Comment

Comment by Deborah Triplett on May 12, 2009 at 6:39pm

Thanks for the warning. All I"ve seen so far this year is a brown garden snake but we defintiely have copperheads here in NC. I love my 5 furry friends and will be extra cautious thanks to your post.

Comment by oakbyriver on May 11, 2009 at 3:05pm

Thank God Zuri is okay! She is so adorable, I have a thing for Terriers anyway, and I know how very much my Solly means to me. You know, it is so ironic I happened on this today, Contessa. My hubby was clearing the back of our yard - with lots of old growth, brush, vines, limbs. Our dog, Solomon, had wandered back into the real "thick" of it - it has been overgrown for years I suspect. Patrick called Solly back - but he only listens to his daddy about 45% of the time...more like 95% to his mommy. I said it would probably be okay, not to worry, but it occurred to me all of a sudden...wait, there could be a snake. Normally, I like to give the dog some latitude to be a dog...but I called him back right away. Reading this, I am certainly glad I listened to my hubby and that voice inside. Think the Lord was looking out for Solly and I - until I could read your post - and be aware! Thanks a million, really! Kris

Comment by Contessa Dorner 7b/SC on May 11, 2009 at 7:20am

Oh my goodness! Yeah...that dime sized hole was probably an area of necrosis, where the tissue starts dying away from the infection. Zuri was the 3rd pet of mine to be struck by a snake and I was lucky that I was at least nearby, so I was able to figure out pretty quickly what had happened. The other two times, (once, another dog, and the other time my cat, Sparky), the infection was the first sign that I had of anything wrong. Therefore, their recoveries were much slower. Hope your kitty bounces back quickly. Heh heh heh! I just noticed you said you have 10 other animals! Sounds like us! We currently only have 5, but are looking forward to adopting a 4-legged baby (or two) from the shelter very soon.

Comment by Georgeanne J. Ingram on May 11, 2009 at 6:56am

Yeah, I am treating a cat for a snake bite. I thought she had an injury and I was just going to watch her for a few days as long as she wasn't acting critical and because I have about ten other animals. Well she lost weight and then developed a lump and then that lump suddenly went away like a cyst would do, and she was her old self again sprinting around the house and yard. Then one day I noticed she had licked a dime-sized hole in her skin, down to the fat layer, so off we go to the vet. Well they shaved her down, and sure enough there were the two fang marks. I am flooding the hole now with diluted betadine daily and it and her are thankfully getting better.

Comment by ukdiva on May 6, 2009 at 7:45am

Contessa, I'm sorry to hear what happened to Zuri. Princess & I wish her a speedy recovery. I'm in So. Fla & I try my best to keep the grass in the backyard down to a minimum until I can get the concrete poured back there. The snakes that I've encountered burrow beneath the ground. They are so fat! I'm fond of snakes, but I'd rather them do they're burrowing away from me & my pets.

Comment by Cleve T. Z 9b South Texas on May 5, 2009 at 12:47pm

Glad you hear your little Zuri is feeling better today. Snakes scare the *&^%$% outta me, and if they are protected or not, better get out of my way. I have two babies, two kitties, and my puppy to protect!! I don't like them at all. Good thing, my cat will let me know when one is around right away. Last one got in the house somehow and under the fridge!! She let me know it was there and we got it out!!

Comment by julie draveski on May 5, 2009 at 1:00am

Thanks for making me aware of that type of situation. I too have a small furry gardening partner who loves to play with worms. I am now more aware of everything that catchs her attention. I would be lost without my partner so I take the time to be cautious rather have anything happen to my buddy Thanks again for alerting me I do hope Zuri is back to normal and chasing butterflies

Comment by Melody Leftwich z8 TX on May 5, 2009 at 12:16am

Please be careful! My grandmother claimed Copperheads mate for life and I can attest they are rarely alone. If you see one it's mate will be near and ready to help it out. They're opportunistic hunters and lie absolutely still hiding near likely prey areas like rodent trails, water collections and food sources. Worse, they "freeze" when confronted instead of moving hoping their excellent camoflouge will save them--even to the point you step on them! As for them being protected, joking right? They're the most plentiful pit viper in North America, and I'd love to see them become the rarest. At least a rattler lets you know he's there a long way off!

Comment by Donna Clark on May 4, 2009 at 10:25pm

Such a sweet little pup! I hope she does just fine. While I'm usually pretty mild mannered and forgiving of all manner of critters (most snakes included), the sight of a copperhead brings out my neanderthal side. They have to get out of the way of my hoe in a hurry. Oh, wait, I think they're protected. Never mind. They can slither slower, but my hoe is here if they get too close.

Comment by Lisa on May 4, 2009 at 5:19pm

Aww she's a beutiful little baby I hope she mends quickly. Thanks for the good points tho we all should take it to heart how we can sometimes be so relaxed in our own back yards we don't think any of us can be hurt. It just shows we need to be careful even in places we feel so safe.