Snakes Alive!

[SavageSun4x4]

Yep! Its that time of the year that snakes are looking to stay warm and are starting to move around for the winter.

While on a short hike behind our house, our dog, a ‘wiener’ dog weighing in at 14 lbs stuck her head into a clump of grass along the trail. The result was a Rattlesnake bite with fang marks on her shoulder 1 1/4” wide. As the vet said ‘one hellva of rattlesnake’ and I said, ‘yea and one hellva of vet bill’. Things were touch and go for better part of a week, but she pulled thru. It has taken her almost 3 weeks to get back to her old self.

What pulled her thru was the fact that we had recently had her Rattlesnake vaccine shots and the booster. Had it not been for that, she would not have lived the nite thru. In spite of that, she still needed 7 vials of anti-venom the first 24 hours and spent a week in intensive care at the vets.

However there are 2 things you can do:

1) Rattlesnake vaccine: Its given in several places here in the valley and its very inexpensive. Please contact your vet or call. Noah’s Ark Mobile Clinic or the vaccine clinics, Dr. Pitman at 480-585-NOAH (6624).

2) There is also Rattlesnake aversion training, I know of two places that do this. Ann Austin (480-488-1588) is in Carefree. Partners dog training facility in Cave Creek (480-5956700) also offers snake training. The rate for training is about $40 to $50.

[jeepin_in_az]

Holy crap Don!! :eek:

Glad hear your wiener is ok though!! :eek: :D

[paparonbo]

I've heard of the rattlesnake aversion training before, but I didn't know if she was still doing it. Sounds like money well spent to me.

Ron
00 XJ
87 Xj
03 Yellow Lab

[Quasimotor]

Ouch! I can't even begine to imagine what a bite to the "wiener" must feel like.:eek: Glad your wiener is safe and thanks for the tip.
Jim

[xFallen]

Ouch! I can't even begine to imagine what a bite to the "wiener" must feel like.:eek: Glad your wiener is safe and thanks for the tip.
Jim

Uhhh..."tip"? :confused: :eek:

This thread is deteriorating rapidly. :rolleyes:

[Antman]

Ouch! I can't even begine to imagine what a bite to the "wiener" must feel like.:eek: Glad your wiener is safe and thanks for the tip.
Jim


I must make a comment here!:D

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1974&d=1124581695


Sorry Don about your wiener.:eek: Glad its ok now.:)

[DsrtJeeper]

Thought number 1: 14 lb weiner???

Thought number 2: Why was her head poking around in the "Grass?" :eek:

OK.....I'm banned for life!

[Jeeppeepin]

Hey- I just read your post today and found it quite interesting.
I work at an emergeny clinic for animals, and have wondered how the new
rattlesnake vaccine worked. I am still feeling old school, and feel like it is not possible to vaccinate against venom. Kind of like trying to vaccinate against a car accident. Viruses and bacteria, yes, but venom, I just don't know.
The thing that made me wonder the most is-- 7 vials of anti-venom??:eek: :confused:
I see about 1-3 snakebites a night sometimes. And I have Never used more than 3, even on a chihuahua. Those bottles don't come cheap. About $4-500 each at cost. (Mind you, I am not a Veterinarian)
Anyways, snake aversion is definately the best route to go. I personally reccomend Ann Austin. She and her husband, who is a Vet, do a great job!
But if you have a Jack Russell Terrier, forget it. They are too obstinate.;)

Glad to hear your little Noodle Dog pulled through!

Rachel

[My1stJeep]

Thanks for the heads up Don, glad to hear your weiner pulled through. :D

I think I will have to get my new mutts to attend that training, will be money well spent.

[SavageSun4x4]

Hey- I just read your post today and found it quite interesting.
I work at an emergeny clinic for animals, and have wondered how the new
rattlesnake vaccine worked. I am still feeling old school, and feel like it is not possible to vaccinate against venom. Kind of like trying to vaccinate against a car accident. Viruses and bacteria, yes, but venom, I just don't know.
The thing that made me wonder the most is-- 7 vials of anti-venom??:eek: :confused:
I see about 1-3 snakebites a night sometimes. And I have Never used more than 3, even on a chihuahua. Those bottles don't come cheap. About $4-500 each at cost. (Mind you, I am not a Veterinarian)
Anyways, snake aversion is definately the best route to go. I personally reccomend Ann Austin. She and her husband, who is a Vet, do a great job!
But if you have a Jack Russell Terrier, forget it. They are too obstinate.;)

Glad to hear your little Noodle Dog pulled through!

Rachel

Like you I thought, "7 vials"! Yes it did seem like a lot, but I am not a vet. The vaccine shots were just complete about a month ago and I was under the impression she wouldn't need any or very little vaccine:confused: And, she was in the PV emergency vet office for a week. The vet did say, the snake was really big with fang marks 1 1/4" across in her shoulder. So maybe that had a lot to do with it. But she is back home and is just now starting to be back to herself.

Yes, we will be at Ann Austin's place tomorrow...

[cactuscatcher]

Off topic but it has peaked my curiosity; can people be vaccinated for poisons? Reason I ask is many years ago I got a nasty black widow bite and three years later a sidewinder got me on my calf. I thought I was well past those days then in August I got stung good by a scorpion while welding in the garage one night? The scorpion was small and tan and my heart felt as though it was going to come through my chest for about 45 minutes. If there is a "people" shot for it count me in .

[weasel_ugs]

Off topic but it has peaked my curiosity; can people be vaccinated for poisons? Reason I ask is many years ago I got a nasty black widow bite and three years later a sidewinder got me on my calf. I thought I was well past those days then in August I got stung good by a scorpion while welding in the garage one night? The scorpion was small and tan and my heart felt as though it was going to come through my chest for about 45 minutes. If there is a "people" shot for it count me in .

I have had to catch about 5 scorpions in my house this summer.The cat was playing with one and didnt get stung:confused: ,cant figure that one out. Don

[cactuscatcher]

Your cat is probably much smarter and much more agile than I am while rolling around on the crete under the Jeep. :D If I hadn't of seen him after he was squished from being pinned under me I would not have known what caused it.

[SavageSun4x4]

Off topic but it has peaked my curiosity; can people be vaccinated for poisons? Reason I ask is many years ago I got a nasty black widow bite and three years later a sidewinder got me on my calf. I thought I was well past those days then in August I got stung good by a scorpion while welding in the garage one night? The scorpion was small and tan and my heart felt as though it was going to come through my chest for about 45 minutes. If there is a "people" shot for it count me in .
Far as I know there is no such thing. HOWEVER, you can protect yourself against a specfic type of venom by injecting your self with increasing amounts of the stuff untill you get up to the level of a bite from that 'snake'. Very common with those who work with snakes on a daily basis.

I do know that as a kid I was always getting stung by wasp's and yellowjackets around the barn and out on the place cutting firewood n'such. After a few years of this it got to where they would sting me and it wasn't even a bump there afterwards and no effect at all. But beleive me it takes a LOT of stings to get to that point...:eek:

[Jeeppeepin]

Ya, not too sure about human vaccines.

But as far as scorpions are concerned, not a big deal with cats and dogs.
Most animals (except ferrets) don't react to scorpion stings. Some can be allergic to them, just as some people are allergic to bee stings where others aren't bothered.
It's still pretty painfull though.

Rachel

[cactuscatcher]

I do know that as a kid I was always getting stung by wasp's and yellowjackets around the barn and out on the place cutting firewood n'such. After a few years of this it got to where they would sting me and it wasn't even a bump there afterwards and no effect at all. But beleive me it takes a LOT of stings to get to that point...:eek:

Well I sure hope that I do not get to that point with the little fellas that hide around here anytime soon. ;) While not the worst thing to happen it left a red bump that took several days to go away.

[weasel_ugs]

Ya, not too sure about human vaccines.

But as far as scorpions are concerned, not a big deal with cats and dogs.
Most animals (except ferrets) don't react to scorpion stings. Some can be allergic to them, just as some people are allergic to bee stings where others aren't bothered.
It's still pretty painfull though.

Rachel
Uh oh I have ferrets too.Well hopefully the exterminator got rid of all of them varmints. Don

[Jeeppeepin]

Get rid of all scorpions in the house if you have little weasels running around!
The last one I saw that was stung by a scorpion barely made it. I sat with that little ferret all night long trying to keep him comfortable. He was seizuring and had projectile vomit episodes for hours.
I love those little guys!

[weasel_ugs]

With anything that bites or stings doesnt the size of the victim count on how bad the reaction is?I also heard that baby scorpions are worse because they havent learned to control the amount of venom given? Don

[Jeeppeepin]

Mostly true, but not always.
But with ferrets, any scorpion of any size/age has potential to fatally harm your little guy.
Snakes are also known to dole out large amounts of venom when they are young. Adult snakes know to save some for later, baby snakes "blow it all" in one shot.

[weasel_ugs]

Get rid of all scorpions in the house if you have little weasels running around! I love those little guys!

Get rid of the scorpions? But catching scorpions has become my new hobby:D . Don

[My1stJeep]

I know with snakes the adults have a poison sack and then a larger tank (for the lack of a better term), when they strike all the venom in that sack is transferred to the victim, them upon coiling more venom is filled into that sack from the tank. Kinda of like having a whole jar of venom, but just putting a syringe out at a time. Baby rattlers that sack is not there so when they bite it just keeps flowing.

Come to think of it I think it is called a Pouch, not a sack.

As for scorpions I don't know if the same is true, or if it just has to do with the type of scorpion.

[hydrotoys]

That's it!
You guys have scared the crap out of me.
I'm just staying at home!
:D

[Markos]

After having scroprians running around my sandals while camping, I think I may pick up a little black-light flashlight for 10 bucks.

http://brightworld.com/Cool/iCool/Blacklight_Flashlight_3019.jpg

http://www.desertusa.com/oct96/Scorp_uv.jpg

[Jeeppeepin]

I was stung by a scorpion on the leg while camping one night.
My leg hurt for hours!! But I lived to tell the tale...:cool:

Those black lights are pretty cool. The exoskeleton of the scorpions fluoresce quite well. But you will never sit down in the desert again if you do this. Ignorance is bliss. Ouch..... :D

[SavageSun4x4]

Went to the Rattlesnake training for dogs a few days ago. Here is how it goes down...

You lead your dog to a cage on the ground with a rattlesnake in it. Dog is wearing a radio collar. You and dog walk up to it, dog smells it and about that time the trainer squeezes the transmitter. Dog gets snake 'bit' and runs like hell. Dog has learned to associate the smell of the Rattlesnake with being 'bitten' by one. Dog never forgetts. Dog is now trained....

[Kiwi]

Sorry to hear that Don. We've had more than one cat at my place turn up dead, and more than a couple of rattle snakes curled up on our front porch.

Guess the lesson here watch where your wiener goes.

[Kiwi]

Dogs are easily trainable that way, it seems. Daisy used to chase me down my driveway and up the street when I ride my MC. Worse, cause she thinks she's a sheep dog, and I must be a sheep, she would circle me. Well, one morning she misjudged, and I clipped her head with my front tire. Thought I had killed the damn dog. But ever since then, no more chasing me. Guess she finaly figured out niether me nor my MC is a sheep :)

[Markos]

In Colorado, you have to keep your dogs away from the porcupines. I know a dog that tangled with a few on different occaisions. Each time resulted in hundreds of spines to the face, mouth, and throat, along with a trip to the emergency vet.

[Markos]

A picture is worth 1000 words...

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/pq14.jpg

Can you tell that I like posting pictures?

[T.C.'S TOY]

AS LONG AS THERES SUNSHINE THERES SNAKES.....T.C.:cool: 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[SHNIPE]

HOLY HELL! looks like an anaconda with a rattle!!

Don how much was the training for your dog? I plan on takin my doxie with us on jeeping trips but dont want him gettin bitten. He doesnt mind scorpions. Hes been stung twice in the snout at my gf's moms house and never had an issue with it. Not even a yelp. But a snake on the other hand, im worried about.

[SavageSun4x4]

HOLY HELL! looks like an anaconda with a rattle!!

Don how much was the training for your dog? I plan on takin my doxie with us on jeeping trips but dont want him gettin bitten. He doesnt mind scorpions. Hes been stung twice in the snout at my gf's moms house and never had an issue with it. Not even a yelp. But a snake on the other hand, im worried about.
Its a Sat training session, lasts about 45 min, maybe more, maybe less depending on how many people/dogs. Cost $50 bucks which includes a refresher. Well worth the money as opposed to a vet bill can easily run into the thousands if your lucky, death to your dog if not...go for it. Follow Pima road till it dead-ends, go thru the gated road and its a ranch down on the left. Take all of the family...

[RokNRich]

Off topic but it has peaked my curiosity; can people be vaccinated for poisons? Reason I ask is many years ago I got a nasty black widow bite and three years later a sidewinder got me on my calf. I thought I was well past those days then in August I got stung good by a scorpion while welding in the garage one night? The scorpion was small and tan and my heart felt as though it was going to come through my chest for about 45 minutes. If there is a "people" shot for it count me in .

WOW !


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