My dog has developed a wonderful talent for sniffing out snakes, I understand that our country park has rather a large number of adders, apparently they will only strike if really peeved, and so far she has only jumped around and barked at them. I don't really think she is brave/stupid enough to go that close but if she were to catch one on a bad day what could be the outcome, I'm sure they are poisonous but not sure to what extent, what should I do if she is bitten?

Hayley

Basically, get your dog to a vet as soon as possible.

While you're doing that, keep the dog as quiet as possible, and with as little exercise as possible - carry it if you can. If there is an opportunity to clean the bite with soap and water while you are on your way to the vet, then do so.

If there is likely to be an excessive delay in reaching a vet it may be necessary to apply an icepack around the bite, applying a light tourniquet to the limb above the bite, or even excising the puncture wounds and sucking out the venom.

But don't waste precious time doing this if it is at all possible.

I didn't realise adder bites were that serious, I'm a bit of a town girl really, not very good at country stuff! I'll be a lot more careful from now on, try and distract her with her ball, I must try and take my mobile too, as often I am out with 2 dogs and 2 small children, I'm not sure if I could carry her far but if needs must ............

Many, many thanks

Hayley

I know it may sound a stupid question, but if I were to suck out the venom - and I'm sure I remember a comedy scene from a film - how dangerous would it be to me (I obviosly wouldn't swallow it!)

NEVER suck out the venom. If you are still going to take her where there are snakes someone in my agility class who walks hers out there in the summer carries a homeopathic anti-venin.

Wendy

Adder bites are lethal and depending on the breed of dog can be lethal in minutes. Do a search. I don't take my whippets out on the heath in the summer as they would be dead before I could get them back to the house:( I can't remember the website, but there was one that had a man's description of his own ordeal with an adder bite and he was a big man and very knowledgeable. I would never take the chance with my dogs.

Wendy

It would be wise to check whether your vet caries anti-venom in stock, the majority of vets don't.

A friend of mine nearly lost her Border Terrier because of this, they had to travel 30 odd miles and back to a hospital to get the anti-venom for the vet to administer it.

I asked my vet the question and they don't hold it in stock, the only way that they would was if I bought it myself and they would keep it in the correct conditions in case I needed it.

What I have considered doing is to get a group of people together and buy the anti-venom between us, and whoever (god forbid) needs it can do so.

Thanks everyone for the advice, I don't really have any choice as to where to walk them as we only have one car and I need to be able to walk to the walk with 2 small kidlings. I will chat to the park ranger next time I see him to see if he knows how many they are, what upsets them and whether he has any anti venom (but I suppose only practitioners are allowed to administer it?)
I will be extremely careful now I know the full extent of the dangers, Honey is pretty obedient so shouldn't be a problem as long as I am 'with it',
I'll also have a word with my vet re the anti venom, I would presume they have it as we have known adders in the country park, but I won't risk it, I will check

Wendy, is the homeopathic anti venom reliable?

Thanks again everyone

Hayley and Honey the snake charmer (not!!!:))

Hi Hayley - I've not a clue to be honest, was only passing on what someone in my agility class relies on. I'm not sure she's every had to use it. Would be worth doing some research. I don't even know what it's called though -sorry.

Wendy

My experiences of living in "adder country" is that most people or dogs are bitten because they step on the adder as it basks in the warmth. Adders never go all out to attack & if disturbed will slip away quietly. However what usually happens is that the dog (or human) is walking/running across a bit of stone or heather where the adder is sunbathing, steps on it & gets bitten. i know countless dogs that have been bitten & died from a heart attack from the bite. It is very serious, most die from the heart attack not the poison itself, sucking it out is an old wives tale! Best to carry the dog as quick as poss to the vet, but better still don't go out on the heathland on hot sunny days!

Excising the wound and sucking out the venom is advice given in "Veterinary Notes for Dog Owners" - but it is to be done only if you are hours from veterinary attention (far away on remote moors, etc) and your dog is almost certain to die otherwise. It is a true emergency measure for extreme circumstances.

How do I know if my town park has adders - are they everywhere?

Adders are nationwide, but prefer dry sandy heathland or rough common to parks. You are most likely to see them in early summer, lying in the sun. Like most animals they will avoid trouble if they can - if they hear you coming they will most likely slither away.

The venom is a powerful heart depressant, and is also poisonous to man; death has been known to occur in 6 hours. However there have been less than 12 fatalities in the UK in the past 70 years.

I've tried calling my vets to ask about the anti venom, but it is just an emergency service as it is a bank holiday. Until then, I will just be very careful with Honey, although you can't stop them running everywhere can you? Hopefully I will catch the ranger over the weekend to get his advice too, seeing as he is the one protecting the pesky things!!! I would have seen him this morning but my son managed to fall in some nettles so that was another mini emergency to deal with!! He was very brave though!

Thanks everyone

Hayley

If it's any reassurance, I've been walking myself (and dogs too, now I'm grown-up!) on heathland for over 40 years, and I've never seen an adder, and I've never known anyone who's been bitten by one.

A bite is serious when it happens, but it is rare.

Hope this helps. :)

Dog I bred was bitten last year in the Autumn, this can be a bad time as they are less mobile and threfore more likely to be trodden on. He was given something to reduce the swelling, but not the antivenom. He recovered well, but is a 40 poihnd plus sized dog.

Hi Hayley ...have a look here Adder Info and also ..Dogs and Adders

HTH

Melody :)

Thanks Melody, the sites were really helpful, fortunately Honey is a fair sized dog - 28kg - so that would hopefully help her in the event of a bite - anyway prevention is better than cure so I will be watching her like a hawk from now on - not easy with 2 dogs and 2 small children, I will have to watch where they walk too, but I am sure if I tell them there are snakes in the heather they won't go anywhere near it - come to think of it neither will my Mum! Thankfully she's looking after the dogs at her place when we go on holiday!!!!

Thanks everybody for all your help, my mind is more at ease now :)

Hayley

We see adders frequently in the woods & fields where I walk my dogs and so far have never had a problem with them.
I think they are lovely creatures, very attractive to look at when the are basking in the sun, what does surprise people seeing them for the first time is how small they are.

Ingrid

I've only ever seen grass snakes (and slow-worms, but they aren't snakes) in the wild, and they are fascinating animals. They often sleep in our compost heap.

My homoeopathic book recommends Ledum 4x and Lachesis 8x every 15-30 minutes and less frequently as the condition improves. Calendula ointment is applied to the wound. The best place to get these treatments are from Freemans of Glasgow:
Tel 0141 6441165 or
www.freemans.uk.com
Site is a bit hard to follow but they are very helpful on the phone or by e-mail
Karen