Anybody on here who has had a dog bitten by a snake?
my boy was bitten and has spent 3 days in the vets and still may need a further op to cut away dead tissue and skin that is dieing off.
We had only just moved house and the garden is overgrown (not now we have spent a day cutting it back)
we moved saturday and this happened some time between sunday afternoon and night. He has been very lucky, he is still here to tell the tail.

Is your dog a Small breed?

A dog I bred was bitten by an Adder, but the advice was that as he was over 20kg he would do better recovering on his own that having the anti-venom, but there was no issue with tissue damage.

I undrstand that things can be more serious for a small dog.

Hope your boy recovers well.

I had a springer 12 years ago who weighed 24kg, stocky heavy dog, beautiful. He got an adder bite and within 2 hrs died, went down like a piece of lead, vomited in the car to vets and was in bad way. He had anti venom and we left him with vet so could get other dogs home, 10mins away. Got home and vet called us back instantly but by when we arrived he had died, he was 2years old. The poor vet was upset and was very experienced. We were devastated as its happened so quick and he was a rescue that had had 4 homes but ours was going to be last as he was a great dog and we loved him.
I am sure the vet told us that it doesn't matter on size or weight as it affects each dog differently, bit like a bee sting with humans.

I hope your dog makes a full recovery, paws crossed.

>I  undrstand that things can be more serious for a small dog.

Pertinent to note that this one of the high risk factors and not the only one!
The severity of the clinical signs and the speed of recovery varies depending upon:
- The location of the bite (facial bites are more serious, the basic Airway/Breathing of first aid)
- The size of the dog (the smaller, the higher the index for an incapacitant poison)
- The amount and potency of the venom (the venom may be more concentrate in March/April time when Adders come out of hibernation.. Climate dependant)
- The amount the dog moves post bite (movement increases venom uptake into a dog's blood circulatory system, again this is basic first aid, immobilise, carry the dog.)
- Any pre-existing disease/condition the dog has (may make them more likely to develop severe clinical signs),

I would hate to think that anyone reading this may believe that a dog over 20kg was not at risk for systemic symptoms (the VPIS Veterinary Poisons  information Service currently logs it as two thirds of reported cases being systemic)
         Thankfully it's so rare (for anyone who doesn't live in high adder populated areas and is not au fait with them) Adders use their venom to incapacitate their prey (to eat it!) so they do not attack, they only use their venom if provoked or threatened.

I would always ensure a dog of mine is gone over by a Vet (even though I train others what to do in this instance in my line of work!) 

Diddles,
You can contact your local ARG UK rep who will give advise on the Adders habitat in your area (they like undisturbed areas, so may well move off the area of your garden) by knowing the areas the rep can advise wether to remove them or not.
Just Put ARG Amphibian and Reptile Group UK  into a search engine and they'll pop up.
Hope that helps?
Wishing a speedy recovery for your dog x

That is interesting. 

My friend lives on Exmoor and her dog (Elkhound adult male) was bitten in the Autumn.

my boy was sent home with ABs and Pain killers. There is a large section of tissue dead and more dieing around the wound. He will have to have skin grafts and at the moment is having it dressed every other day. we are devastated, his show career will be well and truly over, but thankful that i still have my boy with us. When he was released at the end of day 3 to my care the vet did say she was uncertain she could save him. It was touch and go. Long road to recovery.

What a nightmare, positive thoughts for a good recovery.