The Dogmother Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 My friend's hound has just been bitten on the snout. They have seen 3 adders in the last two months, compared with 2 in the previous 5 years - perhaps the early warmth has brought them out. Please be very careful yourselves, as well as looking out for your animals. ETA, just found this article which shows a picture of an adder for those who need help identifying one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 woah, that's scary There was a story in the papers about a little girl who was bitten by an adder the other day - somewhere in Hampshire I think. she was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I know someone's elderly mother who was bitten by one in Devon last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I spotted one basking in the heather last weekend. I used to see Jack Russels (strange...no other breed....) bitten regularly rabbiting on Hounslow Heath in the summer. Normally a healthy dog would just be ill for a day or so with some local swelling and I used to just give them a shot of dexamethasone. One didn't make it so I kept antivenin and all got a routine shot after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Blimey! Poor girl! Looking at her leg made me feel queazy. I haven't seen an adder in years thankfully! Martin :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I think I've only ever seen one and that was on a school trip years ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Middle son saw one in the woods while we were camping last week! He was pootling in the woods while we sat by the tent and came shrieking in saying he'd seen a snake. On questionning it appears to have been an adder he disturbed - luckily it just hissed and slithered away rather than bite him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 hate snakes - thanks for not posting pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I have never seen a 'wild' snake,but will keep an eye out now! We are surrounded by scrubby woodland.so you never know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Yes there are a worry, I have had to warn OH as he takes the spring quatering in the bracken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 I hope he has some tough gaiters then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I've only ever seen one 'wild' one, and that was a grass snake sunbathing on the old wall of our kitchen garden. beautiful thing, I would like to see more - but preferably not adders! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I have never seen a 'wild' snake,but will keep an eye out now!We are surrounded by scrubby woodland.so you never know Our sighting was only down the road from you Cinnamon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I love wildlife spotting Sadly I have never seen an adder, although it's on my list of things I'd like to spot... but not at biting distance! Hopefully I'm correct in saying that adders will only bite if surprised/alarmed. So good advice is to make a bit of noise if you are in an area where there could be adders, such as woodland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 My dog got bitten by something last year, we don't know what it was that bit her, but the vet said an adder was a definite suspect. The bite made her really poorly and her face swelled up like a football. She made a full recovery (thank goodness) but I did think I might lose her, specially when she collapsed on the floor of the vet's surgery. I'll never know what caused it, but she's had a stern lecture about the dangers of snakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 Sounds like it might have been one, Bramble. My friend's dog has been pretty poorly but is on the mend now. My two always have their noses in bushes and clumps of grass... searching for voles and bunnies I'm always careful to wear stout boots and socks/trousers when out walking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I've never seen one. (You don't get many snakes in London! ) My friend used to have one living in her garden, though. It used to sunbathe against the wall next to the rabbit hutch. My freind was constantly worried about her rabbit because of it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I hope he has some tough gaiters then I'm more worried about the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 28, 2011 Author Share Posted April 28, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I hope he has some tough gaiters then I'm more worried about the dog Excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
