Rattle Snakes and Dogs

[cmdalexander]

Just wondering if any of you have had the unfortunate experience of having your dog tangle with a rattlesnake in Southern Alberta?

What precautions do you take? What can be done if a dog is bitten?

Only 5 more weeks until partridge opens

[birdhunter99]

Most of the time the dog will be OK. I know of a number of dogs that have been bitten and were fine in a few days. However a trip to the vet for treatment ASAP is your best approach. Any time you are hunting near river valleys or big coulees in the early fall down in SE Alberta you could run into snakes. There are a few spots I avoid until late in the season afternoon a frost or two to avoid the snakes. Overall the risk is pretty low especially if you are around farmland hunting partridge. By the time sharpies are open the snakes are asleep in their dens.

[wwbirds]

We hunt in an area known for rattlers as well but have never seen one. think this is because sharpies don't open until October 1 in our area and by that time if not denned up they are a little more lethargic and sticking pretty close to the den sites in rocky terrain near the valleys where the dens generally occur. have to get Arachnodoisacs opinion but although we see signs advising snake area in 5-6 years have never seen one or had an encounter. As stated above hun terrain (agricultural field corners) is not snake friendly but sharpies seem to share the transition sand hills and rocky areas.
Rob

[Vacation]

Praire Rattlers are more bark than bite....except I would be real scared of this fella found near Foremost

[scrapper]

Originally Posted by Vacation

Praire Rattlers are more bark than bite....except I would be real scared of this fella found near Foremost

I certainly hope you are just joking about this remark. In Med Hat we deal with this all the time and I can assure you rattlesnake bites KILL dogs way more often than you think. There have been several dogs killed this year in Med Hat from snake bites. This is absolutely nothing to make fun about, and you probably won't be laughing as you burry your dog. If someone tells you a snake bite won't KILL a dog they are for the most part fools

If you are going to be hunting in snake country this year be aware there seems to be more around than there has in the past few years. Before you head down go to your vet and ask for a strong antihistimine to carry with you. That should at least help you get to a vet if you run into a problem. However don't just assume getting to a vet will solve your problem in several of the cases where dogs have died of snake bites they made it to the vet but just could not be saved.

[NewAlbertan]

Last year, only rattler I saw was out near Many Berries, despite working the dog at Popson park on the Lethbridge Westside almost daily (there are lots of warning signs there)...
This year, 3 in Popson alone so far, 2 in the last week - and BIG ones.
I saved 3 guys, had parked along the road and were walking between the cars and the fence/field line, right where I had just spotted a big snake. They would have walked w/in 1m. unknowingly, and I'm sure would have been bitten. They were grateful.
Talking to folks at the dog parks, lots seen, no stories of bites...
One thing I've learned for sure - the 'rattle' of the crickets or whathaveU, whilst 'close', - A real rattlesnake is quite distinctive, and you will know it when you hear it...

[Okotokian]

Wait for Arachno's return. If anyone will know that girl will.

Apparently there is a vaccine available but I really don't know much about it. Might be worth researching if you are really concerned.

[NewAlbertan]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Apparently there is a vaccine available but I really don't know much about it. Might be worth researching if you are really concerned.

I contacted these guys (http://www.redrockbiologics.com/) last year, took a few times to get a response.
Only available thru limited Vets in the US, rattlesnake areas.
No one carries (at that time) in Canada.
Not available online or direct.

If anyone knows of another product, or how to obtain theirs, please let us know!

[Speckle55]

http://www.thensome.com/rattlesnake.htm
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...FORM=IGRE#x0y0

[lone wolf]

Originally Posted by scrapper

There have been several dogs killed this year in Med Hat from snake bites.

This is the second time you have made this claim. As a Med Hat resident & regular dog walker I would love to know where you are getting your info. I haven't read or heard anything in the local media about dogs being bitten, or from the regulars at the off leash area in Kin Coulee by the big tipi.

I am not denying that bites could be serious or potentially fatal, just tired of the fear mongering.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by lone wolf

This is the second time you have made this claim. As a Med Hat resident & regular dog walker I would love to know where you are getting your info. I haven't read or heard anything in the local media about dogs being bitten, or from the regulars at the off leash area in Kin Coulee by the big tipi.

I am not denying that bites could be serious or potentially fatal, just tired of the fear mongering.

I don't know where he's getting that either, we are at off leash area's twice a day and have never heard anything. If there was anything to it the city would have put up notices. No doubt there are snakes around, always have been but I can't see them hanging around in the off leash areas with all the traffic through them. Did see a big bull below MHG&CC, both dogs were scared which is good, the Springer just about turned inside when she went past, after that she wanted nothing to do with it.

[lone wolf]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I don't know where he's getting that either, we are at off leash area's twice a day and have never heard anything. If there was anything to it the city would have put up notices. No doubt there are snakes around, always have been but I can't see them hanging around in the off leash areas with all the traffic through them. Did see a big bull below MHG&CC, both dogs were scared which is good, the Springer just about turned inside when she went past, after that she wanted nothing to do with it.

Speaking of potential dangers when dog walking, there is/was a young bull moose in Police Point Park this week.

[scrapper]

There is no vaccine for snake bites that I am aware of. At least four reported snake bites in Med Hat on dogs this year that I am aware of, at least two that were fatal. Just because you have not heard of them does not mean they have not happened does it.

[300WIZM]

I know one of my best friends dogs got bit at Rattlesnake lake and it was fatal. He got bit and rushed to the vet and was told there is no available vaccine and 4 days later his family pet was gone. Dog was in perfect health but they figured it was a young one and they are the most dangerous as they don't have rattles or good control over how much venom to use.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by scrapper

There is no vaccine for snake bites that I am aware of. At least four reported snake bites in Med Hat on dogs this year that I am aware of, at least two that were fatal. Just because you have not heard of them does not mean they have not happened does it.

http://www.redrockbiologics.com/ Not to be confused with anti venom which is given after the dog or person has been struck. Where were they reported? In the other post you started, you said four killed.

[scrapper]

Correct four, two that I have confirmed myself and two other that I heard about from a very reliable source, look pal I know what you are getting at here apparently if you haven't heard about it it then it didn't happen. Please pm me your email so that in the future I can make sure you are aware of every situation that occurs between dogs and snakes in the Med Hat area. If you have not familiarized yourself with the increased snake activity in Med Hat this year sorry about that.

Can I answer any other questions for you or maybe get you the names of the dead dogs, maybe a DNA sample so you can confirm they were killed by snake bites. Frankly I could care less if you believe me or not, the important thing here is that people are made aware of what many of us in the area know, the snake situation requires hieghtened awareness this year in SE Alberta.

[pikergolf]

I guess that means that it wasn't reported, but that you had heard?