• Snakebites (Goats and Dogs)
• Entropion

SNAKEBITES (GOATS and DOGS)

Some snakebites are worse than others, but you likely won't know what kind of snake caused the bite. Treat all snakebites as if they are life threatening to goats.

Snakebites close to the heart are usually the most dangerous. Head bites are not as severe, because there is less blood supply to carry the venom to the rest of the body. Leg and body bites cause lots of swelling. Swelling will spread over the body for several days as the bloodstream spreads the toxin. A snakebite above the hoof will cause swelling to occur up the leg and across the chest.

Note: If any breed or crossbreed of dog is bitten, you need a vet, especially with rattlesnake bites. In my experience, dogs cannot survive rattlesnake bites without vet help. A dog needs snake anti-venom administered immediately.

Dosages cited below are based upon a 100 pound goat. You must adjust upwards or downwards based upon the weight of the goat that is being treated.

1) Locate the bite and clean it thoroughly with a disinfecting solution like Betadine. If you can't find the fang marks, move on to the next steps.

2) Do NOT apply a tourniquet. Do NOT bandage the bite(s). Leave bites open and uncovered so drainage can occur. If the tissue begins to die, apply Trypzyme Spray (vet prescription) to help slough off necrotic (dead) tissue. Copperhead snakebites are usually less poisonous than rattlesnakes; rattlesnake bites usually cause necrosis (tissue death surrounding the bite).

3) To reduce inflammation and swelling, I administer 8 cc Dexamethasone IM (into the muscle) on the first day. On days 2 through 5, I give 7 cc, 5 cc, 3 cc, and 1 cc Dexamethasone respectively. "Dex" is a vet prescription which you should always have on hand. This cortico-steroid has many uses, but should never be administered casually. Dex induces labor in a pregnant doe. Dex should always be stepped down when dosing and never stopped "cold turkey." Buy a 100 ml bottle and keep it with your vet supplies.

4) Administer the antihistamine Benadryl orally every twelve hours, totaling at least four dosages. WalMart's Equate brand is called

"Diphedryl Allergy." The tablets are 25 mg and you must administer 1 mg per pound, so a 100 pound goat gets 100 mg orally per dosing (4 tablets).

4) Inject 5 cc of penicillin SQ daily for a minimum of 5 to 7 days. I give penicillin SQ over the ribs, using an 18 gauge needle.

5) If fever is present, I give 1 cc per 100 lbs bodyweight of Banamine IM or SQ every 12 hours until the goat's rectal temperature is back to normal (101.5* to 103.5* F).

6) Give the goat lots of fluids, preferably ReSorb or other electrolytes to flush toxins from the body. Don't be alarmed if soft feces occurs. See my article on Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a symptom of other problems and can be a way for the body to cleanse itself of toxins.

7) Green leaves, fresh grass hay, and even some legume hays are desirable. A snake-bitten goat is not likely to eat grain.

If a veterinarian is available, he can give the goat an IV solution of 10 cc of DMSO diluted in 60 cc Sterile Saline Solution. Do NOT try this yourself. IV administration of medications is best left to trained professionals, especially when DMSO is involved.

If the goat survives the first few hours, it is likely to survive the

snakebite.

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, Onion Creek Ranch, Texas 5.1.26