Black Racer Snake bites - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Cat Hunter · 04-14-2013, 10:06 PM

This morning my small Yorkie was in a stand off with a large black racer snake! The snake was rearing up and I saw it's tongue lash out. Luckily my dog has immediate recall and he turned and ran to me when I called him. I would just like to know if anyone has any knowledge of these snakes and if they bite? I know they are not poisonous, but would they bite my dog, and if so what would happen to the dog, is the bite small?
I will be really thankful for any help and will do the gardening by myself till I know more about this!

kjc · 04-14-2013, 10:33 PM

I would worry about a small dog encountering a large snake. I don't think a bite alone would hurt much, but for a Yorkie, just the impact may shock him, also depends where he gets bitten. A large snake may mistake him for a rodent and try to eat him, if he is very small.

Most non venomous snakes have an anticoagulant in their saliva, so a bite could tend to bleed longer than one would expect, and depending on the size of the snake may present a problem in a small animal.

Coluber constrictor priapus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amazing Yorkies · 04-14-2013, 11:59 PM

OMG! Nightmares tonight!

mky · 04-15-2013, 02:42 AM

Also, puncture wounds can get infected easily, so if your pup ever gets bit (by non-venomous) you might want to give your vet a call to see if they want to give antibiotics.

I hope you don't have any more snake encounters. Snakes are one of the few creatures I really don't like and am truly afraid of.

kjc · 04-15-2013, 03:31 AM

Usually a good cleaning with regular soap and water will do the trick, but it won't hurt to have a vet check it out.

Verbena · 04-15-2013, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjc

Usually a good cleaning with regular soap and water will do the trick, but it won't hurt to have a vet check it out.

ChristinaND · 04-15-2013, 03:48 AM

I found this website that talks about snake bites and dogs. I hope it helps.
Snake Bites

chattiesmom · 04-15-2013, 04:53 AM

Black racers are VERY aggressive and will bite. Although they are a non venomous species they do carry lots of nasty bacteria in their mouth. If your little one got bit, I would carefully wash the wound and use some hydrogen peroxide to do a good wound cleaning (but only use the peroxide once because it will damage healthy flesh). Apply an antibiotic ointment - if the wound starts to get red and warn head to the vet, otherwise keep it clean and dry.

Please remember that black racers are a NON VENEMOUS and very helpful variety of snake -- that is unless you like mice! As for me, I'll take the snake any day of the week over mice.

Lil Sis · 04-15-2013, 04:56 AM

omg.... glad she is ok.

My dd's little pup thought a grass snake was a new playmate

my dd grabed it (the snake) by the tail and threw it away

Deb1 · 04-15-2013, 05:09 AM

I am petrified of snakes! Thank goodness he did not get bitten!

Cat Hunter · 04-15-2013, 07:23 AM

This was my worry exactly! My dog is 6lbs, but he would suffer badly from a bite to the nose, it's just a wee button. Thank you for your reply.

Cat Hunter · 04-15-2013, 07:26 AM

I know there are lots of snakes in Florida. My son's two Jack Russells killed a black racer in the back yard a couple of years ago and there was a lot of blood, we never found any puncture wounds on either of the dogs. The JRTS are a lot bigger and they tend to attack as a team, the snake got the worst of this particular encounter!

Cat Hunter · 04-15-2013, 07:27 AM

Me too! I know they are good and I would never kill one. That said I think I'll do the gardening on my own.

04-14-2013, 10:06 PM	#1
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	Black Racer Snake bites This morning my small Yorkie was in a stand off with a large black racer snake! The snake was rearing up and I saw it's tongue lash out. Luckily my dog has immediate recall and he turned and ran to me when I called him. I would just like to know if anyone has any knowledge of these snakes and if they bite? I know they are not poisonous, but would they bite my dog, and if so what would happen to the dog, is the bite small? I will be really thankful for any help and will do the gardening by myself till I know more about this!

04-14-2013, 10:33 PM	#2
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,869	I would worry about a small dog encountering a large snake. I don't think a bite alone would hurt much, but for a Yorkie, just the impact may shock him, also depends where he gets bitten. A large snake may mistake him for a rodent and try to eat him, if he is very small. Most non venomous snakes have an anticoagulant in their saliva, so a bite could tend to bleed longer than one would expect, and depending on the size of the snake may present a problem in a small animal. Coluber constrictor priapus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

04-14-2013, 11:59 PM	#3
Amazing Yorkies YT Featured Breeder Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,552	OMG! Nightmares tonight! __________________ Deb Sillers 816-261-8734 Cell ~ www.Amazingyorkies.com ~

04-15-2013, 03:31 AM	#5
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,869	Usually a good cleaning with regular soap and water will do the trick, but it won't hurt to have a vet check it out. __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

04-15-2013, 04:53 AM	#8
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,674	Black racers are VERY aggressive and will bite. Although they are a non venomous species they do carry lots of nasty bacteria in their mouth. If your little one got bit, I would carefully wash the wound and use some hydrogen peroxide to do a good wound cleaning (but only use the peroxide once because it will damage healthy flesh). Apply an antibiotic ointment - if the wound starts to get red and warn head to the vet, otherwise keep it clean and dry. Please remember that black racers are a NON VENEMOUS and very helpful variety of snake -- that is unless you like mice! As for me, I'll take the snake any day of the week over mice. __________________ Silk Step-In Harnesses www.foxypups.etsy.com Last edited by chattiesmom; 04-15-2013 at 04:54 AM.

04-15-2013, 02:42 AM	#4
mky YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 316	Also, puncture wounds can get infected easily, so if your pup ever gets bit (by non-venomous) you might want to give your vet a call to see if they want to give antibiotics. I hope you don't have any more snake encounters. Snakes are one of the few creatures I really don't like and am truly afraid of.

04-15-2013, 03:48 AM	#7
ChristinaND Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Carrington , North Dakota Posts: 15	I found this website that talks about snake bites and dogs. I hope it helps. Snake Bites

04-15-2013, 04:56 AM	#9
Lil Sis Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,008	omg.... glad she is ok. My dd's little pup thought a grass snake was a new playmate my dd grabed it (the snake) by the tail and threw it away __________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy

04-15-2013, 05:09 AM	#10
Deb1 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,983 Blog Entries: 3	I am petrified of snakes! Thank goodness he did not get bitten! __________________ Proud Mommy to Max, Teeka, Tatiana and forever in my heart Tameka! My sunshine doesn't come from the skies, it comes from my puppies eyes!

04-15-2013, 07:23 AM	#11
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	This was my worry exactly! My dog is 6lbs, but he would suffer badly from a bite to the nose, it's just a wee button. Thank you for your reply.

04-15-2013, 07:26 AM	#12
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	I know there are lots of snakes in Florida. My son's two Jack Russells killed a black racer in the back yard a couple of years ago and there was a lot of blood, we never found any puncture wounds on either of the dogs. The JRTS are a lot bigger and they tend to attack as a team, the snake got the worst of this particular encounter!

04-15-2013, 07:27 AM	#13
Cat Hunter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: orlando, florida USA Posts: 127	Me too! I know they are good and I would never kill one. That said I think I'll do the gardening on my own.