WARNING: VERY GRAPHIC PHOTOS & VIDEOS

 

Rottweiler ~ Snake Bite, Copperhead

 

 

Rottweiler Snake Bite (Copperhead)

This 2 yr old female Rottweiler was bitten by a poisonous snake over the course of a Monday night and discovered early Tuesday morning with severe swelling to the right side of her neck. A call was placed to the veterinarian and the details of the situation explained. The vet suspected a spider or bee bite and placed the dog on an antihistamine. (Benadryl orally every 8hrs)

The following morning the swelling had increased and the hematoma had begun to "leak" large quantities of blood and serum. A visit to the veterinarian was quickly scheduled.  CBC blood tests were pulled and showed an elevation of white blood cell count and a well below red blood cell count of 29. (a level of 12 would necessitate a blood transfusion). The dog was administered a general anesthesia, and the area was shaved for better viewing. Upon closer examination the location of a snake bite was clearly visible. Given that the only poisonous snake in the geographical region is a Copperhead, a diagnosis of a Copperhead bite was made. The bottom of the hemotoma was lanced to allow good drainage, the wound thoroughly flushed/cleansed and the dog was sent home on Clavamox 625mg twice daily.

The dog will be reexamined and a CBC pulled to make comparison to the initial test in 48 hrs. Due to necrotic (dead) tissue and skin, the skin will likely sluff (fall off) requiring a surgical cleanup of the area and closure of the wound.

Video of from the 1st vet visit, Day 2

 

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Veterinary re-evaluation, Day 4

Dog under sedation. Upon re-evaluation it was determined that the necrotic (dead) tissue could be surgically removed and closure made to the wound. CBC levels had come into normal ranges. The main risks at this point was that further tissue could be destroyed allowing the wound to reopen and infection. Additional surgery may be needed. The dog will be rechecked in 72 hrs.

Cleaning of the snakebite wound, removal of necrotic tissue, and closure with drainage. WARNING: This video is very graphic