Sargent Texas and “Salty Sammy”

Salty Sammy from Sargent Texas is good a dog. He lives in Sargent on the Gulf Coast and enjoys the outdoors.

Springtime can be dangerous for Pets on the Gulf Coast

You could say he is a local Star. Don’t get me wrong he is part Boxer and part Pit but is most of all he is all Sargent. Sometimes he thinks he is a tough guy because of his pedigree. Part Pitbull and part Boxer. He is handsome  cute and very much loved. He had some problems last spring in tall grass.

His Best friend Logan Frederich.

Salty  Sammy is spunky, happy and well behaved say Logan. Salty lives in Sargent Texas  with Logan. Like all dogs who play outside around  Sargent or on the Texas Coast they can come in contact with Alligators, Birds, Crabs or Snakes. 

Logan Frederich is a incredible outdoor photographer who does much of his work on Sargent Beach and around the Greater Sargent Ecosystem. Sammy usually works with him when he is out shooting the Outdoors.

Last Spring in the early evening as the sun went low. Sammy was playing and runing. Like all dogs they really enjoy the spring time. He then traversing some high clover which dogs love.  Alway curious he didn’t know what was about to happen. Something that could take his life or cripple him for life.   Frolicking thought the Clover was just having springtime dog fun. 

The early spring clover was thick. The clover was hiding a monster. Sammy stepped on a Rattlesnake. Wow! Who expected a Rattlesnake in Sargent Texas. But, like all of South Texas communities near the Beach. We have a variety of Snakes and Reptiles that inhabit our natural environment including Alligators, Crabs, Scorpions, and Turtles. Salty Sammy took it hard. It happened so quick. This Pup got nailed. The snake bit his paw. He bled and it got worse in first hours. Sammy was lucky because he survived and lived. Most dogs get bit on the nose or other parts thats can kill them.   Sammy got it on his Paw. He became very sick and lethargic. 

Prevention of Dogs getting  bit by Rattlesnakes

There are ways to try to prevent your dog from getting bit by a snake. None of these are foolproof. For Sammy it happened so fast and unexpected. It is not an easy thing to do because Snakes are the right size for dogs to play with. Sammy and other  Dog’s nose around all the time looking for small animals and smells. Some dogs get bit so many times they develop an antibody in their bloodstream.  That is true for very few dogs. And the first or second Bite might kill them. Prevention is the best method. But it can happen so quick. Even after you keep the yard perfect. Even if you do all the right things. 

Here are some techniques that  could to help prevent Snake Bites on dogs like Sammy.

Even with Training it can still happen. Especially in early spring or late fall of the year. 

One technique is Rattlesnake aversion Training.  This might Seems a little hard on the dog. It could save their life.  You put a shock collar on the dog and introduce him to actuall live snakes. Also you can put some nasty tasting substance on a fake snake on  it and then the dog develops an aversion to snakes.

This might Seems a little hard on the dog. But it could save their life.  You put a shock collar on the dog and introduce him to actuall live snakes. Also you can put some nasty tasting substance on a fake snake on  it and then the dog develops an aversion to snakes.  Some dogs love to play with anything that looks like a snake. It moves it is colorful and seems like fun. Realize any Training is not foolproof. So watch out for your Dog.

• • Keep your yard mowed. Well lit at night. 
  • Walk yard before letting dog play outside.

• • You can install snake proof fencing but very expensive.

• • Get your Dog Rattlesnake Vaccine 

• • Walk your dog on 6 foot leash.

• • Avoid Rocky or Dense Brush

• So get your dog Rattlesnake aversion Training.  Also keeping your yard lit and mowed really low and staying out of high grass.  At night have the yard well lit and survey the yard before the dog is allowed to run around.  This link is the most comprehensive list I found with good sense advice for protecting you and your pet from an unwanted encounter. List with suggestions on Snakes for your Dog.s

Something else to remember is that Rattlesnakes or any Reptiles are extremely active in the Spring and Fall. Because they are cold blooded when the Temperatures start to Change they move around more to heat  up and spring find a mate. More encounters happen these times of year  than they do during other parts of the year. That’s when most encounters occur.  Be aware and keep your yard mowed low. 

So months  later Salty Sammy and Logan are again enjoying fishing, riding, and having fun around Sargent. Salty Sammy is still not 100% after the bite. But Logan  realizes that if Sammy had gotten bit in another area it might have been his demise. So a few months later Sammy is doing much better. Look for him on Sargent Beach. Doing what dogs do having a lot of fun.