous one. On Thursday, the swelling was going down and spreading out so I put her collar back on. Friday, you could not tell anything was ever wrong with her. Today, I checked and could not even find the fang mark. That was about as well as it ever goes so I was pleased! If the swelling is subsiding, yours should be okay in a few days. Most that die from the venom or shock do so quickly. After 24 hours, the biggest concern is the possibility of infection or tissue loss. If yours was a rattlesnake it was a light hit as it often takes 5 to 7 days for the swelling to subside. The worst non-fatal case I experienced was a female bitten twice in the back leg - one high and one low. The lower wound healed but the bite area turned black and the hair never grew back. The upper wound drained for about a week and the dog chewed off a large patch of hide. I kept her in a brooder and gave her antibotics until the wound healed. Today, she is fine and still a fair rabbit dog with no lameness in that leg. Good luck to you and your hound!

Ty I sure hope Honky comes out Ok I`ve got a female I might want to breed to him later on She is his half sister.

Hope he's doing better today . Things like this sometimes makes us aware of
how much our lil buddies really mean to us .

Best of luck ,

Man I was really nervous about losing my buddy Honky, but luckily after 3 long days he was back up on his feet. I knew he was fine when he I got home and he was barking at me to feed him . Lonnie sounds like a good breeding, let me know when your ready. He has produced some great looking pups over this summer, I'm really looking forward to getting them started in a few months.