A friend's Flatcoat was bitten by an adder on the Forest a few weeks back, and today blow me down if there wasn't one right in the middle of the path sunbathing as i walked towards it with my dog.

Luckily my dog was to my right and the adder was to my left, so i got in between and got her under control, and the adder slid away into some undergrowth. It was a very beautiful creature in fact.

Has anyone's dog been bitten, and if so, what did you do? My vet is well over half an hour's drive away (I must find where the local ones are in an emergency).

I have heard Piriton can be carried on walks to help with the reaction to an adder bite - does anyone know about this at all?

Lindsay

I have to always watch for adders as i don't live far from Cannock Chase and there always over there but the vets isn't to far away i'd ask the vet about piriton as i don't know

One of My bitches was bitten about 2 weeks ago...she was sore/lame (still lame infact) for a day or two but luckily ok. We have had experience of this before 7 usually its the heart attack that kills the dog, not the poison itself.

It can also depress the immune system as well. I was in a garden pond area at a garden centre and saw this lovely imitation Adder sunning it's self beside a pool. I was just thinking of buying one when it suddenly slithered off!!!!!

Best wishes, John

Lindsay

As well as checking emergency vets closer to where you walk, check with them that they carry the antidote!!!

A friend of mine had her dog bitten last year and had to drive herself to the nearest hospital to carry the anti-venom which was and hour a way and then drive back for the vet to administer the drug. Her dog was very ill for weeks and only just pulled through.

Because of this I checked with my Vet and they do not hold the anti-venom. They would buy it in for me and hold it in stock, but it has a shelf life of only 12 months. Luckily my nearest hospital carrying it is only 1/2 hour away so I thought that I would rely on them for the drug.

Jayne

Thanks everybody

Cassie n Ollie, there seem to be a lot of adders about this year; I have been really careful to watch for them, you sound in a similar position.

Sam, I'm glad your bitch is oK apart from the limp, hope that goes soon.

Bet you're glad you didn't buy that "imitation adder" John !!!

Jayne, that's interesting about checking the emergency surgery holds the antidote - i assumed they would all carry it but as you say, that's not necessarily the case. In fact it's a bit worrying. I'm glad your friend's dog pulled through.....I think i'll get in touch with a few vets today.

LIndsay
X

Hi

You can give them regular piriton. We have been told by our vet and trainer that if Os were to be bitten to give him 2 pills (he weighs about 34 kg). Apparently it can just stem the tide until you get them to the vet. You should give them the piriton, then put a tourniquet above / on the bite (not too tight) and then get the dog straight to the vet asap.

Apparently this year has been worse for snakes due to the hot weather so we have stopped walking Os across the fields for the moment.

Jayne

That's great information, thanks very much Jane.

I presume if the dog is bitten somewhere NOT on a limb, such as the face or chest, it's impossible to do a tourniquet so just give the Piriton and go straight to the vet surgery.

Lindsay

we have adders here and often come across. One bit Lucky (pointer) at the weekend. We don't think any venom went in as there was no swelling. We put some cream on it and gave her a piriton tablet and she seemed fine after that.

Helen

Much as we would love to go out walking, we don't take them out during adder season, as being whippets (well one a whippet mix) there is so little body fat I'm not sure they would even make it out of the heath if they got bit. We stick to lots of ball-throwing in the back garden or finding one or two of the beaches that dogs are still allowed on.

I can't wait for the autumn when we can get back out again - the heath is right across the road from us and part of the reason we bought the house - we didn't know about the adders when we purchased:(

Wendy

I have been told by a vet nurse that if a dog is bitten by an adder you must get it to a vet a soon as possible. If it is a small dog it is better to carry it as walking allows the venom to travel faster. I think if possible washing the area does help but aiming to get to the vets as soon as is your best bet.

I think adder venom affects the blood system so once the dog has been bitten thats it...straight into the system - no washing, sucking or slashing will effect the venom - I'm also slightly concerned about the use of a torniquet, this could waste valuable time and do more harm than good to the 'limb in question' - apparently an adders defensive bite is less potent than it's hunting bite....straight to the vet I think.
Sarah. :)