Bees and Snakes - Page 1

We do a lot of hiking with our two GSDs.  However, the area where we're thinking of going (and have gone quite a bit in the past) seems to have reports of a lot more yellow jacket activity and sightings of copperhead snakes.  I haven't heard of any encounters with pets - only with humans.  Neither of which I'm too keen on running into anyway.  We had a run in on one hike with a yellow jacket nest that my terrier stirred up.  That was not fun.

Is there anything maybe we should take as a precautionary measure for bees and snakes?  The one time we did encounter the yellow jackets - they did not bother my female GSD who was maybe 6 months old at that time aside from annoying her and her snapping at them.  They didn't appear to sting her.  Unfortunately, they were all over my terrier.  Thankfully,  we were by some water to submerge her in and my husband was able to get quite a few of them off of her with his shirt.  She didn't appear to have any reaction to them at that time but they were all over her fur.

Can dogs be allergic to bee stings like humans?  What would be the best course of action should a snake bite occur (aside from get to the vet ASAP)?  We love to hike and the dogs enjoy it so much but I'd hate to think of anything happening to them and me not being as prepared as I could be.

Thanks for any input.

I don't know how or why, but wasps and bees tend to not like the regular scented BOUNCE static dryer sheets. I keep a few tucked into the pockets of my shirt and pants--or pinned to the outside of my shirt if I do not have pockets-- while I am working outside. I also carry an epi-pen, which is a dose of epinephrine for allergic reactions), as I am highly allergic to bee stings.

I would assume a dog could be just as allergic. Benadryl is a great idea (the liquid children's type is best and dose it by weight), possibly hydrocortizone cream for stings if there is no extreme reaction.

The best way to avoid contact is to keep your dogs on a lead so that you can see what they are getting into prior to getting into it (including snakes--yikes!!! I would NOT suggest letting your dog get bitten to build up antibodies. Abhay has been fortunate that his dogs have not died. You also might check with your vet and find out if they carry antivenom (also antivenin) for your particular type of snake. Also, if your dog DOES get bitten, try if possible, to take a photo of the offender so they know what they are dealing with.

Just some common sense advice.

VomFelsenHof, I hope you are not saying I purposely let my dogs get bit in order for them to build up an immunity?

I am not lucky at all. If you research, you will see that snake bites are almost never fatal regarding canines. The first 8hrs post bite are the most critical.

I have lived and worked in Rattler infested areas my whole life. I know about it, because me and my dogs live it.

Abhay & VomFelsenHof -

Thank you both for your input.  I'll be making a trip tonight to Wal-Mart for the Benadryl and Bounce sheets (at least my clothes will smell  nice)

Just curious - where do you purchase injectable Vitamin C?  I would take a bee sting any day over a snake bite.  I'm not a big fan of snakes - poisonous or non poisonous.  They just creep me out.  Eck!

I walked up on a copperhead about three weeks ago , right in front of my concrete kennels at 2:00 am in the morning...Had kennel lights on and saw it ,

I backed out of the reach of it,and grabbed a hoe and ended its life,,,,,,I keep benedyrl and vit c both ester and reg in mega doses....'

The vet gave me a syrnge in the frig for snake bites, but I never looked to see what it is....

I emailed Veronica and told her I was still shaking and I now wear my knee high rubber boots , after dark..

This was the 8 th copperhead in three year that I have sidestepped....one puppy two year ago got bit after dark,,,,,I just gave it benedyrl....

I am amazed that me or the dogs have not gotten bit, as much as I am out at night.....I started using my riding lawnmower to go about at night instead of walking.....scares the daylights out of me....and u forget until you see one again after a long time...I dont go near my creek , as Ive been told there are cottonmouths near them......Last year a ratsnake , was up at the house, and a King snake a few days later.....the ratsnake left and looked at me ,like Im the king here......and the King snake had his head in a hole of a old stump    I killed him  not knowing what kind he was.....like I told my kids...any snake on my property is a dead snake...

My neighbor down the road said that was her rat snake that lives in her barn   He was about 6 foot long and he acted like he could talk  , turned around and looked at me around a tree trunk.....as if to say...."dont follow me.." and I didnt.......

I can get the Injectable C, OTC in TJ.  I don't really know if one can purchase it from a pharmacy in the States? I'm certain any DVM could get it. If one googles Injectable Vit C, there has to be some online Pharmacies who would offer it.

If it makes anyone feel better, snakes can and do control the amount of venom that they inject.  They would much rather use it for ommobilizing their prey than in defense so are not likely to deliver a fatal dose, if any venom at all.  That being said, the bite of a rattler, cottonmouth or copperhead, (the three venemous snakes found in the U.S), should be taken very seriously in either man or dog.  Prompt medical attention is required

Abhay,

No, I was not insinuating that you purposely let your dogs get bit by snakes. I wouldn't ADVISE it as a way of boosting immunity was my point.  ;)  Some people need very direct advice, and since you never know who may read the thread later on, I always try to post with the future in mind, and make clear the point that it's not advisable, in my opinion. (It would be similar to someone reading "My dogs interact with dogs who have parvo all the time. They get parvo and then they're immune to it."  Yes, it is true, but that is not the best way to build up immunity to the parvovirus--a vaccination is a much better idea.)

I hope you understand, and no insult was intended. And yes, in my opinion, you've been lucky that your dogs have not died (the first bite on those "some" of your dogs can be lethal!)

take care,

-Melanie

I'm not going to change anyone's beliefs by posting on a message board. A person asked about something I have a lot of experience with, so I replied.

Ive been lucky for over 40yrs with my dogs getting bit by Rattlers. Coyotes are also very, very lucky, as they get bit by Rattlers all the time as well.

As a small boy, I would watch my father snap a Rattler's head off by using it like a bull whip. I can also dispatch a Rattler barehanded with ease. I walked trains and prairies for 30yrs. At night the snakes lay inside the rail as the rail keeps warm at night from the hot sun during the day. Rattlers also love to curl up around switches.

A Rattler upsets me no more than a spider.

I'm sure your all right and I'm full of it. lol after all what would poor Abhay know.