MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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The Odds catching Up
Having lived in the desert for over 40 years in El Norte and 30 in Baja, I've come into contact with more Rattlesnakes than I can remember, some right
outside the door.
And, I've killed every damned one I could.
Even with all the near-misses, I NEVER considered it likely that one of my dogs would get bit.
Monday a.m. the wife was feeding the dogs (and Cat) when she YELLED for me.
Our !0-year old's face was hugely swollen on the right-side with her eye almost swollen shut.
Just a couple hours earlier, she'd been fine.
Rushed her to the Vet. Later that afternoon after they got back the toxicology, they felt it was a Rattlesnake Bite. Since the swelling was
spreading, they asked if we wanted them to administer an Anti-Venom shot which was VERY expensive.
Absolutely.
After two nights in the hospital (and $1520 later), she's back home. Apparently fine. Still Swollen, but it's going down.
The Anti-Venom shot was $697.
I'm told that the Yearly Snake Vaccine is $36. Two shots the first year and one yearly booster.
Our other Pup goes in Tomorrow.
BTW, although it's only good for the U.S. (far as I know), there's a payment option through www.carecredit.com that offers "Interest Free" if paid within Six or Twelve months. The gimmick is, that like all such, the 26.9
percent interest goes back to Day One if you exceed the time.
But, if you were going to pay cash anyway, it's a good deal.
They also advertise straight credit options at 14.9 percent.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65282
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wow.. good move and interesting info. too!
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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I'm glad your old timer is OK! And of course the cost really isn't too important when dealing with family. A couple weeks ago my 6 yr. old was barking
and it was dark so I came out with the flash light and looked around a bit and there was a rattler about 10' away. Like your dog mine really likes to
get his nose into stuff so I'm lucky he didn't get hit. I'm hoping he knows better than to mess with snakes now be he does get the the shot every
April. I'm told that it is at it's most potent 30 days after and that's about right for the first active snakes down here.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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jakecard
Nomad
Posts: 141
Registered: 7-13-2011
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Happy to hear that your girl is on the mend. What a nightmare.
Both of my dogs got hit in the face by a single copperhead, right in front of me, a few weeks back. Never seen anything strike so fast. From sighting
to biting literally took seconds.
I wasn't aware that there was a preventative rattle snake inoculation. You can bet I will be looking into that.
Thanks for the information.
If it ain't scorpions it's snakes. What next!
Jake
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
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Glad to hear that your beloved one is going to be OK. Thanks for the information on the antivenom treatment, I'll have to look into it once I get
back.
A ranch I frequent had a large dog get bit by a rattler in the leg. He lost much of the flesh for about 8 inches up and down the leg, bare bone was
exposed. Surprisingly, two years later I couldn't tell that it had ever happened. I, like you, wouldn't want to leave such a thing to chance and
strong genes.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Russ
I'm glad your old timer is OK! And of course the cost really isn't too important when dealing with family. A couple weeks ago my 6 yr. old was barking
and it was dark so I came out with the flash light and looked around a bit and there was a rattler about 10' away. Like your dog mine really likes to
get his nose into stuff so I'm lucky he didn't get hit. I'm hoping he knows better than to mess with snakes now be he does get the the shot every
April. I'm told that it is at it's most potent 30 days after and that's about right for the first active snakes down here. |
Russ,
Where can you get the anti-venom in the Mulege area? People who have put their dogs through Rattlesnake Avoidance training say that it is very
effective. I haven't done that but it is a worry, both in Mulege and in the Northern CA foothills.
Thanks,
Tony
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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there are people who can teach your dog to stay away from snakes The term they use "DeSnaked" they use a rattler that has been milked and defanged to
teach the dog to stay away
Here's a link I just pulled up on the Net.
http://brittanys.com/snake.htm
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goldhuntress
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 1-28-2010
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Wow, I'm so glad she ok. One of my biggest fears when I'm in Baja. I do the vaccine and the rattlesnake avoidance training for my dog. I posted about
it awhile ago. It's a shock treatment and it's $75, takes 15 min. They recommend a yearly refresher. Are you in Baja or the US. I'd love to know what
vet in Baja had anti venom.
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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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Wow, I'm glad that your dog is going to be OK. Our Baja neighbors who live in Arizona in their "real lives" have taken their dog to the rattlesnake
avoidance class and are really happy with the training.
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Wife screaming
I told my wife that if she ever sees a rattlesnake in our yard or around our dogs, the only thing she should be screaming for is more ammo!!!!! 
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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We get our dog the shot every year. Our vet says it is kind of like an insurance policy because the anti venom is so expensive. I always feel better
about doing it after I hear a story like yours. thanks for sharing and I am glad your dog is OK. Nancy
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vandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 10-10-2003
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I reported seeing a 5-foot red diamondback to my friends.
One asked "So did you kill it? I need a hat band."
I replied, "No, I wouldn't kill one for your stupid hat."
Another asked, "Did you kill it? It might bite my dog."
I replied, "Hell, there are lots of dogs in Mexico. This is the only snake I've seen this year. Of course I didn't kill it."
My third friend asked, "Did you kill it? It might bite one of the local children."
"Hell", I replied, "there are lots of kids in Mexico....."
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Mood: Peacefull
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vandy
I reported seeing a 5-foot red diamondback to my friends.
One asked "So did you kill it? I need a hat band."
I replied, "No, I wouldn't kill one for your stupid hat."
Another asked, "Did you kill it? It might bite my dog."
I replied, "Hell, there are lots of dogs in Mexico. This is the only snake I've seen this year. Of course I didn't kill it."
My third friend asked, "Did you kill it? It might bite one of the local children."
"Hell", I replied, "there are lots of kids in Mexico....." |
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Kind of Funny
I've ALWAYS killed the Rattlers and, often, my wife has commented on it. My answer is "THAT's one that won't bite the Dogs".
While it's bothered her, since the incident Monday, my wife goes out into the yard with a round-nosed shovel each time she lets the dogs out.
"What are you going to do with that" ?
She says "I'm going to KILL any damned snake I find".
It's all a matter of priorities.
Since talking to them yesterday, two of my neighbors have scheduled their dogs for the vaccine.
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Thanks for the info... just thought the dog died.. I'm really old school...
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Yes, Our Dogs Are Family
And you pay through the nose when your family is hurt unexpectedly.
The anti-venom vaccine sounds wonderful; is there a way to find a less costly source?
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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