Thanks... didn't realize that Pet Armor wasn't the same as Frontline.


Jesse: Any update on the second sick dog?

Sorry guys, I have been meaning to get back to you, but just plain forgot.

Well, me and him are no longer talking due to totaly unrelated personal issues. But from what i have been told by mutual friends distemper seems to be the culpret. I have not heard the whole story, and i think there is definatly something fishy going on, because i have been told by several reliable friends that he had to put down every one of his hunting dogs. No they did not get sick, just put them down. If distemper was the only concern then i see no reason to kill all the healthy dogs. they ether get it or they dont. It seems to me like it may have been something else, and he was trying to avoid lots of expensive testing, and quarantine, and vet bills to have critters destroyed and disposed of. Again im not sure what exactly the deal is, just seems like and aweful drastic move.

If i find anything new out i will let you know.

If it was distember he should not have euthanized the other dogs.

I'm planning on taking my female German wirehair out coyote hunting with me soon, she's a great listener and is trained to come back to beeps so I'd like to give her a try on coyotes. Just wondering if there's anything special she might need for vaccinations? Would hate to see her get mange or something.

Vaccines I would recommend would be distemper, parvo, lepto, bordtella, and rabies. Mange is certainly an issue and could be transmitted to your dog. IMO mange is not easily transmitted and ussually takes a long period of exposure to do so. Fleas are much quiker to jump ship to a new host. Mange is easily treated with ivomec. If you have some trouble just let me know I can help with a dosage.

What is your opinion of the Rattle Snake vacination vs. Snake breaking.
I mean, i am in AZ and think that once you snake break a dog, they don't want to mess with them. But in your opinion is it worth it to get the snake vacine.

I would recommend snake breaking. The vaccine seems to be safe, but there is zero evidence that it helps in any way. We do know from people the incremental dosage of venom given to people can produce effective protection against snake bites and lesson the effects of a bite. The theory behind the vaccine is good but is is just a theory. FDA will never alow a study to be done to prove one way or another. There are so many varribles in snake bites its hard to pedict or know how much venom is passed making cases where dogs that were vaccinated and bit almost useless. Dogs rarly die from snake bites, but alot do get very sick. You can bet though if you have a great dog he is the one that will get bit and die.

Thank you for the information.. I was sitting on the fence about giving my new 6mnth old dog the vacine.
I wasn't sure about it because I was thinking about the fact that some snakes are Hymo, and some have Nero toxin venom, and i found it hard to believe that one shot could handle both types effectively.

Is there anything you could share, other than snake breaking that does work in your opinion, and what you would suggest to do in the event of a bite. If there are any home things that we could do? or a type of drug I could order and carry in the truck that might help save the dog.

bump

Tbone, there were some good threads on snake bites, do a search you should find some good info.

Thank you, I went and read all of them.. There was a large number.
However they didn't address the Dog question.

I know what to do if I get bit. But wanted to know, since i will be out in the middle of no where, what i can buy to carry in the truck for the Dog. If there is something that i can get for the dog if she is bit, to help keep her from dying, i would like to know.

Tbone-Dexamethasone and Benadryl. Many will live with or without intervention...but its almost a sure thing your best dog will die if bitten.

Take care.

I use mineral spirits. Rub it in to the bite areareal well. After i rub it in i wash the area with dawn dish soap. Try to keep the dog locked up.

Sorry I don't get over here that often.

As someone said dexamethasone for post bite tx is great.

There was a retrospective study on dexamethasone vs antivenom and it showed that it was just as effective. Antivenom is very expensive and hard to find at times.

Supportive thearpy like fluids for shock and dexamethasone work in most cases.

Thanks for the advice guys.. I am going to try taking her out on stands and see how it goes.