Penicilan (sp?) for snake bite

[Tennessee Hunter]

Doc,

Had a dog snake bit this morning and would like to give it penicilan, where could I get it and how much should I give? I have given dogs 7 way before therefore are familiar with giving shots.

What else could I do as well to get him through this. It was a bite to the paw, swollen, but dog acting okay. I have been giving him Benedryl.

[Doc S]

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is my emergency first-aid of choice for snakebites. Antibiotics may be necessary if the bite becomes infected or abscesses locally. Penicillin injectable is generally available at most farm supply stores. Dose is 1ml per 20# bodyweight under the skin.
Doc S

[Tennessee Hunter]

Thanks Doc. I went ahead and took the dog to the vet due to my quick research, but this morning I lost him. He was a good friend, as well as a good rabbit dog. Thanks for the information. I will keep it for future use.

TH

[Tennessee Hunter]

Doc,

One more question. Does that have to be pencillen for dogs? What I saw at the store was for cattle.

[Doc S]

For dogs you want an aqueous suspension of procaine penicillin G. Doesn't matter what species is on the label.
Doc S

[crewchf]

Doc S, One more question how much benadryl would you use for this??? I wouldn't want to OD my pups!!!

Crew Chief

PS TH, sorry to hear about your loss buddy, this is my biggest fear living down here in GA with all these poisonous snakes.

[Black Swamp]

Sorry to hear about the your hunting buddy. I only had one dog ever snake bit. Dogs head swelled up 5times. I was young then and did not have the money to run up a vet bill. I dont know what kind of snake it was but what I did was I gave a shot of pencillian and I rubbed Lard where the bite was. That was what an old coon hunter told me. The dog lived and was fine after a week.
Good luck keep running those hounds.
God Bless
Cedric

[Doc S]

Generally give 1 milligram of diphenhydramine per pound of bodyweight for first aid.
Doc S

[Guest]

Thanks all