Dogs and puppy react to a fake snake!

[catbyte]

Teddy is a lover, not a fighter, Archie is a true Terrier, and baby Ruby (the newest member of the family Jonathan got from his local Humane Society) is, well, a puppy.

[hlthe2b]

1. Ummmm... That's why all my dogs go through snake aversion training with several hundred other

dogs (mostly hunting or hiking buds, like mine) across the state each summer. I don't want them going near ANY of them and it works. My favorite is the guys that come up from Texas with a rattlesnake and bullsnake--using e-collars to help them get the "safe" message.

Afterward, I can guarantee none of my dogs or their buddies would likely go for the toy...(thus they are trained to avoid snakes that "look like" rattlesnakes as well)

[efhmc]

3. There is an antivenom for dogs but it is very expensive. So best not to go there. I hate guns so take my hoe with me.

[hlthe2b]

4. Yes. of course, but as in humans if you do not receive it promptly you or dog can still die. As occurred in

Golden, Colorado on a bike trail from what is considered a lower-level venomous species of rattlesnake (Prairie Rattler--we don't have Western Diamondbacks here). That human cyclist received antivenom, steroids, fluids, blood pressure support, and as much intensive care as his relatively short stay could afford at a very good Denver hospital. He died.

There is likewise a rattlesnake vaccine which is subject to a lot of reactions and not sufficiently protective to prevent not having to seek emergency (antivenom) care. It does buy you time, however.

So, if you have dogs at risk or live in high-prevalence areas for venomous snakes, especially rattlesnakes, listen to me. Seek out a highly recommended, highly experienced snake aversion trainer. I know many an owner who wished they'd listened to me over the years. Nothing worse than seeing your previously healthy dog's life drain away in front of you. EMS or "Flight for Life" will come for the human. They will not for the dog, so best to think ahead.

[efhmc]

5. Two of the dogs of people who worked for me were dachshunds and were bitten. This was years ago.

They survived. Was there a preventative inoculation that could be taken? Seems like I was told this by their owner but she was extremely unreliable with info. So happy she is long gone.

[hlthe2b]

8. That vaccine has been avaiable about 10 years--not highly used because of the reactions and because

]people mistake the limited protection it provides to the dog and don't seek care. Yes, dogs can survive on their own and not infrequently do NOT have to receive antivenom (even with rattlesnakes) depending on where bitten, the size of the dog, the type/size of the snake and the amount of venom injected. You "take your chances" though...

Humans come into my and other ERs all the time and refuse to receive anti-rabies treatment because they aren't sure the bat bit them--even after I and public health advise them otherwise. Those same people will typically not ignore a venomous snakebite, but some do. Born gamblers, I guess.

[efhmc]

9. It was probably less than 10 years ago and she and her dogs are gone now. Once before she was gone they were

having a barking fit in a bush by their house and when I went to investigate, they had a rattler cornered. I think it bit both of them but they survived.

[Mosby]

10. Great advice 👍

[catbyte]

7. It's a good thing they're suburban/urban dogs. Teddy is frightened by many things, especially

the woods, so I don't think that will be an issue, thankfully, for these pups.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Guess a Golden ain't gonna protect me from the slithering things.

[catbyte]

6. Not Teddy, at least.