salmonoid wrote:
troutfanatic wrote:
I take my Lab fishing... he's not real bright and afraid of water.
As for snakes, should your dog get bit, kill the snake or confirm the species and get the dog to emergency vet clinic. They should carry antivenin during peak bite season. Some bites won't kill a dog and they will just give them meds... I think it's just an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory
I had a dog that was bit by a cottonmouth and I was lucky, the vet had antivenin.
Why would you kill the snake? Revenge for biting the dog? Why risk getting bitten yourself?
Regarding dog/snake or coyote enounter..
The coyote encounter would be a rarity. The only time I can think you'd even see a coyote in the wild is if they were rabid. I've only seen one coyote in the daytime in PA and it slunk away quickly. I've heard them howling many a time a night (eerie sound) and I've seen them during the day a number of times in the western states, but always from afar.
The snake encounter might be more likely. How the dog would handle something new would be the wild card. I've encountered rattlers in PA probably a dozen times or so. When I've spotted them, I've always given them a wide, respectable berth. I also walk slowly and alertly in areas I know they may be present and I don't go sticking my nose or paws underneath rocks. If your dog is curious in snuffling around such places, or would be aggressive if they did find a snake, then you might want to consider that in the equation.
I immediately thought of Squaretail's dog encounter with a snake that he posted about a few years ago. I think it was on Mountain Creek and assume it is the same encounter Jack mentioned.
Bottom line is that life is full of risks. Figure out the risk to the dog and how the demeanor of the dog might add to the risk. Then, plan accordingly. There's probably a bigger chance of something happening on the vehicle ride to the stream than there is on the stream (at least that is what I tell my wife when I fish alone). But that doesn't mean there is zero risk on the stream.
Kind of confrontational... bad day at the office?
PhiendWMD is exactly correct, so re-read my post.
"kill the snake or CONFIRM the species"
PA has three poisonous snakes that I am aware of, but the OP didn't say he solely fishes in PA... I know I don't.
I won't be bit for killing a snake because the sanke will take a blast of .00 buck from the Judge.
Knowing what bit you or the dog will help a veterinary clinic or the ER determine methods of treatment.
The Copperhead is Hemotoxic. The venom attacks red blood cells. CROFAB can be administered however, some humans have an allergic reaction to it which can put them at greater risk than not dosing them with antivenin. I am not sure about dogs. Most Copperhead bites are seldom lethal in humans.
The Massasauga is also hemotoxic, but if I remember correct, they also bear a slight neurotoxicity. They are known to dry-bite. A vet or doc can usually determine pretty quick if the victim got a dose. It is notable that Massasauga venom is one of the more toxic ones in the Eastern US, but they tend to give a low dose.
Timber Rattlesnakes are different because there are 3 subspecies each with a different venom. One has Neurotoxic venom, while another is Hemotoxic... decisions decisions.
I cannot remember which venom type is present in the northeast variety.
A third has a weak venom that will not harm a human, but may harm a pet.
Nuerotoxic bites need treatment quickly because they can be extremely bad.
So let's say our OP decides to fish out west with his pooch and get's bit by a Mojave Green... would you accept risk?
I won't, that snake will get a dose of .00
The good news is that snakes are victims of bad myths. They are seldom confrontational and choose to avoid contact with humans. A curious dog may be a different story.
Peace, have a better day
