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A sandish color snake,I live in Texas,dry right now we have

 
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  • Answered by:Dr Gwen
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Customer Question

A sandish color snake,I live in Texas,dry right now we have had no rain, snake is the width of my arm,long 8to10 ft long what kind of snake is it.bit my dog yesterday.

Submitted: 662 days and 16 hours ago.
Category: Reptile
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Joan replied 662 days and 16 hours ago.

Hello,

Is the dog having any issues from the snake bite?

Was there any pattern on the snake?

Joan

 

 

 

Joan40713.8785970718

Customer replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

The dog was very lathargic and swollen around the right side of face and nose,bit on the nose,snake all I can remember is sandish and long the head was shaped like a arrow head

Picture
Expert:  Joan replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

Hello,

Is you dog in at the Vets office?

Does this look like the snake?

 

Joan40713.8926699421

Customer replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

No, I called the vet and the vet said maybe a copper head I don't know, but recommend giving her benedryl which helped she's still swollen some in the areas I told you about. No that does not,Grayish and sandyish color.

Picture
Expert:  Joan replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

Hello,

The snake above is a copperhead and would cause the signs you are seeing. For the dog to swell and have the symptoms that you have described. The other snake that would cause this is a Rattler. If it is a rattlesnake we have a problem as the swelling will increase and the site of the bite will become necrotic and the tissue start to slough off as the venom spreads.

You can see Rattlers in this picture:

 

With the head you described the snake is venomous and it may be wise to have your dog treated with Antivenin. I am concerned the dog needs to be put on antibiotics and supportive care. Joan

Picture
Expert:  Joan replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

Hi,

This is a link about treatment for vanomous snake bites: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/snakebites-from-a-copperhead-pit-viper-snake-venom-rattlesnake-crotalidae/page1.aspx joan

Customer replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

This took place last night at around 8:30 just at dusk,I let them out and the one started barking like under the deck, and a little while later I noticed the puncture marks on her nose, and the swelling. But she's doing better today eating and drinking. Playing more, seems to be better.
The colors just don't seem right they don't look to be as bright in the picture.

Picture
Expert:  Joan replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

Hello,

These are pictures of the venomous snakes found in Texas: http://www.texaspoison.com/snakes.asp Color variations are normal in snakes as they change color with temperatures , light and heat. The snake may also have been getting ready to shed. There are a lot of variables with color. I still feel the dog should be put on an antibiotic with supportive care. The oral benedryl may not be enough. Joan

Joan40713.9093550926

Customer replied 662 days and 15 hours ago.

Relist: Answer quality.
Snake color is not right on the pictures I saw can any body else look to see about my question.

Accepted Answer

Picture
Expert:  Dr Gwen replied 662 days and 13 hours ago.

Hello, I will try to help answer your questions. Joan has given you good information about snakes that are native to where you live, and what can happen to dogs that are bit by copperheads and rattlers. The most important thing here is your dog and how she is doing. If she continues to be lethargic or there is any swelling, I strongly suggest you have her seen by a veterinarian. If this was a venomous bite, she will most certainly need antibiotics and pain medications, and possibly fluid therapy as well. Many dogs can recover from these bites with help.
As far as the kind of snake, it may not be possible for any of us to positively identify it for you without a photograph of the actual snake. The changes that have happened in your dog (swelling, lethargy) are certainly common with venomous snake bites. The copperhead and rattlesnake are species common to Texas and venomous. There are lots of snakes that sound like what you described that are not venomous (coachwhip, Texas brown snake, etc). And finally, there are people that collect snakes as pets, sometimes venomous snakes from other parts of the world, and either have them escape or release them. In most parts of the country these animals perish once winter weather sets in, but if you have an appropriate climate, like Florida, Texas, California, then they may persist in the wild. Without seeing the snake or at least a picture, I would be quite challenged with identifying the snake that bit your dog. I hope this helps - good luck with your girl.

Expert TypeReptile Veterinarian
Category: Reptile
Pos. Feedback: n/a
Accepts: 9
Answered: 6/19/2011

Experience: Over ten years experience with variety of reptiles, including pets and large collections

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