Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:36 am

We encountered a poisonous "viper" snake in our woods and several other dog owners who let their dogs run loose have encountered them already.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Viper ... Szczepanek).jpg

Here is a website that shows a few photos of what they look like.

http://www.sammakkolampi.fi/lajit/kyy.html

If bitten a quick trip to the doctor or vet is a must. These are all over the Scandinavian woods in summer. So have to be very careful while in the woods or camp areas.

Here is a site in English. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus

Classic Finn

by **S. Heisley** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:59 pm

Poisonous snakes? Ewwwww! :frightened:

Here, in California, we have rattlers. People tell you just to walk heavy, so the ground will shake and they will most likely move out of your way. But, they also tell you to keep you eyes open; so, I guess it depends on how lazy or mean the rattler snake is feeling.

I have a sister who lives in Virginia. She has to contend with three different kinds of poisonous snakes: copperheads, water moccasins and rattlers. Nasty! I don't think I'd want to walk near the water, there.

by **Geron** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:38 pm

We have Copperheads and Rattle Snakes. The Water Moccasin is very rarely if ever found on the Piedmont Plateau and the Coral - never. (Elevation I presume?) which happens to cover my area.

I talked with my vet and she said Copperhead strikes are common in dogs but rarely fatal. They are treated with intravenous steroids, oral steroids and antibiotics.

Rattlers . . . she said was a different story. You don't want a Rattler strike on your dog. Both my dogs range widely -- under my voice command - that is. Sooo I anticipate a snake bite and want to be prepared. CH's and Rattlers are nocturnal so I keep the dogs up from dusk till dawn.

Just a fact of life.

g

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:55 pm

The viper is about the only snake we have to be careful of this time of year. They come and sit on rocks and boulders to catch the sunrays so they are all over. Loud noices and so on will scare them away most of the time but a sudden approach can be a nasty one.

Our pup is so curious and wants to stick her head and nose in every crack and crevice in the ground.She chased a fox out of her den already. Dont know if there were kits yet but the fox wasnt too pleased at our dog checking things out. :lol:

Classic Finn

by **Geron** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:05 pm

Classic Finn wrote:The viper is about the only snake we have to be careful of this time of year. They come and sit on rocks and boulders to catch the sunrays so they are all over. Loud noices and so on will scare them away most of the time but a sudden approach can be a nasty one.

Our pup is so curious and wants to stick her head and nose in every crack and crevice in the ground.She chased a fox out of her den already. Dont know if there were kits yet but the fox wasnt too pleased at our dog checking things out.

Classic Finn

Wikipedia indicates that the venom of that particular Viper is less toxic than other vipers (around the world) indicating a low fatality from bites. Maybe a bitten dog would stand a good chance of survival with as immediate treatment as possible from one's vet.

As much as one loves one's dogs it's troubling to consider one getting bitten. :cry:

by **Fenlason** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:51 pm

We have used car salesmen

by **Classic Finn** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:04 pm

Fenlason wrote:We have used car salesmen

And they bite do they? :lol:

by **Nitetimes** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:24 pm

Classic Finn wrote:
Fenlason wrote:We have used car salesmen

And they bite do they?

Same difference!!!! :lol:

Copperheads and Timber Rattler and Massasauga Rattler here. Neither of which are any fun if you pi$$ them off. Copperheads are particularly nasty if you catch them on a nest and one of their favorite spots is a dirt floor in an old shed.

by **High Desert** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:32 pm

I'd always heard a copperhead bite was worse than a rattler (only rattlers around here). The vet says different huh?

by **Juneaudave** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:40 pm

We're RFA

(Reptile free Alaska)

by **Nitetimes** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:42 pm

Juneaudave wrote:We're RFA (Reptile free Alaska)

Methinks it's a bit chilly up there for cold blooded critters!!

by **dmb90260** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:44 pm

There is a pre-bite snake venom available for dogs. I believe it requires two shots on a very precise schedule. The dog may get sick but it should live if bitten. We tried to set up a shot clinic at our dog club but it was impractical. It was too difficult ot guarantee the dogs would be there at the right time for the second dose. Ask your vet.