I'm currently house-sitting a place about 45 minutes north of La Chorrera, in the middle of nowhere on the shores of Lake Gatun. I've been here about 5 months so far, and will likely stay several more.
When I first got here, there were 3 dogs, but unfortunately one of them was killed by a snake (we think) about a month after I arrived. The reason we think it was a snake, is because he was about 8 years old and in perfect health one day, and the next day when I woke up, he was laying down on the side of the house dead. There were no visible wounds, and the Panamanian property caretaker here checked his fur, and said that it was a snake (I guess their fur pulls out very easily if they've been affected by snake venom).
Anyways, although I've only see a few snakes myself here (2 vipers and a few longer, brown snakes), I know that there's a very real possibility that one of the other dogs might get bitten. So I thought I'd ask on here if any of you guys know much about what to do. I know I couldn't have done anything for the first dog, but if I know/suspect one of the other dogs is bitten while I'm awake, I want to make sure I know what to do. Unfortunately, as far as I know the closest vet is in the city, at maybe 40 minutes away.
So I've got a few questions for you guys:
1) Do most vets carry some kind of antivenin for snake bites?
2) Likely if one of them is bitten, I won't see the snake that did it. It's more likely to happen while they're off exploring in one of the overgrown neighbouring fields. Are the vets able to treat them quickly enough if you have no idea what kind of snake bit them?
3) Any idea how much time you've realistically got to get them the shot? I realize it depends on the type/size of the snake, but would still appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks, and if you have any other ideas on the subject, I'd love to hear them.
Cheers
When I first got here, there were 3 dogs, but unfortunately one of them was killed by a snake (we think) about a month after I arrived. The reason we think it was a snake, is because he was about 8 years old and in perfect health one day, and the next day when I woke up, he was laying down on the side of the house dead. There were no visible wounds, and the Panamanian property caretaker here checked his fur, and said that it was a snake (I guess their fur pulls out very easily if they've been affected by snake venom).
Anyways, although I've only see a few snakes myself here (2 vipers and a few longer, brown snakes), I know that there's a very real possibility that one of the other dogs might get bitten. So I thought I'd ask on here if any of you guys know much about what to do. I know I couldn't have done anything for the first dog, but if I know/suspect one of the other dogs is bitten while I'm awake, I want to make sure I know what to do. Unfortunately, as far as I know the closest vet is in the city, at maybe 40 minutes away.
So I've got a few questions for you guys:
1) Do most vets carry some kind of antivenin for snake bites?
2) Likely if one of them is bitten, I won't see the snake that did it. It's more likely to happen while they're off exploring in one of the overgrown neighbouring fields. Are the vets able to treat them quickly enough if you have no idea what kind of snake bit them?
3) Any idea how much time you've realistically got to get them the shot? I realize it depends on the type/size of the snake, but would still appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks, and if you have any other ideas on the subject, I'd love to hear them.
Cheers
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