My rooster was bitten by a snake!!!

**madhen** · 06-15-2012, 11:56 PM

I found him this morning and didn't know what had happened. I thought maybe he had been in a fight with something. Unfortunately, avian vets in this area and few and far between, so the only one I could get was out making house calls, but agreed to see me in the evening. The two pics show how much swelling occurred between when I found him and ten hours later, when the vet could finally see him!

The vet found two puncture wounds - one right behind his eye, on his lower lid, and one on his wattle. Reuben, my rooster, had been dripping blood slowly ALL day, but the vet says that is not uncommon with snake bites. Unfortunately, Reuben was probably bitten by a rattlesnake, and the damage may get worse, because rattler bites can cause the tissue around the bite to die. I think he was in shock this afternoon, but by this evening, he was eating, so I am hoping he has been through the worst of it and will start to come back. The vet thinks we'll know in the next 48 hours if he is going to make it or not.

Happily, the vet says Reuben is a good weight (over 6 pounds), and since he is eating, he has a fighting chance. He is on Ibuprofen and a topical antibiotic eye ointment, and he is currently is some posh digs in my bedroom, where he is getting bottled water and a mixture of corn, peas, and blueberries to keep him interested in his food.

**leighcat** · 06-16-2012, 05:46 AM

How scary! I hope he will be okay.

**ladytoysdream** · 06-16-2012, 06:39 AM

Poor rooster. That must be painful. Keep us updated how he is doing, please.

**Labontet** · 06-16-2012, 07:31 AM

Poor thing. Hope he is doing ok this morning.

**nodmicks** · 06-16-2012, 07:51 AM

I hope he makes a full recovery. poor guy!

**frugalwarrior2** · 06-16-2012, 08:58 AM

I guess I'd just put him out of his misery because the poison must be painful. But it sounds like he is more of a pet. Good luck w/ the outcome.

**lparker** · 06-16-2012, 09:06 AM

My wife said that he probably started the fight. Roosters are territorial and chickens in general will try to eat anything. Sounds like he got a dry bite, so he should be OK.

**madhen** · 06-16-2012, 10:02 AM

Thanks all. I am not sure if it was a mano-a-mano situation, or if he just decided to get into a cool, shady spot, and the snake had the same idea (and probably got their first). I agree it was probably a dry bite, as I don't think he would still be alive had the snake delivered a payload.

He is eating a little, and right now, the most concerning thing to me is that he is STILL bleeding and has a large amount of mucous build-up in his mouth. The vet checked inside his mouth and said it was clear last night, but I am worried that the toxins are still doing their damage and that he will get worse before he gets better. Also, there is the possibility, since it was a viper bite, that the tissue around the wound will die.

**Hamada** · 06-16-2012, 11:06 AM

Hope he gets through this. Know how much you care for your animals.

**Rebookie** · 06-16-2012, 11:15 AM

Poor Fella!! <3 I sure hope he makes it!!

**madhen** · 06-16-2012, 11:29 AM

FW2, he isn't a pet, but I don't kill any of my animals unless I think their situation is intolerable or beyond hope. The ibuprofen is to keep his pain down as he heals, and the vet didn't recommend putting him down, which she would have done had she thought his suffering was too great for him to bear. She has been my vet for about twenty years now, and we have a pretty good understanding with each other, so she would have told me if she thought euthanasia was the best option.

I know he is very uncomfortable and probably in pain, but he is eating, which is a good sign, and he is strong and young, so I have hope that he'll make a full recovery.

**frugalfranny** · 06-16-2012, 11:39 AM

Oh, that is bad. I hope he pulls through.............keep us posted. Hate to see any animal hurting!

The other obvious question..............how many other animals do you have outside? Could they be in danger?

And probably a rather stupid question........but I have to ask..........if a rattler, why can't they give him an anti-venom like they do people?

did you see the article about the rattler that was in a Wal Mart garden center in Clarkston, Wa. (one news story said Salmon, Idaho, ---not true!) and
bit a guy???

**frugalwarrior2** · 06-16-2012, 11:55 AM

Madhen-not trying to be a meanie. Just concerned and I know your a bird person to be sure.
I never heard of a dry bite. I always thought venom was released.
And if it's eating thats a good sign right?

**frugalfranny** · 06-16-2012, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

I never heard of a dry bite. I always thought venom was released.

I haven't either............and how do they know it was a dry bite? Is there a big difference on the reactions? (understand the 'time thing' and that he would have been gone if a large amt. was delivered..........just curious.)
Couldn't the snake have just delivered a small amt.............along of the line of thinking of.........small snake, small amt.?