The dog was bitten by a viper and the consequences. What to do if a dog is bitten by a viper. When can a snake attack a dog?

Walking dogs in nature, especially in forests and near water bodies, can result in a number of unpleasant “surprises.” In addition to the risk of acquiring fleas and ticks, there is a danger that the animal will be bitten by a snake. These reptiles are most active during the mating season - from May to June. In the event that a pet is bitten by a snake, a certain procedure must be followed.

The most vulnerable places in dogs are the legs, stomach, as well as the neck and face. Since it is very difficult to immediately find the bite site due to the thick fur, providing first aid is often problematic. In any case, the owner should be alert to the following symptoms:

• The dog suddenly jumps away from the place where it was, begins to yelp, whine, fall on its back and roll on the ground. Barking may turn into wheezing or growling. Breathing becomes heavy and intermittent.
• The state of excitement is replaced by lethargy, strong physical weakness, up to loss of orientation in space. Shortness of breath, lameness, and motor dysfunction appear.
• Swelling forms at the site of the bite, and ichor oozes from the wound (visually looking like two red dots). A painful swelling usually appears within an hour or two after the incident and can be either small in scale or cover a large area around the bite.

• The dog does not allow you to touch the sore spot, dodging the touch or jumping away. There is an increased heart rate, uneven heartbeat, dysphagia (difficulty breathing) develops.
• In some cases, poisoning can provoke vomiting, muscle spasms, bleeding gums, and convulsions.

Since the most dangerous places for a viper bite are the tongue and neck, breeds with thin, stretched skin (greyhounds, pointers, etc.) are the first to suffer. Due to the large swelling of the tissues, suffocation may occur.

First aid for a snake bite

The sooner the owner understands that inappropriate behavior If a dog is associated with a viper bite, the higher the chances of saving the animal. Ideally, first aid should be provided within an hour after the incident. Before transporting to veterinary clinic you need to do the following:

• Immobilize the dog by fixing its position so that it does not move at all or can make minimal movements of its limbs. Muscle contraction helps accelerate the spread of poison throughout the body, and the “conductor” is not circulatory system, and lymphatic. Accordingly, the fewer movements the animal makes, the slower the outflow of lymphatic fluid occurs.
• If there is a decrease in the pet’s body temperature, then it needs to be covered with a warm blanket or improvised items.

• If no more than 10-15 minutes have passed since the bite, you can try to squeeze out the poison through the wound. The affected area should be treated with hydrogen peroxide or a weak solution (2%) of potassium permanganate.

Important: Despite the recommendations that you first need to make an incision in the area of ​​the wound, and then only squeeze out the poison, it is risky to act according to this scheme. In a state of stress and nervous overexcitation, it is easy to harm the dog - for example, damage a tendon or stick a knife too deeply, aggravating pain shock. The possibility of infection in the wound cannot be ruled out.

• Attach to sore spot cold compress, using dry ice, frozen food or water bottles.
• If a snake bites you in the paw or stomach, you can apply a loose bandage 2-3 cm wide, and in such a way that it can pass under the bandage/cloth. forefinger. The optimal width of the bandage is 3-4 cm. It should be applied above the damaged area. By reducing the rate of lymph circulation in superficial tissues, the effect of the poison is slightly slowed down.
• Give your dog plenty of water, as intoxication of the body leads to rapid dehydration.

Medication first aid

If it is not possible to immediately deliver the dog to a veterinary clinic, or transportation takes a long time, then first aid actions will be as follows:

• Make a novocaine blockade by injecting the bite site at several points (usually three). To do this, take a 5.0 syringe and 0.5% novocaine in ampoules. Injections are made subcutaneously with a distance of 3-4 cm from the wound. In case of severe pain reaction, you can use analgin (intramuscular) or traumatin (subcutaneously).
• Inject an antihistamine - diphenhydramine, tavegil, suprastin. Suprastin is injected in two stages: half the dose (0.5 ml) directly into the bite area (3-4 cm from the wound), half the dose (0.5 ml) into the withers or back.
• Inject an anti-shock and decongestant drug - dexamethasone, prednisolone. An injection (0.5 ml) is given subcutaneously in the withers or back area.
• Give an injection that normalizes heart function - caffeine, sulphocamphocaine, cordiamine. For large dogs the required dose is 2 ml, for small dogs - 0.5 ml. It injects subcutaneously.
• Place Corvalol (5-6 drops) or Valocordin on your tongue.
• Inject 10 ml of saline solution into the withers to prevent dehydration. In case of severe vomiting or loose stools, the injection should be repeated once or twice with a time interval of 20 minutes.

All medications must be drawn into separate disposable syringes. To disinfect the bite area, you can use furatsilin, miramistin, chlorhexidine.

What is strictly forbidden to do

Very often, trying to alleviate the suffering of an animal, owners unknowingly only worsen its condition. So, what can't you do?

• Use alcohol and alcohol-containing products to treat the bite site, as they promote even greater absorption of the poison and its distribution throughout the body.
• Apply bandages that are too tight and compressive. Squeezing soft tissues leads to their necrosis and blood stagnation. When removing such a tourniquet, it is usually observed sharp deterioration the dog’s well-being, since the accumulated poison is first mixed with intoxication products, and then in such a “killer” concentration begins to be spread by lymph throughout the body.
• Give the animal tea, alcohol and other liquids that help speed up the heart.
• Inject snake serum yourself without first seeing a doctor. An incorrectly calculated dosage can only worsen the dog’s condition. Also, one should not exclude the possibility of using a spoiled drug due to non-compliance with the rules for its storage or due to the expiration date.

Good to know

Forewarned is forearmed. It is useful for dog owners to take note of the following information that is directly or indirectly related to the “snake” topic:

• Of all the snakes living in the middle latitudes of Russia, real danger represent only two species - the viper and the copperhead.
• A bite from an adult snake is much more serious than a bite from a young snake that has recently hatched from an egg. This is explained more high concentration a toxin contained in the poison and specifically affecting the heart muscle.
• The most sensitive breeds to snake venom are those with fair skin. Hunting dogs, dachshunds, and mestizos, on the contrary, are resistant to the effects of toxins and can recover even without medical intervention.
• How bigger dog, the slower the poison is absorbed.

• Animals do not develop immunity to snake bites. With each repeated incident, the dog is not immune from serious consequences.
• The reaction to snake venom depends on the location of the bite. To fast fatal outcome Usually cases are cited where the tongue, neck, and lip are affected.

It is important to remember that the life and health of a dog directly depends on how quickly it is taken to the veterinarian. The time and professionalism of the doctor are of decisive importance.

With the onset of warm and cloudless days, an unbridled desire to spend time on fresh air. And it haunts not only people and animals, who so miss long and eventful walks along paths covered with flowers and grass.

During the cold days and nights, frogs, insects and snakes also yearned for the gentle rays of the sun. Therefore, when going to a grassy lawn, into the thick of a forest or to a marshy area, you need to keep your eyes open. After all, the residents of these places are not always sincerely happy to see their guests. It is especially worth paying attention to the fact that more often under “ hot hand“our smaller brothers fall.

Often, it is loving dogs that run into the malicious indignation of reptiles, because having discovered the latter, they cannot resist showing interest and curiosity towards them. It’s not so tragic if the little boy’s cheerful mood falls on a harmless snake, with whom he can play absolutely safely. But it’s not always that a “good-natured” snake will fall under the paw of a mischievous animal. We must not forget that vipers are also integral representatives of the fauna world and love to visit such places. And if a “friend of the family” accidentally stumbles upon a viper, the fun will immediately come to an end.

Reasons why a viper may bite

Having irritated the viper, the dog involuntarily calls it rage and need for self-defense, which is common to all inhabitants wild environment. It goes without saying that, feeling a threat, she goes on a counter-offensive, that is, she makes an attempt to bite the enemy in order to neutralize him and gain time to escape.

It is important to note the fact that no matter how unpleasant and harmful vipers are, they will not be the first to attack until they feel a danger to their livelihoods. IN best case scenario, being unnoticed, they would rather hide from sight than resort to attack.

But if such an unpleasant situation occurs, you should immediately take measures to save the bitten dog.

Signs and symptoms of a dog bite by a viper

To provide first aid to an animal, you first need to find out what caused its sudden feeling unwell. It is not always possible for a person to see an angry snake crawling away from its victim. Therefore, you should know which symptoms are the result of an unwanted relationship between your beloved pet and the viper in order to immediately determine the method of providing first aid.

So, the signs of a viper bite are:

• Detection of two small wounds on the body, parallel to each other, from which blood may ooze during the first 10 minutes.
• Strong painful sensations when touched in a certain place, so much so that the animal may even resist in order to prevent touching the affected area of ​​the skin.
• Significant swelling appears at the site of the bite, which will simply be difficult to miss, since the volume of tissue at the site of the bite can increase as much as 1.5 - 2 times more.

It is important to note that the viper often bites the area of ​​the paws or head. In such situations, curing a dog is not fantastically difficult, however, you should know that there are places where a bite can be fatal. This is the area of ​​the tongue and neck. In this situation, swelling can easily cause suffocation, which will lead to the death of the animal. Also, such consequences can be caused by poison entering a large main vessel, through which the poison disperses sharply in the body, causing painful poisoning.

You should also pay attention to the symptoms that appear after a viper bite:

• Instant loss of orientation of the dog in space.
• Weakness of the body, slow reaction to the environment.
• Nausea accompanied by vomiting or expectoration.
• Transfer from high temperature to decrease with signs of chills.
• Tachycardia, namely sharp violation cardiac activity of the animal.
• Kidney damage, which leads to bloody discharge during his urination.
• Demotion blood pressure.
• Dyspnea.

Not all of the above symptoms occur and necessarily happen to an animal bitten by a viper. If you do not start the moment of providing assistance, many of them will not find their manifestation in the body of your furry pet. Therefore, there is absolutely no need to delay the process. primary treatment dogs.

First aid for a pet with a viper bite

It is absolutely impossible to hesitate to help with a viper bite. Therefore, it is best to purchase this necessary medications, which, at least for the first time, will be beneficial in saving the affected animal. These are drugs of the following subtypes: antihistamines - tavegil, diphenhydramine; decongestants and antishocks – dexamethasone, prednisolone; painkillers - travmatin, analgin. It is also advisable to always have a syringe on hand. It’s clear that no one will take all this with them into nature, since even the thought of such an outcome will not creep in, but it’s definitely necessary to have it at home.

If you are 100% sure that the dog has been injured, you should under no circumstances subject him to physical activity, even when moving it to another place, you should be as careful as possible. If a bite is detected on the body of an animal, you must try to squeeze out By more blood containing poison, however, this can only be done until swelling appears on the skin, that is, a maximum of first 15 minutes. If it was not possible to invest in this period of time, pressing on the wound or making incisions is strictly not recommended, since you can cause an infection or injure important vessels.

It is important to disinfect the bite area with peroxide. However, under no circumstances should you fill the wounds with an alcohol-containing substance. It will not save, but, on the contrary, will aggravate the situation with the lightning-fast spread of poison throughout the body. Blocking the access of poison to organs by applying a tourniquet is also not a safe matter. And at home it’s better not to do this at all. Therefore, I summarize all the pros and cons, we can build next algorithm first aid:

1. Find a wound.
2. Try to squeeze out more blood with poison if it is the first 15 minutes after the bite and there is no swelling yet.
3. When swelling appears, in a position comfortable for the dog, trying as much as possible not to disturb it, move it to comfortable spot where you can get an injection.
4. Treat the wound and surrounding area with hydrogen peroxide.
5. Inject an antihistamine.
6. Give your dog water or light sweet tea.
7. Call the doctor

Before the specialist arrives, it is necessary to constantly monitor the animal. If necessary, inject drugs of other categories that reduce swelling and prevent state of shock animal body and reduce painful sensations. It is very important to show your care and love to the injured “friend”, because they certainly need moral and emotional support!

Of the poisonous snakes found in central Russia, the most common species is the common viper ( Vipera berus). Your his four-legged friend danger can lurk not only in forests, but also in gardens and vegetable gardens - quite often vipers choose their place of residence in the vicinity of humans.

Although for most dogs a viper bite is not fatal, its danger depends on factors such as the animal’s sensitivity to the poison, the size of the dog (the smaller the more dangerous, since more toxin per kg of weight enters the body), its age (for older dogs are most dangerous), the presence of diseases, as well as the location of bites ( greatest danger represent bites to the dog's head and neck). Interestingly, contrary to popular belief, the effects of envenomation are independent of the size of the snake and the time of day (Ahmed et al 2008). There is also no substantiated evidence that dogs hunting breeds less susceptible to poison than others. Unfortunately, dogs are most often bitten on the head and neck as a result of their attempts to explore closer or to catch a snake that does not attack itself. Bites on the tongue and lips are common. Symptoms of envenomation are observed in 97% of dogs bitten, although mortality from pit viper venom is low, accounting for less than 5% of cases (Sutton et al 2011).

The first signs of poisoning can be noticed 15-20 minutes after the bite. Swelling, redness and tenderness develop in the affected area. If you manage to find the immediate site of the bite, then you can see two scarlet dots there - traces of poisonous teeth. In a third of bitten dogs, this is all there is to it, although in most dogs (about 70%), in addition to this, lethargy, drooling, increased body temperature and heart rate are also observed, sometimes shortness of breath occurs, and vomiting is possible. Only in 5% of cases were complications such as breathing problems, cardiac activity, loss of consciousness, convulsions, renal dysfunction, liver dysfunction, hemorrhage and shock (Sutton et al 2011).

First aid:

Most importantly, don't panic. Most effective help What you can do is get your dog to the vet quickly.

The animal must be provided with complete rest and limited movement, which will significantly slow down the absorption of the poison. If possible, carry him in your arms or calmly lead him to the car. The effectiveness of actions such as suctioning out the venom, applying bandages and washing is negligible or virtually non-existent, and you will only waste valuable time and, on the contrary, risk introducing infection and speeding up the absorption of the venom (Gupta 2011; Ahmed et al 2008; Alberts & LoGalbo 2004 ) DO NOT apply a tourniquet, DO NOT cut the wounds, DO NOT cauterize, DO NOT use solutions containing alcohol (either internally or externally), etc. - this is not only useless, but DANGEROUS. Often it is the consequences of such “first aid” methods that cause complications and fatal outcome, and not the snake bite itself.

Unless it slows down getting the dog to the doctor, then the bite site can be treated with an antiseptic, alcohol-free(for example, chlorhexidine or just a warm soapy solution).

If delivery to the doctor is greatly delayed, then you can apply a loose bandage to the affected area (not a tourniquet!) and ice to relieve swelling and pain for a short period of time. The animal should be in the shade. It is necessary to provide the dog with plenty of fluids. If possible, you can give the dog an antihistamine or inject it (for example, Tavigil, Suprastin 0.5 mg/kg). As for the use of corticosteroids, such as prednosolone, according to the results of some studies, it is not effective and may even have negative effect in the treatment of snake venom poisoning (Gupta 2011; Brandeker et al 2015). Before using any medications consult your veterinarian.

Snake serum is used only in specialized institutions and is not commercially available, as it requires special care when calculating the dosage and has a very high risk of developing allergic reaction. If you somehow come into contact with this drug, DO NOT use it yourself.

Monitor the dog's condition - if absolutely necessary, be ready to perform artificial respiration. The most important thing is to try to deliver the animal to the hospital as quickly as possible for qualified treatment. veterinary care. Only a doctor can correctly assess your dog’s condition and prescribe treatment. 96-97% of dogs have a period full recovery(including resolution of swelling) is about 5 days, although it can last from 24 hours to 30 days (Sutton et al 2011).

In summer and autumn, it’s always nice to go out into nature with your favorite pets, into the forest to pick mushrooms, or just for a walk. Among dog owners there are many hunters who hunt professionally. However, in nature, dangers always await us all. It never hurts to be extra careful and attentive, especially in relation to your beloved dog.

In addition to the threat of attack by ticks and fleas (which can be prevented by timely treatment with insectoacaricidal preparations), there is a threat snake bite. For central Russia these are most often vipers, however, depending on climate zone, it could be a cobra or a viper.

Danger of a viper bite depends on several factors: on the size of the snake - vipers usually reach a length of 50 - 75 cm. The larger the snake, the larger its poisonous glands, the more quantity secreted poison; on the size and weight of the dog: a smaller dog is more sensitive to the effects of poison than a large one or, for example, an adult, due to the faster and more complete absorption of poison in the body with a small volume and mass; depending on the amount of poison released: the viper attacks only a living target, mainly mice, voles, sometimes moles and lizards. She hunts from ambush, waiting for the prey to approach and biting it with lightning speed. Then he calmly awaits the action of the poison. A snake will never attack first; its bite will most often be a consequence of defense. Perhaps he will accidentally step on the snake’s tail or begin to chase it out of hunting interest. In addition, the danger of a bite depends on the location of the bite: the most dangerous is a bite to the neck and tongue, which, with the development of tissue swelling, can cause suffocation and rapid death of the animal! If, when a snake bites, the poison immediately enters a large main vessel ( jugular vein, carotid artery in the area of ​​the lateral surface of the neck), then a sharp and more severe one develops, which can also lead to death.

A viper bite is accompanied by the development of a local pain reaction, spreading hemorrhagic edema, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and loss of orientation in space. The volume of tissue in the edema area increases 1.5-2 times. There are many red blood cells in the edematous fluid, which indicates increased permeability vascular walls. IN severe cases Possible cardiac dysfunction, tachycardia. Occurred at the beginning elevated temperature body is replaced by a decrease in body temperature, the development of toxic nephropathy with the appearance of traces of blood in the urine (fresh red blood cells), necrotic areas may develop in place of hemorrhagic blisters, and a decrease in blood pressure. In the pathogenesis of poisoning by the venom of the common viper important role play released in the body under the influence of poison physiologically active substances: histamine, serotonin, bradykinin (inflammatory mediators), causing pain and lowering blood pressure. When these snakes bite, they damage blood vessels not only in the affected area, but in all internal organs(lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, brain), where tissue edema and many small hemorrhages are also found.

Painting poisoning with gyurza poison similar to that of a viper: includes severe pain at the site of the bite, the development of hemorrhagic edema, which in severe cases reaches very big size, tissue necrosis is often observed. Common: weakness, nausea, shortness of breath, disturbances in the blood coagulation system up to disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, development of bleeding, damage to the heart muscle and kidneys. Almost all of the hemorrhagic activity of the poison is due to the action of serine proteinases (enzymes).

Cobra venom- neurotoxic, disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses from the endings of motor nerves to muscles, and in the central nervous system and nerve ganglia - from some nerve cells to others. It is felt at the site of the cobra bite burning pain, slight local swelling, but the skin color remains unchanged, there are no hemorrhages, blisters, blue discoloration or other changes. In the next few minutes after a cobra bite, a sharp muscle weakness, loss of coordination of movements, unsteady gait, followed by general paralysis of the motor muscles. Paralysis always begins at the site of the bite and gradually spreads towards the head: ascending paralysis. In severe cases, paralysis extends to the muscles of the face, pharynx and larynx. Swallowing and movement are impaired eyeballs, ptosis (drooping of the eyelids) develops. Reflexes are inhibited, pain and tactile sensitivity are sharply reduced (coma). Death occurs from respiratory arrest. Thus, the clinic resembles the effect of muscle relaxants.

The most important thing to remember is that the increase in symptoms of poisoning occurs very quickly and you cannot delay in helping the animal!

It is very good if the owner sees that the dog has been bitten by a snake, or the dog has been fighting with a snake. Perhaps the animal will try to attract attention by barking or unusually excited behavior in the area where it detects the snake. However, this is not always the case and most often the owner notices the dog’s unusual condition when the poison has already begun to act and symptoms appear. clinical symptoms poisoning of the animal's body.

Most often, when fighting with a snake, the dog is bitten in the area of ​​the limbs, neck, head, tip of the nose, even the tongue.

If you notice unusual behavior, loss of orientation in space, shortness of breath, restlessness, lameness in a dog, then it is likely that this is a consequence of the action of the snake’s venom. In such a situation, you should not panic.

The animal should be restrained and not allowed to move much, as increased muscle work and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) lead to an even faster spread of poison throughout the body. Immobilization helps to significantly slow down the spread of poison. Snake venoms spread throughout the body primarily through the lymphatic tract rather than the bloodstream. It is known that the outflow of lymph from a stationary limb is insignificant. Therefore, when immobilizing the bitten limb general symptoms poisoning develops very slowly and does not reach a high degree of severity, but as movements increase, signs of poisoning increase sharply Better a dog carry it in your arms to your car or home. It should also be kept in a fixed position lying on its side; it is better to cover the animal with a warm blanket or blanket, since the body temperature may decrease due to the action of the poison.

It is difficult to immediately find the bite site in a dog due to its fur. However, the animal should be carefully examined and try to find the bite area (neck, limbs, nose, tongue). If more than 10-15 minutes have not passed since the bite, then it is possible to try to squeeze out as much blood with poison as possible through the wounds. In these cases, the reference literature advises making incisions in the area of ​​the bite, but this is unsafe and, being in a state of stress, you can easily damage important vessels or touch the tendons of the animal (on the limbs), which can lead to the development of infection and even more irreversible consequences .

If you can find the bite site, the wound can be treated with hydrogen peroxide. Under no circumstances should alcohol-containing liquids be used to treat a wound; they contribute to the rapid spread of poison. Moreover, you should not give your dog alcohol or vodka!

Applying a tight pressure bandage or tourniquet above the bite site is also unsafe, since disruption of tissue blood flow can lead to severe consequences, ischemia and necrosis of soft tissues. Absorption of the poison will pass through the deep bone veins, and prolonged constriction of the limb increases the primary damage, and also promotes the combination of the poison with the products of tissue metabolism, and after removing such a tourniquet, a sharp deterioration in the condition is noted. However, it is recommended to apply a lymphatic tourniquet: a bandage 2-4 cm wide, applied loosely, so that a finger fits quite freely between the skin and the bandage. Such a tourniquet stops lymph circulation and blood flow in the superficial veins. It is also recommended to apply ice to the area of ​​the bite and the development of swelling, also in order to slow down the blood flow and have an analgesic effect.

It is possible to administer at home antihistamines( , ). However, it is not advisable independent use other drugs without intervention veterinarian. Without knowing the dosage, you can harm the animal.

Should be used very carefully snake serum. Any treatment requires a strict dosage of the drug, practical experience and professionalism. Thus, the dose of serum must correspond to the degree of poisoning. Exceeding it can cause the most serious consequences, with manifestations anaphylactic shock. Currently, intravenous serum is the only effective means at serious consequences bite by poisonous snakes. Such serotherapy should be carried out only within the walls medical institution. For greater effectiveness of treatment, it is also necessary to establish the type of snake that has bitten, which, however, is almost always problematic.

Therefore, you should take the animal to the clinic as soon as possible for treatment. qualified assistance specialists. If a snake bite is suspected, first of all, an intravenous catheter is urgently installed in the animal, blood tests are taken (a blood coagulogram is required!) To assess the extent of the damage, intensive infusion therapy in order to reduce intoxication and dehydration of the body, it is always carried out against the background of infusion symptomatic therapy, and antishock therapy. Apply antihistamines, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, diuretics, antibiotics wide range actions to prevent secondary infection after a bite. The results of therapy will also depend on how quickly and correctly first aid was provided after the bite, and how quickly the animal was taken to the clinic.

In conclusion, I would like to give some tips that may help avoid snake bites. Snakes are active during the breeding season, after emerging from hibernation and laying eggs. At this time, they move more actively in their habitats and thus the likelihood of meeting them increases. As a rule, in late summer and autumn, snake activity increases, so when going into the forest for a walk or hunting with a dog, try to avoid places where snakes are most likely to gather (rocky gorges, dense bushes). If you know what is in your geographic area or nearby summer cottage There are snakes, do not linger in such places with your dog, do not let him off the leash until you have passed the area where there is most likely a snake nest. And always be attentive to changes in your pet’s behavior or condition. If you suspect any malaise or illness, you should contact a veterinary clinic, not to mention emergency situations, such as a snake bite!

Health to you and your pets!

This can happen while hunting or while walking with any dog, and even more so with a Jagdterrier, which does not allow anything moving to pass through. Most berries bad experience doesn't teach you to ignore snakes, but that's the breed. Of course, when working on an animal, the dog will not be distracted by the snake, but from idleness or on a walk...

My yagd (a 3-year-old female) was bitten by a viper twice in one summer. Thanks to the dog, she found both vipers in the yard and garden where both the old woman and the small child were walking.

Both cases are bites to the face: nose and cheek. The first time, in June, I was bitten by a small young gray viper, the dose was apparently small. The dog is depressed, often lies down, but is cheerful. The muzzle became very swollen after 40 minutes, and there was slight swelling in the neck. They took him to the vet straight away, the journey took an hour and a half. They injected me with medicine (without serum), after a day I felt good, the swelling and edema went away the next day.

At the end of August there is a second viper, a large one. Immediately after the bite, Yagd couldn’t even rush at her, he immediately lay down, closed his eyes, had difficulty breathing, a swollen muzzle and a large sagging swelling of the neck. Veterinary clinic in 1.5 hours, medications (without serum). The condition has improved, but only slightly, - large swelling And bad breath. After 8 hours, go back to the vet for injections, and the next day for 30 minutes under a drip. The swelling and swelling finally subsided only after 4-5 days.

In the Moscow region, the most likely encounter is the common viper (black or gray, depending on the habitat). They are most common in peat bogs, swamps and floodplains in the north (Dmitrovsky, Taldomsky districts) and eastern regions. For an adult healthy person the bite is not fatal, especially to the leg. Dangerous for people with cardiac diseases, low weight (children), in the chest area, neck, left arm.

There is a lot of very contradictory advice on the Internet and literature on how to help a dog with snakebite(give - do not give alcohol, cut do not cut the bite site, apply a tourniquet, what drugs to administer.)
Below is Aibolit’s advice, in our opinion, the most qualified. This first aid should be provided if it is not possible to deliver the dog to to a good veterinarian within an hour and a half.

Snake serum – is it dangerous?

Any treatment requires a strict dosage of the drug, practical experience and professionalism. Thus, the dose of serum must correspond to the degree of poisoning. Exceeding it can cause the most serious consequences, with manifestations of anaphylactic shock. Until recently, doctors paid almost no attention to the degree of poisoning of the patient, prescribing him standard treatment. It could turn out to be more dangerous than the bite itself. Currently, intravenously administered serum is the only effective remedy for the serious consequences of a poisonous snake bite. Such serotherapy should be carried out only within the walls of a medical institution. A contraindication to the administration of antisnake serum in those bitten by a common viper is only the development of anaphylactic shock when 0.1-0.25 ml of serum is administered due to an allergy to horse protein.

Serum against the venom of the common horse viper, purified concentrated liquid, is available in ampoules containing 1 therapeutic dose 150 AE, in a set that includes an ampoule with serum, a sterile syringe, a sterile needle, a scarifier or vulcanite separation disc, instructions for using the serum.

Consequences of a viper bite for a dog’s body.

At the first moment it is felt strong pain at the site of the bite. It can be difficult to notice a quickly escaping snake. A bite is indicated by two small red dots (sometimes just one if the snake has a broken tooth or the bite was caused by a side blow). Soon a purple or bluish color, turning into more or less pronounced swelling. Later, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision may appear. A dog bitten by a viper usually whines in pain. If a dog happens sharp decline strength, or she returns lame, then it is quite possible to think about a bite from a poisonous snake.

First aid for a dog with a snake bite

A viper bite should always be treated with the utmost seriousness. While waiting for help, the dog is kept still and calm. If possible, you can wash the bite site, for example, with hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate, but in no case with alcohol or ether, which promote the absorption of poison and at the same time are completely harmless to most bacteria in the cavity of the snake’s mouth.

Drugs

Potassium permanganate solution 2% or hydrogen peroxide - rub around the bite

1. Novocaine in ampoules 0.5% -10.0 ml
2. Suprastin in ampoules 1.0 ml
3. Prednisolone 0.5 ml - 1 ml
4. Saline solution 30.0 ml
5. Vitamin GAMAVIT 2 -3 ml.
6. Sulphocamphocaine 2 ml. or Caffeine 1ml

Syringes (9 pieces): 2 syringes - 5.0; 4 syringes - 2.0; 3 syringes - 10.0 (all drugs must be drawn only into separate syringes!)

Procedure for providing first aid to a dog with a snake bite

1. Novocaine blockade. To do this, Novocain 0.5% must be taken into a syringe and injected into the bite site at three points - 10 ml for 3 injections, if swelling has not yet formed, then inject, retreating 3-4 cm from the bite site; if swelling has already formed, then inject with Novocaine at border of edema.

2. Suprastin 1.0 ml, or Diphenhydramine, intramuscularly - antiallergic

3. Prednisolone 0.5 ml - 1 ml. and give an injection intramuscularly. anti-inflammatory

4. Fill a syringe with 10.0 ml of saline solution and inject it subcutaneously into the withers (if the dog is vomiting and loose stool, it is recommended to repeat the injection of Phys. once or twice. 10.0 ml solution at intervals of 10-15 minutes). Saline solution is administered to prevent dehydration of the body.

5. Vitamin GAMAVIT 2 -3 ml. PC

6. Sulphocamphocaine 2 ml. or Caffeine 1 ml. PC. stimulation of the heart

Carry the dog to the car in your arms.
Next, you need to take the dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as soon as possible. The condition may be extremely severe and your dog will need to detoxify. This is a dropper with glucose or saline. solution and the introduction of drugs that will protect the pancreas (kantrikan), liver (essentiale), in parallel, sodium thiosulfate, riboxin, vitamin C, baralgin, cocarboxylase, heparin, furosemide, suprastin, sulfocamphocaine are administered. All these drugs will be prescribed by a doctor, and this will depend on the condition of the animal B rehabilitation period a bitten dog must be supported drinking plenty of fluids. For decreasing. for swelling, give diuretics (furosemide)

What you should never do!

You should not give alcohol, tea, coffee, as they stimulate the heart, but you must give water to avoid dehydration. Never cut, cauterize or suck on a wound. Previously prescribed corticotherapy and heparin (for local use) do not in any way prevent the development of edema and necrosis! It is also not recommended to apply a tourniquet as it disrupts normal blood flow, which can cause irreversible consequences.

Controversial issues

Are corticosteroids indicated for the treatment of snakebites?

Many clinicians recommend including corticosteroids in the treatment regimen for shock caused by a snakebite. Corticosteroids inhibit phospholipase A cascade arachidonic acid, prevent complement activation, inhibit chemotaxis and activation of leukocytes. They increase the sensitivity of receptors to catecholamines, which leads to bronchodilation. Steroids also reduce the permeability of the capillary wall and reduce leukocyte aggregation. The arguments against the use of corticosteroids are based on results of their use in other forms of septic shock, when the prescription of corticosteroids increased the severity of the disease and increased mortality. The main problem with the use of corticosteroids is the decrease in the body's resistance to bacterial infections by reducing the immune response. Experimental and retrospective animal studies have shown high efficiency steroids in the treatment of snake bites, and to date there have been no contraindications to their use in this situation.