My poor little basset hound must have been stung or bitten Sunday while I was away at church. I have a dog door so he comes and goes from the house to the fenced yard at his leisure. His muzzle has swollen to twice its normal size. I gave him the usual benedryl dosage (1mg per pound) and watched him closely. He is uncomfortable for sure. I can't find any wound on him, no puncture holes of any type. This has happened to him once before, several years ago. His eyes swelled shut that time. I have continued the benedryl every eight hours. I took his collar off immediately in case his throat swelled but it didn't. He has eaten and even scrounged around the baby's highchair looking for scraps, so he isn't too bad off. Sure wish I knew what did this to him. So sorry about your doggy who didn't make it. We will join them all in heaven someday, I am sure.

I'm so sorry to hear that! My dog got bitten by a copperhead a few weeks ago as well. My first experience with a snake bite, so I took him to the A&M vet clinic...that was cheap.

Keep us posted if you all do indeed look into getting it tested. I'd be curious to hear what they find.

Again, so sorry for your loss! Losing pets is always such an awful feeling when they're part of the family!

Now I'm not a vet by any means; but there was a time my dog ate a bee. (not the brightest dog in the world). Her tounge and lips swelled up. We called the vet, and he told us to give her 1 1/2 benadryl and bring her in right away (for a 15lb dog so it would have been a little over 2mg per pound.) She survived with no ill effects. (but never played with flying insects again)

Hope your basset hound recovers well, Trovio.

Toivo is much better today. The swelling is nearly gone. I have discovered that he should have an epi pen given to him as he is having an anaphalactic (sp?) reaction. The online recommendation is to have the pen on hand if you have a dog with a history of such reactions. I will get a prescription from his vet for future needs. Every day with my dog is blessing and I know that someday he will be just a savored memory. God, please watch over our little pets and keep them safe.

Toivo, glad pup is better. I had a German Shepherd who liked to "catch" bees, wasps, etc. When they popped her in the mouth or muzzle she looked pretty much like your description. We kept prednisone on hand.

My lab confronted a water mocassin today...a large, fat one, and was in a standoff when I walked up with my shovel and ended it to the detriment of the snake. I only kill poisonous snakes if they are a threat (like on my porch or in my garden) or directly about to fang jab someone. Trun that snake over to the vulchers for processing.

My sympathies to you on the loss of your pet. I can certainly sympathise with you. I am surrounded by animals and responsible for their care and it is a never ending battle, with some occasional losses that are personally dreadful.

I am doubtful that a snake bite would kill the dog that quick. I have seen many bad bites in south texas growing up bird hunting. The only ones that died were bitten in the side and it took a while of being very sick. There would be a great deal of swelling visible in the bite area and likely visible fang marks. My guess is that the dog got into something poinsonous or had an fast acting condition such as heartworms or somesuch. I Vet may be able to determine it for sure, but you may have to pay for that. up to you to find out if you think there is a danger to children or new pets.