Snake Kit?

[surfj9009]

Well, I think I should probably have a snake kit in my pack for the pup to go along with our standard first aid kit. I have not seen a lot of information on these though.

What do you guys carry for a snake kit? Is there something I need to get from the vet? A shot or specific product name? I have not seen anything at Lion Country Supply or Cabelas. I am new to the hunting dog game and could use the guidance of those more experienced than me.
Would you all mind sharing what your "snake kit" consists of?

Thanks

[ICEMAN]

surf, I do not have dogs in the field, but carry a Sawyer Extractor kit for snake bite. Carry one in my pack when in snake country and one in the rig.... I do know that those old "cutter" style egg shaped kits should be tossed in the trash. Check out a Sawyer Extractor at Wallmart, I think around 13$...

[TEX-X]

i worked for a vet for 5 years....he helped me put my kit together...mind you this is a texas snake kit so its geared for rattlesnakes....but it works...

1 bottle of DMSO with dauber
pair of latex gloves (because the DMSO will actually put a bad flavor in your mouth if you get it on your skin)
1 bottle betadine soap
1 pair of battery clippers
couple of 10 CC syringes with 16 gauge needles
1 bottle of Dexamethasone
assorted gauze

i'm not a vet...but had a dog bit some years ago by a diamond back...we were about 5 hours from town... i shaved the bite, washed it with betadine, gave him a shot of dex,  repeatedly punctured the area with a needle and then swabbed the DMSO on it...  he lived many years after that....

[surfj9009]

Good info here.


Is this a duplicate item on you list, or do you carry two bottles:?
"1 bottle of Dexamethasone" and "1 bottle DMSO with dauber"

I am confused. Are these seperate items? These are things I need to get from our vet?
Thanks for all the help BTW.

[TEX-X]

no DMSO and Dexamethasone are two different things...  yes you have to get them from a vet... Dex is an injectable clear liquid.  DMSO you can buy by the gallon jug....the vet i worked for we had smaller amounts of it in bottles with daubers... it's injectable but i just swab it on the area...

DMSO: basically reduces inflammation...scavenges free radicals...helps with pain... and helps to protect cells...

DEX: is a steroid... it acts as an anti-inflammatory and an immunosuppressant

DMSO can be bought off the internet...DEX you'll have to get it from a vet...  i carried around a 100 CC bottle...

[TEX-X]

Red rock biologics came out with a rattlesnake vaccination....kinda like the rabies, parvo, distemper, corona vaccine... two shots the first year....and a booster each year after... i haven't heard any reviews on it...but it might be something to look into

[Shannon]

We just got back from a trip to Montana where a dog got bit. The vet gave us a lot of info. My dog is vaccinated but the dog that got bit was not. The vet said he recommends all dogs get vaccinated. He also said the shot is only good for about 7 months so he recommended getting the shot by March or April so the dog is covered. He said it buys more time for the dog to get to a vet basically. Instead of 1-2 hours it gives you 5-6 and the the reaction is lessened. He said a bite to a vain and the dog will die no matter what in a matter of minutes. The dog that got bit was fine after 2 days. He was really swollen but he wanted to hunt. We didn't let him but he wanted to.

[surfj9009]

He said a bite to a vain and the dog will die no matter what in a matter of minutes.

I figured this was the case. I would still like to get my dog to a snake-breaking clinic someday. Couldn't imagine losing her. 

I have to find a snake braking class somewhere. If anybody has any information on one please let me know.

I appreciate all the help so far. I am gonna stop by the vet tomorrow and see if I can get hooked up with some of this stuff.

[Shannon]

Pacific Northwest Chapter of NAVHDA has a snake clinic every year. They just had one in September but will have one again next year. Check there website in the spring and a date should be set.

[surfj9009]

no DMSO and Dexamethasone are two different things...  yes you have to get them from a vet... Dex is an injectable clear liquid.  DMSO you can buy by the gallon jug....the vet i worked for we had smaller amounts of it in bottles with daubers... it's injectable but i just swab it on the area...

DMSO: basically reduces inflammation...scavenges free radicals...helps with pain... and helps to protect cells...

DEX: is a steroid... it acts as an anti-inflammatory and an immunosuppressant

DMSO can be bought off the internet...DEX you'll have to get it from a vet...  i carried around a 100 CC bottle...

TEX-X, so say I have these items in hand. What is the proper procedure for treatment with them if my dog gets bitten?

[TEX-X]

Now i'm not a vet...but my dogs grew up in west TX.... and we have alot of rattlesnakes..I've dealt with a few snake bites on dogs and horses...ALOT  Shave the area,  scrub down with the betadine,  give the dog a shot of DEX SUBCU  (talk to your vet to get the dosage for the weight of the dog...i use to have a cheat sheet but i lost it)  take a larger needle and puncture the bite area many many times to allow any fluid to escape..  coat the wound with DMSO 2 to 3 times a day....  This method also works on horses....  But i like to also give horses some banamine paste...  in severe cases i've also seen the vet i worked for inject DMSO into the dog... but consult with a vet before doing so...  Some snakes throw alot hotter venom than others... most of my pups that have been bitten i treated this way and i did not have to take to the vet...just be sure to give them as much water as they want to drink.... and bed rest (might be a good idea to line they're kennel with newspaper....or if they are in a concrete dog run...wash it down several times a day....  and if in doubt run the dog to a vet...

as far as snake clinics....we use to just catch rattlesnakes.... and pull they're fangs out..(well an old rancher down the road did).. let the dog around them and if they get close correct them with an electronic collar...it only takes a few times and the dogs will stear clear of snakes....

[surfj9009]

Thanks for the help guys.