If you live in the Southern part of the US, snakes are another thing on your “Gotta Look Out For” list when out walking the dogs or even in your own backyard. Seriously! Last summer, a neighbor two doors down had a 6-foot rattlesnake living in their backyard. Seems the ivy patch by the pool was a comfy home for him. They were very lucky he hadn’t come out to greet their small dog. We are lucky he didn’t come over to visit us and our four-legged snake charmers. The snake’s luck ran out when their lawn guy found it. Seems, he’s not very partial to snakes. Whack!
Snakes don’t show up often in suburbia, but as our neighbors proved, they certainly can. Especially as land development pushes into remaining wildlife areas. For folks in rougher areas, it definitely is something to be wary of. We often hear local dog people talking about a Copperhead, Rattler, or Coral snake making its way into their yard. The comment is usually followed by a shake of the head, a “What if I hadn’t seen it first?,” then a shudder as they imagine their dog finding it first.
Which sedge-ways us to some interesting news: the antidote for coral snake bite is dwindling, for both humans and especially dogs. Something you don’t think about until you need it. After October 31, 2010, all the current coral snake antidote will be past its final expiration date with no one expected to make more because of infrequent need and low profits. You can read more about it in this June 20 Austin American-Statesman article.
According to the article, coral snakes create less damage than a rattlesnake because they like to “chew” on their prey and their fangs are smaller. Most people and animals will shake them off before they can inject much venom. Still, a good thing to high-tail it to the doc or vet.
Rattlers, Copperheads, and Water Moccasins are another thing. People with hunting, sporting, and working dogs probably know about the rattlesnake vaccine, as their dogs are more likely to encounter one. While a house-bound Frenchie probably doesn’t need this vaccine, you can read more about it here.
If you are really worried about snakes and your dogs, there are actually “Snake Avoidance” classes offered. Here’s a link to one here in Austin. You can sign your dog up for a “shocking” encounter with one to three types of snakes, venom permanently removed.
You are now somewhat primed for snake season. Let’s hope that stick on the ground is just a stick and you don’t actually put any of this to use. Us? We lost our last bit of ivy ground cover in the backyard a few years ago (with a little help from our Frenchie friends.) NO plans to replace it.
