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cykakris · 08-03-2003, 06:34 PM

We returned today from our second outing in the Overlander. We wanted one last long weekend getaway before the kids start school on Wednesday. We decided to take our miniature dachshund on her first camping trip. All was going well until 1 pm Saturday when she was bitten by a snake. (One good note: thank goodness it wasn't one of the kids, they were walking her at the time).

To summarize the rest of the weekend....no vets open in the immediate vicinity. Had to drive an hour to the emergency vet, who suspected a copperhead bite and treated her with a couple of shots of Benadryl. Got back to campsite around 6, looked as though she was improving. By bedtime at 11, she looked much worse. Made another trip to the emergency vet, who decided to keep her. Back to campsite at 4:00 am (no sleep yet!) Woke up this morning to a steady, pouring rain so got very wet while preparing to leave. Called vet as soon as we had a cell signal....she was not improving and they recommended an antivenin treatment (which is $450). They also now suspect it may have been a rattlesnake bite. We opted for the treatment but it required she stay another night.

We have to drive back up there tomorrow to pick her up. We did get good news earlier, the vet called and said she is responding well to the treatment. I hate to see the final bill.

Hope everyone else's weekend was much better!

Cyndi

**Stefrobrts** · 08-03-2003, 06:57 PM

My goodness, what a terrible adventure! I hope she recovers and is %100 again soon. I'll bet she won't be eager to go on another trip though! Glad the kids didn't get bit too. That's scary!

BTW, you've probably thought of it now, but we keep a fully stocked first aid kit, with stuff for people and dogs in the trailer, just in case. Benadryl is part of the kit. It might help a little if something happens and you're far from help, though as we learn in first aid class, in all circumstances the best thing to do is to get to a professional as soon as possible.

cykakris · 08-03-2003, 07:08 PM

I have the beginnings of a first aid kit but it did not contain Benadryl. I was able to get one from a neighbor but her mouth and nose were so swollen I wasn't able to get it in her mouth without causing her a lot of pain (the bite was on her nose).
I will definitely be adding Benadryl to my kit.

I told my husband the poor thing will probably never want to get near the AS again!

Pahaska · 08-03-2003, 07:22 PM

Saturday two weeks ago, I came home and found our diabetic old cat in the back of our closet in convulsions. I rushed to the vet at up to 90 MPH, only to find that he was unreachable for a couple of hours. From there, I went to the Pet Emergency Hospital which fortunately was only a few miles away. The cat was hypoglycemic and his blood sugar was so low it didn't read on the tester. In went the glucose drip ($100+). By an hour later, he was up and eating., but he had another hypoglycemic attack that night.

He came home in 2 days, after we paid a $600 bill, but he is well worth the cost after 13 years with us. He was mighty confused for a few days, but he is fine now. I figure he lost about 8 of his 9 lives that day.

KIMILI · 08-03-2003, 07:53 PM

Hello Pet lovers!

we have two dogs who are practically our kids.

One of them, the pure Husky was born with a Gastro Esophogitis (not sure of the spelling of that), which his previous owner never treated. Since we got him we dealt with all kinds of vets and specialists. Let's just say that the total of the bills wiped our savings.

That's when we found out about Pet Insurance and immediately covered both our dogs.

The first insurance carrier always had an excuse for not paying certain services. So we switched to a more expensive and - on paper - more comprehensive carrier. PetInsurance.com

Terrible experience!
Great concept and polite customer care who unfortunately promise and give information which turns out to be false: their slogan claims they pay in 5 bussiness days!!...then they excuse themselves by saying they're computers were down, didn't get the mail...etc.

We have a whopping 9 legitimate claims open with them. It is over 6 months and we're still waiting for our $!!

Needless to say, we've cancelled this service and are now back to square one.

When I went hiking in places inhabited by snakes, I always carried a first aid kit containing anti-venom for the most threatening snakes of that area. I got the venom from the local anti-poison center. Well, that was back home of course.

I'm not sure how that works here but I'll check.

Wish your puppy best of luck.
Cheers
Kimili

WayWard Wind · 08-03-2003, 08:05 PM

Yep---Pets are sometimes costly, but a responibilty when we bring them home. Some years ago late on a Sunday night returning home from a sled dog race, when things didn't "feel right". In looking out the side window I saw one of my biggest fears. Next to the truck was our trailer full of sled dogs. Needless to say the trailer ended up going over ( thank God no one happen to be passing ). The rest of the night was a nightmare, picking up the pieces in -20 degrees, injured dogs being treated & bandaged. The cost? Well it was a responibility we took on when we brought them home. As a result some of my best dogs lost some speed, but they were always ready to run when I wanted them too & for me, that's what counted. We were after all a team. Makes me sad to even think about it again. Pets---aren't they great?
Best,

Diana Langley · 08-03-2003, 08:36 PM

My dogs ARE my kids! We all hope they live a healthy and pain free life, but unfortunately, that is the rare exception.

The dog that I got as a 5 week old pup was diagnosed with two forms of cancer when she had just turned 10. she was given a 6 month prognosis.
Now, she had saved my life once so I owed her big time. I've spent $20k on her in the last two years.
There were cheaper options, but it involved amputation and chemotherapy.
Not a good quality of life for my best friend.
5 weeks of radiation, change of diet and suppliments, monthly follow ups from now on.

She's worth every penny and I have no regrets at all.

She turned 12 last month and is doing fine. We go to the park and play frisbee every day, and I hope she's still around for my trip to Texas this winter.

Ultradog · 08-03-2003, 08:38 PM

Sorry to hear about the misfortunes of your "Longnose".
And I'm very glad for you to hear he/she is coming around.
Funny but the first weekend I spent in my A/S with my dog
she jumped wrong or did something and ended up with a pinched nerve in her neck.
$250 later the Vet told me she'd be okay just needed a muscle relaxant and some anti inflamitory pills.
Yep, a guy will nearly tear his pants apart getting his wallet out if that'll save them.
Don't know what I'd do without my little Longnosed Pal.
George is a Rat Terrier.
Of course I tell her she's a Rat-Fink Terrier.
Doesn't matter much what I call her. That little stub of a tail
keeps wagging like there's no tomorrow.
Hope your's keeps wagging too.
Jerry

apple 1 · 08-04-2003, 07:13 AM

Like John Irwin we also have a diabetic cat who requires two shots of insulin a day, at 12 hour intervals. We were instructed by the vet to keep corn syrup handy in case the cat goes into hypoglycemic shock, of couse you still have to rush him to the vet. But he is such a great cat its worth it.

Jim

**Stefrobrts** · 08-04-2003, 10:13 AM

Cyndi, be sure and let us know how your girl's doing when you pick her up today. We're all hoping for the best!

Pahaska · 08-04-2003, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by apple 1
Like John Irwin we also have a diabetic cat who requires two shots of insulin a day, at 12 hour intervals. We were instructed by the vet to keep corn syrup handy in case the cat goes into hypoglycemic shock, of couse you still have to rush him to the vet. But he is such a great cat its worth it.
Jim

My wife is off to Michigan for a week, so two cats, insulin, syringes, my kayak, and I are off to the state park for a few days. They are a lot of company when I'm off by myself.

The trip to the Airstream Homecoming will just be myself and the 15-month old, non-diabetic cat. My wife is staying home with the old fellow. She doesn't like to give shots, but she does when she has to.

cykakris · 08-04-2003, 06:46 PM

Bailey is home and seems to be very glad to be here. We got a couple of little half-hearted tail wags today, so things are looking up a little. She is not quite out of the woods yet, there is a patch of skin on her muzzle that is dying so it is rather messy and of course very susceptible to infection. She is getting mega-doses of antibiotics that will hopefully ward off infection. The swelling has improved since this morning. She drank a little water and has eaten a little bit so that's always encouraging. She has an appointment with our regular veterinarian tomorrow to check things out.

Don't get me wrong with my first post, the money is no object when it comes to her. She is truly a loved member of our family and worth every penny it costs to get her well.

Kimili, thanks SOOOO much for posting your experience with PetInsurance.com. My husband had picked up a brochure in the vet's office and I was going to go on their website tonight and request a quote just in case we have future mishaps. Don't think I'll bother now!

Thanks for all of the well wishes, I'll keep you updated on her progress!

Cyndi

Astrodokk · 08-04-2003, 07:21 PM

Rescued two dogs from one day away of being destroyed at the pound. Seems like they knew it and were grateful. They had been together for 5 yrs. when the po gave them up. I didn't want to separate them. They were my Army buddies. When Baby was 13, I left for 2 weeks of duty. When I came back, she was almost dead from some infection she got after I left. My ex said that she had disappeared and thought she ran away, but I think she hid. They didn't get along. Tried to get a vet (Sunday). No emergency hospitals here. She was suffering and I couldn't stand it. My ex father in law who owns alot of animals and horses told me the best thing to do was to put her down myself. He gave me his pistol, and I had to do it. I cried alot. I vowed to let her boyfriend, Fred, (sorry Fred H.) to live to old age. He died in my arms three yrs. later, warts, blind and deaf, but boy could he smell food! He loved me to the end. I actually held him until he started getting stiff (a long time). I finally had to let go and bury him too. I told myself that I would not have a dog again for a very long time if ever. And I hated cats...until Silver the kitten came into my life. He's a COOL CAT. He loves me alot. Go figure.

PS sorry if this is too graphic..it's true, and thanks for letting me tell it here Airstreamers.

WolfSong · 08-04-2003, 08:16 PM

Dear Bailey,

I am sending my very best wishes to you for a full and speedy recovery! I hope you are out camping very soon.

Kira (BTW I am a Siberian Husky and thank goodness I have never been bitten by a snake! I was bitten on the nose by a bee once and that hurt real bad - can't image what a snake bite felt like!)

KIMILI · 08-05-2003, 01:01 PM

Our best wishes for a speedy recovery!

I guess we know who's going to be the pambered baby of the house now...

Dear Kira,
I'm Kiev, a copper Siberian Husky (male) and airstream lover - I jump right in! Hope to meet you at some rally or on the road soon.
Woof!

Cheers
Kimili

PS
Called petinsurance again! They're working on my refunds...It's months! No money yet!

cykakris · 08-25-2003, 07:54 PM

Three weeks later, you can hardly tell that Princess Bailey (as my daughters call her) ever had an encounter with a snake. She has made a full recovery!

It was rough going for the first week or so. Rattlesnake venom kills skin tissue so one whole side of her face and neck were covered with dead skin. The dead skin then sloughed off, at one point she had a gaping hole in her neck. (Sorry, I know it's gross). We were at the vet almost daily and she had to spend three nights there.

Once it began healing, it closed up very quickly. She now has a little scar on the side of her face and neck. It is barely visible. She is as active as ever and more spoiled than ever before!

I think she'll be game for a second camping trip in a few weeks. Hopefully she'll get to enjoy it this time!

**Stefrobrts** · 08-25-2003, 09:25 PM

Well, all hail Princess Bailey!

I'm so glad to hear she recovered so well, even though I'm sure that was a very difficult recovery for everyone involved - ick! I was actually thinking about her last week and wondering how she was doing, but I figured we'd hear from you again. Glad to hear she's doing so well.

Rattlesnake bites are one thing I'm very afraid of on the trail, but I have heard that their deadliness is somewhat exagerated by all the cowboy movies we've seen. I'm relieved that even after an initial mis-diagnosis they were able to sucessfully treat her.

Hope you all enjoy your next trip a lot more. Midnight trips to the emergency vet are no way to spend a camping trip!

RACRX · 08-26-2003, 07:37 AM

Way to go Bailey!!

Always love a happy ending when it comes to pets. Had that been one of my two pups, I would of done whatever it took, (as you did Cyndi), to ensure their recovery!! Dogs just seem to want to love their human companions no matter what, unconditionally. I know mine do.

Andre

Dave Jenkins · 08-26-2003, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stefrobrts
Well, all hail Princess Bailey!

[snip]

Rattlesnake bites are one thing I'm very afraid of on the trail, but I have heard that their deadliness is somewhat exagerated by all the cowboy movies we've seen

[snip]

Well, maybe yes, and maybe no.

We almost lost our son to a rattler bite a few years ago. 7 days in ICU, 11 drips running, multiple surgeries, skin grafts. 32 units of antivenin (at $275 a pop, I might add.) Not a fun time in his life. Or ours.

I'd say: just keep your healthy fear of rattlers - they certainly deserve it. OTOH, I wouldn't obsess over them, either - just be prudent where prudence is called for.

See you on down the road...

**Stefrobrts** · 08-26-2003, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Jenkins
We almost lost our son to a rattler bite a few years ago. 7 days in ICU, 11 drips running, multiple surgeries, skin grafts. 32 units of antivenin (at $275 a pop, I might add.) Not a fun time in his life. Or ours.

Yikes! Sounds like Bailey got off easy. Sorry to hear about your son, but glad it turned out ok.

I just meant, in the movies people get bit and die immediately, and then there's the old 'suck out the poison' drama, when really now they say you should just hike out and get to a doctor pronto. At least it is treatable, not an instant death sentance. Lets hope no one around here has to go through what your son did though!