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Snakes Alive - A Seasonal Warning/Reminder

Started by DW, April 27, 2013, 03:09:12 PM

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DW

Hello Group

Although not directly connected to Auto Immune problems, the implications could be particularly serious for dogs already Immunity- compromised and so I hope I am not doing anything wrong for sharing this reminder.....

It's that time of the year for an annual warning that adders will soon be out and about after winter hibernation.
As soon as the temps reach a steady 13 deg.,they will be emerging from their sites under trees and deep bushes, and until they have mated and then eaten,they are extremely toxic., and until they warm up considerably,they are very slow to move.
They hibernate in groups so there is potential for a dog ( or human) that disturbs them to receive multiple bites, as they don't dispurse immediately and only after mating.If the temperatures dip,as they are doing at present,they will stay around their winter quarters and only appear on sunny days,and will lie basking in shaded and protected sites.
If your dog is bitten,especially around the head,get him to a vet pronto., as once the head swells,he may have trouble breathing.
If you don't see snakes,but your dog has a pronounced swelling anywhere and is under par check for puncture marks,and still go to your vet, as a sudden collapse is not unheard of.

For anybody heading to the coast ...also be on your guard, as I have just heard from a friend that has just returned from North Devon and  there have been reportings of Adders in the Dunes.

Gwyneth


Jo CIMDA

Thank you for the warning Gwyneth.  A few years ago one of Penel's dogs was bitten by an adder and it was a  very desperate situation.  Thankfully with correct, prompt treatment she survived, but it could have easily gone the other way.

Jo

Penel CIMDA moderator

I'll move your post to general chat if that's ok Gwyneth.

Where I live in Surrey we have lots of adders.  I saw my first one this year on February 21st.
Tilly was bitten many years ago on March 16th.

So many people think they only come out in the hot summer weather - not true at all.  As soon as they come out of hibernation - Feb/March, they are full of venom, very slow and will bite because they are too slow to get away.  They are usually found in warm sunny areas, basking in the sun.

Here's a pic in case anyone isn't sure what an adder looks like.


Curled up by Penelope Malby Photography, on Flickr

after skin has shed

addition by Penelope Malby Photography, on Flickr
Penel
(SLE, Surrey - UK)
Forum Owner
CIMDA

DW

Hi

Thank you so very much for supplying the photo as well.   To be honest, where we live, Adders are plentiful (so I don't know where they get the 'Getting worryingly rare' you hear...think it is just regional).
We also get a lot of Grass Snakes and Slow Worms too.     Deer country,  bracken, ferns, woods and dense shrubbery around the fields.
I have actually seen a couple of dead Adders already, on the grass verges adjacent to fields we work through !!!

It is useful to see the photo though - as I am never to sure what I am looking for - I just avoid anything that resembles a Snake...not that I wish them any harm.

I was told always to carry Piriton (2 x 4mg for a 30kg dog) is this a good thing to carry and are there any others remedies that will give us time whilst we get the dog to a vet?   Also, I was told not to run the dog back to a car etc., if can't be carried - a very sedate walk?
It may be useful if anyone has any advice/ideas to pass on.
Thanks for the photos.
gwyneth

Penel CIMDA moderator

Yes we always have piriton and the vet gave us 25mg pred tablets too, we are to give one of those as well as the piriton if one of the dogs is bitten, then get them to the vets asap.
Tilly was almost unconscious within about 3 mins, she couldn't walk so had to be carried.
She also needed the anti venom which I had to go to the local hospital to get.
Some dogs only need antihistamine and pred, and to be on fluids at the vets and they are ok - it all depends on how big the dog is, how much venom got in the system etc.
The second pic is of an adder who has just shed its skin, they look more "black and white" after shedding - whereas before they look brown/dark brown.
I saw one yesterday just shed - really beautiful.
We don't walk the dogs after the sun gets warm, so in the summer they are walked at 7am ish for hour and a bit then not again.  Where we live it's just too risky with the snakes.
Penel
(SLE, Surrey - UK)
Forum Owner
CIMDA

DW

hi Penel

A couple more questions please.

Giving a pred as well as the Piriton?   Can you explain why that is.    Obviously us on this group will nearly always carry Preds and I  just wondered how they worked.   What if they are already on Preds...does that give them an advantage then?

I tend to walk ours early in the summer because of the heat but in view of that you say, it may be worth doing them very early a.m.
(presume the snakes don't bask until then?)  and maybe late at night?  (Or are the snakes still around then do you know)?

Sorry to pester you more
Gwyneth

Penel CIMDA moderator

Pred because it's anti inflammatory, piriton because it's anti histamine - they work differently - and a dog who's been bitten by an adder needs both.
I suppose it would depend on how much pred the dog is on as to whether that would help or not.

I've been out looking for the adders over the last week or two and they were very difficult to find even on a warm sunny day with low wind, we only found one youngster.  So perhaps where I live there are less than there used to be - maybe the hard cold wet winter has killed some I don't know.  I'll need to speak to some local wildlife people to see what they think.

I've not seen one before 830am, nor after 8pm. 
I have however seen one (or several) at 9am in the summer, and also 6pm - so my dogs are walked v early or v late.

If adders are in your local area speak to your vet and ask if you can have antihistamine and pred just in case.
Penel
(SLE, Surrey - UK)
Forum Owner
CIMDA