Your experience with snake bites

[mountainhorse]

I read an article this morning on the proper care for dealing with a snake bite on your horse, but it left several questions…
Has anyone dealt with a snake bite on their horse’s face, requiring the use of hoses to aid in breathing? Would you mind sharing your experiences? Everyone says to keep these “10 inch pieces of hose” in the emergency kit, but no real explanation on how to use, etc.

With spring coming, I thought it might be helpful to have a thread for sharing how you dealt with your snake bite scenarios. Extra points if you have experience using hose to aid in breathing and can share that experience/how you did it, etc. for us to learn from.

[csaper58]

Here, the snakes most likely to bite a horse are water moccasins and copperheads.

I never had to put tubes/hoses in a horses nose. Can’t imagine trying, as snake bites are extremely painful.

I would keep Vet’s phone numbers closer at hand than the ‘nose tubes’.

Can you provide a link to the article? Do keep in mind not every article on the internet contains accurate, up to date advice.

[mountainhorse]

@csaper58

Do keep in mind not every article on the internet contains accurate, up to date advice.

Haha, duh. :rolleyes: :lol:
However, it is a pretty standard ‘recommendation’, re: hoses.

I will try to post some of the articles I’ve come across since researching it more, as there was little to no response here. It’s a scary situation, so perhaps sharing some of it can help others trail riding or finding themselves in a situation where action is needed while the vet is called/out of cell service on a trail, etc.

[mountainhorse]

Well, to answer my original question, here it is from UF College of Veterinary Medicine:

“Cut two pieces of lawn hose each approximately eight inches long. Lubricate the outside of one end of a hose segment with cooking oil. Gently insert the tube into the nose of the horse until it no longer slides easily or about one inch still protrudes for the nose, whichever is first. Secure with tape. Repeat on the other side.”
http://largeanimal.vethospitals.ufl.edu/2014/08/18/what-to-do-if-a-snake-bites-your-horse/

A few other articles:
http://equusmagazine.com/management/snake-bite-28886

http://casperjournal.com/news/article_ddec493a-3d8f-5b21-b11e-55ab65a1b368.html

http://www.equisearch.com/articles/five-steps-snakebite-safety-you-and-your-horse

[Marla_100]

I had a yearling filly bit on the nose by a water moccasin. By the time I found her and noticed it, her whole front, bridge
of the nose was swelling badly. Called my vet who said “just watch it”, call me if you need me. Sorta like ho-hum.
I watched her carefully for several hours and she went about her business as usual. The area stayed swollen, and deformed looking for several days but the filly was never in distress. I’m sure it was a moccasin because I had been
chasing or killing them for weeks. The pasture abutted a true swamp that was crawling with moccasins and I had witnessed the filly curiously following one with her head and nose down near one as it slithered away.

[csaper58]

@mountainhorse

Well, to answer my original question, here it is from UF College of Veterinary Medicine:

“Cut two pieces of lawn hose each approximately eight inches long. Lubricate the outside of one end of a hose segment with cooking oil. Gently insert the tube into the nose of the horse until it no longer slides easily or about one inch still protrudes for the nose, whichever is first. Secure with tape. Repeat on the other side.”
http://largeanimal.vethospitals.ufl.edu/2014/08/18/what-to-do-if-a-snake-bites-your-horse/

A few other articles:
http://equusmagazine.com/management/snake-bite-28886

http://casperjournal.com/news/article_ddec493a-3d8f-5b21-b11e-55ab65a1b368.html

http://www.equisearch.com/articles/five-steps-snakebite-safety-you-and-your-horse

OP… you only need to take these extreme measures if …

1. your vet is unavailable

2. the horse has difficulty breathing.

Horses usually have some measure of immunity to snake venom. The swelling, while it may be alarming, is not normally life threatening.

I would caution you that, if you keep looking for a crisis your horse will oblige you with one.

[silverdog]

My horse was bitten by a rattlesnake on the nose. We had him at the vet within 90 minutes. He was extremely swollen and had noticeably noisy breathing. Did not need nasal tubes. My trainers trail horse was bitten. They were not sure how much time had passed - the issue was noted at AM feeding time. He was in respiratory distress. Got him to the vet where they trached him as his upper airway had pretty much swollen closed. Just depends on individual situation.

[mountainhorse]

@csaper58

OP… you only need to take these extreme measures if …

1. your vet is unavailable

2. the horse has difficulty breathing.

Horses usually have some measure of immunity to snake venom. The swelling, while it may be alarming, is not normally life threatening.

I would caution you that, if you keep looking for a crisis your horse will oblige you with one.

Not sure what your issue is, csaper…it’s good information to know and apparently information that not a lot of horse owners are familiar with. As articles stated, contact a vet first. Of course.
I feel it’s good to post about in case someone is searching for information on snake bites. Just because you know what to do in a crisis situation or prepare for such a crisis does not mean you are looking for one.

Maria, Silverdog-thanks for sharing your experiences. Glad both of your horses were fine after.

[csaper58]

@mountainhorse

Not sure what your issue is, csaper…it’s good information to know and apparently information that not a lot of horse owners are familiar with. As articles stated, contact a vet first. Of course.
I feel it’s good to post about in case someone is searching for information on snake bites. Just because you know what to do in a crisis situation or prepare for such a crisis does not mean you are looking for one.

Maria, Silverdog-thanks for sharing your experiences. Glad both of your horses were fine after.

I don’t have an issue, I just think it is important for novice horse owners to understand that not all purported first aid procedures should be considered “good to know” much less good to act on.

I would advise that inserting nasal tubes only be attempted on the advice of or by a veterinarian.

It is not something to try in lieu of proper medical care.

Or because you read on the internet it’s an appropriate thing to do.

I want anyone looking for information on what to do for a snake bit horse that is in respiratory distress to log off and call the vet ASAP.

[mountainhorse]

No one was/is saying to do something in lieu of proper medical care. If it makes you feel better to have posted that ‘disclaimer’, then good for you.
It goes without saying, (even though it was said here without your input) to contact your veterinarian first.
And, at the same time, education and knowing ‘what to do’ in case of emergency (i.e.: on the trail and no service, need a solution asap), is a very good thing.
End of the story.
Anyone who reads this later will be able to read your disclaimer, as well as the articles and information. Thanks.

[csaper58]

@mountainhorse

No one was/is saying to do something in lieu of proper medical care. If it makes you feel better to have posted that ‘disclaimer’, then good for you.
It goes without saying, (even though it was said here without your input) to contact your veterinarian first.
And, at the same time, education and knowing ‘what to do’ in case of emergency (i.e.: on the trail and no service, need a solution asap), is a very good thing.
End of the story.
Anyone who reads this later will be able to read your disclaimer, as well as the articles and information. Thanks.

1. If you re-read, contacting the vet was not mentioned in any post until after I commented.

2. Who carries a garden hose on a trail ride?

Educated people know what Hubris is, and avoid engaging in it.

[mountainhorse]

@csaper58

Educated people know what Hubris is, and avoid engaging in it.

Exactly!

[csaper58]

@mountainhorse

Exactly!

:rolleyes:

Good luck living your life while worrying about all those ‘possibilities’.

Oh, and have fun trail riding with a piece of garden hose in each hand.