Dogs and venomous bites! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

79-240d-project · #1 07-23-2007, 11:46 AM

I remember a thread a while back about dogs and bites. Well, here is my dogs injury!

Started yesterday morning. Woke up and was getting ready to take the dog to the park for our daily workout. I noticed a very small bump on his side. It was so small it looked like the fur was just going in the wrong direction. I examined it and it was just a small raised area. No redness or open wound.

Ten minutes later it was noticeably larger, about the size of a dime. I noticed a little redness. I put an ice pack on it for about 5 min. I got my coffee and checked the weather online.

Thirty minutes after seeing the small bump I could see that is was getting worse by the second. It was now the size of a half dollar, very red, and a wound appeared which was the ulcer.

It was about 45 min. after waking up I was heading to the doggy emergency room. I was there from 10 am to 3 pm.

Here is the result, the vet agreed with me that it was most likely a venomous bite. The species will probably never be known and the bite could have happened anywhere from 8 to 24 hours prior to the outward signs. We are treating it very agressively.

Pentoxifylline - Blood flow enhancer.
Antibotics
Benadryl

Now I have to worry about necrotic effect of the venom. This story is far from over. I have an appt. with my regular vet later today.

The five hours I spent at the Vet. ER was very depressing. It was busy.

The Jack Terrier with Giardia.
The Golden Retriever that ate an entire chocolate cake. Did not make it!
The puppy mutt with Parvo. Did not make it!

GermanStar · #2 07-23-2007, 12:05 PM

It really sucks watching your beloved pets suffer for no good reason.

My dog has twice been nailed by bark scorpions, thankfully dogs are not as susceptible to the toxin as humans, but it was still alarming. The first time I rushed him to the Veterinary ER, the second time I understood what had happened and just waited it out. Each instance was accompanied by a "dead" limb, shaking, and loss of appetite. Recovery was near complete within 6 - 8 hours. Your situation sounds considerably less pleasant. Best of luck!

Gurkha · #3 07-23-2007, 12:08 PM

http://www.herbsrainbear.com/encylopedia/echinecea.htm

Works very good on my dogs, they have been bitten numerous times and this never fails.

BauhnBuster · #4 07-23-2007, 01:37 PM

I see you are in Tacoma. I am up here in Vancouver and the creature that may have caused this is The Hobo Spider or possibly the Brown Recluse. Not sure if the Recluse live in the pacific northwest....yet. Maybe your dog was sleeping and rolled over on a wandering male who then bit when being squooshed. The Hobo has a necrotic venom similar to the Recluse. Maybe look for 2 small marks where the fangs bit. Good luck to you and your dog.

Shaun

Mistress · #5 07-23-2007, 05:11 PM

best of luck to you and the pooch. I am glad your so attuned as to have noticed the small lump in his fur, be thankful you caught it when you did. please keep us posted.

79-240d-project · #6 07-23-2007, 11:29 PM

Thank you all for your concern! Good news!

We were at the vet at 9:30 am this morning to have him checked out. My vet was very impressed with the general condition of the wound. She is absolutly positive that my early detection and quickly getting him to the Animal ER has already saved my dog from real issues from necrosis.

The bite is from an unknow vemomous animal, most likely a spider. Whatever it was, it got him good!

The Brown Recluse is not native to the Pacific Northwest. The two most likely suspects are the Hobo and the Black Widow.

My neighbor helped me get Boomer out of the truck on Sunday. He stopped by this evening and said the wound looks much better than it did yesterday.

I will be keeping an even closer eye on my boy for a few weeks, still early!

Thanks again

ImBroke · #7 07-23-2007, 11:44 PM

Good job on paying attention to your dog. Our Black Lab was bitten by a Copperhead, and we feel quick action saved her as well.

Mistress · #8 07-24-2007, 10:07 AM

79- Glad to hear Boomer is doing better and thanks for the pics, what a beautiful dog.

BauhnBuster · #9 07-24-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

The Brown Recluse is not native to the Pacific Northwest. The two most likely suspects are the Hobo and the Black Widow.

Hello. I thought the Recluse isn't here. Yes most likely a Hobo. Great to hear Boomer is doing well. Cheers!

Shaun

Mistress · #10 07-25-2007, 10:26 AM

Any Boomer news today?

79-240d-project · #11 07-25-2007, 11:01 AM

Boomer is doing very well! His wound is improving daily. We have had a couple of long nights, the meds are making Boomer drink loads of water. This is good and bad, we had to go outside twice last night for a potty but the fact he is drinking lots of water is a very good thing. He is also eating with no issues.

It is not very clear in the attached picture but the ulcer is looking great. The area with the most damage in the center is healing very fast. The edges of the ulcer have regained a nice red color, it is now only the very center of the ulcer that is black. The blood flow enhancer is doing its job very well.

The amount of Benadryl I am giving Boomer still has me concerned. I did cover this fact with the vet but she assured me that the dosage is correct. The Benadryl really effects the poor boy, talk about one spaced out dog. About an hour after medication he will just stand and stare out into space. I got me one spaced out puppy!

I hope the pictures are not to graphic.

Thanks again for the concern.

Jeff

Mistress · #12 07-25-2007, 11:09 AM

Woohooo- Boomer's lookin good! Have you ever taken Benedryl? It makes me drool....effective but it'll make ya loopy.

79-240d-project · #13 07-25-2007, 11:25 AM

One Benadryl will knock me out! (25mg) I am giving him 100mg twice a day!

Mistress · #14 07-26-2007, 02:39 PM

Do we have a Boomer update for today?

79-240d-project · #15 07-26-2007, 11:42 PM

Boomer is doing very well. It wound appears to be healing very well. I figure another week of healing before the extent of the real damage will be known.

Jeff