SnakeBite. Great Vet in Foley Alabama

[ronboc]

I wanted to point out Dr Ainsworth at Foley Vet Hospital in Foley Alabama as someone who knows his business, and goes way over-and-above in caring.

We stopped at Gulf State park earlier this week for a few days. Within 5 minutes, Phoenix (our 3-yo 85lb German Shepherd) got the wrong end of a 3 ft water moccasin on his front paw. Not knowing the area, we looked in the phonebook and found FVH. A mad dash there got us several antibiotics, benedryl, etc, and a suggestion by the vet-tech to try the emergency clinic in Pensacola for antivenin (most places don't stock it, I was surprised to learn. It goes bad too quickly) "if we were interested in doing that".

As you can imagine, the words were still hanging in the air before we were out the door. It was about 55 miles in pouring rain and some 2-lane roads but wife got us there in less than 45 minutes. They got him on antivenin to stabilize. We took him back to FVH the next morning for them to decide on follow-on treatment. Doc was ready to keep him for up to a week 'just in case', but later called us to say he felt Phoenix was totally out of the woods (uhhh, so to speak) and doing great. Three days later, except for a swollen-foot, some dead skin and a bit of soreness, Phoenix is his usual happy-go-lucky self again.

I cannot say enough about the attention, personal care and professionalism of Dr Ainsworth and his staff. I am convinced that if they were not there and doing what they did, this would have been a much different posting.

Thanks!
Ron

[ronboc]

I wanted to point out Dr Ainsworth at Foley Vet Hospital in Foley Alabama as someone who knows his business, and goes way over-and-above in caring.

We stopped at Gulf State park earlier this week for a few days. Within 5 minutes, Phoenix (our 3-yo 85lb German Shepherd) got the wrong end of a 3 ft water moccasin on his front paw. Not knowing the area, we looked in the phonebook and found FVH. A mad dash there got us several antibiotics, benedryl, etc, and a suggestion by the vet-tech to try the emergency clinic in Pensacola for antivenin (most places don't stock it, I was surprised to learn. It goes bad too quickly) "if we were interested in doing that".

As you can imagine, the words were still hanging in the air before we were out the door. It was about 55 miles in pouring rain and some 2-lane roads but wife got us there in less than 45 minutes. They got him on antivenin to stabilize. We took him back to FVH the next morning for them to decide on follow-on treatment. Doc was ready to keep him for up to a week 'just in case', but later called us to say he felt Phoenix was totally out of the woods (uhhh, so to speak) and doing great. Three days later, except for a swollen-foot, some dead skin and a bit of soreness, Phoenix is his usual happy-go-lucky self again.

I cannot say enough about the attention, personal care and professionalism of Dr Ainsworth and his staff. I am convinced that if they were not there and doing what they did, this would have been a much different posting.

Thanks!
Ron

[crudeman]

Glad to hear all is well with Phoenix, and everything turned out ok. Thanks also for the vet tip, one never knows when those services are needed . We plan on heading to Gulf State Park the first week of January.

[ronboc]

Hi Steve/Pat -

Thanks for the kind words.

The Park has lots of signs about not feeding alligators, but we never even thought about the snakes (duh!). And with all the rains the park had, it's no wonder snakes are coming to higher ground. After we calmed-down a couple days later, I looked at where Phoenix got bit and where he and I had been walking, and I gotta conclude that the snake came up to us to see what was going on -- we had been standing exactly where Phoenix was when at the time.

Not withstanding, it's a VERY nice park, lots of room, very scenic, and reasonable. Hope you enjoy it.

I definitely recommend LuLu's restaurant (she's Jimmy Buffett's sister) right under the 59-Bridge, and Billy's Seafood Market off CR-10.... if you're not into catching your own.

Oh, and if you see a snake (ANY snake!) while there, please think of us when you plant some tire-tracks over its back... again and again... and again and...

Thanks!
Ron

[mom2mastiffs]

Ron,

So happy to hear Phoenix is doing better. How scary for you! Glad you found a good vet and a good ER clinic!
Living in Arizona we are always on the lookout for rattlers when we stop at rest stops, etc. Have had friends whose dogs have been bitten by rattlers--some have made it and some haven't
Hugs to Phoenix!

[NeilV]

Didn't think much about them except for when clearing weeds and brush until a rattler got into my living room and holed up behind the entertaiment center. Got him and gave him a crushing experience before he got any of us or the animals. He was actually going after the wife when I got him.

Now I keep snake away by all entrances to the house.

[crudeman]

Thanks Ron. This makes a good reminder to all of us with pets, to be careful of our surrondings when we have them out there with them. Sometimes I know I dont really think about it, but today the park where we are staying this week is sorta wooded on the outside areas and I made it a point to pay more attention. Thats especially true in these drought areas that we visit where snakes etc may be on the move looking for water etc.

[cameo23]

what a terrible thing to have to go through and
I'm so glad to read a happy ending. I'm not one
to be afraid of snakes but if a poisonous snake crossed my path I'd be looking for a shovel, one with a long handle!