What are the yellow sores on my dead pet's jaw and backside?

Question

I just lost my german shephard a few weeks ago and didn't have the money to find out how. But I did notice some clusters of sores around his bottom jaw and neck and also on his back-side. Not on it but near it. They looked like capsul pills but the size of maybe a pencil lead and were yellowish in color. The clusters weren't in any particular patern nor were the pill looking bumps in any patern just all kinds of ways. I was wandering because I just had another one of my shephards put to sleep last night from what the vet said looked like snake bites. He didn't have any of these sores on him but then he had just died. The first pet we found dead with the sores on him. Couldn't have been dead though no more than 15-24 hours. We always go out and play with them after supper. Do I need to go on a snake hunt? Could my first pet had been bitten also? I have other pets and kids I still worry about.

Real question isn't really being answered here is it? Don't reply unless you can help me. No one know my home situation. And there isn't anything here that you can't rub in my face that I haven't already done! Just looking for an answer for my question, you know the one about the yellow sores? Someone with medical under their belt would really be appreciated.

Answer 1

I haven't a clue, sorry =(.

*edit* Maybe fire ants? I just finished rereading what you wrote and wonder if maybe the dog bit by them. Maybe the dog tried to eat something that was covered in ants, got bitten, and died from the poison.

To gringo4541 and Bindi, maybe this person lives in the country.

I grew up in the country/woods and can well remember playing outside for hours on end. Yes, my parents did keep an eye out, but things can happen especially if you get out of their sight. Also, we have always had dogs and cats with all animals being indoor/outdoor pets with the exception of the horse. Despite the fact that we "lived" with our pets, things happened. We have had cats disappear never to be seen again. We've had several of our dogs take off after something and return hours and in a couple of cases, days later. We've gone in search of missing pets numerous times. Don't be so quick to judge.

And before someone decides to criticize my parents or me, they were responsible parents and still are responsible pet owners.

As far as the snake bit dog having to be put down, it would depend upon what kind of snake bit the dog and where it was bitten. We had a dog get snake bitten; the vet did his best to save the dog, but after three days of fighting for her life, we lost the battle. The vet has seen other dogs that were snake bitten that there was no hope of saving and thus, the kindest thing was to put the animal down. The same with cats and even horses.

To the original poster, I would definitely keep an eye out for snakes and teach your kids to keep an eye out as well.

*edit* Why does the thumbs down not surprise me? LOL Bet whoever gave it to me and the people who criticized the original poster didn't grow up in the country nor currently reside there.

Answer 2

My recommendation to you is to bring your pets inside where they belong, and not let kids or pets play outside unattended. Especially if you live in an area where snake bites are a risk.

Don't wait for someone or something else be a victim.


Hmm, lets see I live in a rural area. Have all my life. Do I know where my dogs are at all times? Yep. That is no excuse.


No one here can tell you what those sores were from. We can't see them. Your only way of knowing for sure would have been to have a necropsy done.

Answer 3

I would certainly be on the look out ofr the snakes. It hard to say if the first dog was snake bitten or not but it is a strong possibility. Don't get anymore outdoor pets until the problem is resolved.

Answer 4

I have to admit to being a bit stunned that your dog could have been dead for 15-24 hours before you found him or realized he was 'missing'!! I notice if it has been 15 to 20 minutes since I saw any one of my several dogs and I go looking.

Couldn't the dog you had put to sleep last night due to 'snake bites' have been saved? I saved a 13 1/2 year old Dachshund after a severe bite from a Diamond Back rattlesnake. And that was with my Vet being an hour away.

I cannot even guess what the clusters of sores were on the first dog. I think if you actually 'lived' with your dogs and had them as members of the family, you would have been aware of problems on both dogs before it reached the point of death. I cannot imagine having dogs that I would see for a short time once a day! My dogs live with me, I groom them, hug them, play with them. My hands are on them, I am constantly just feeling and checking for anything out of the ordinary. I supervise their meal times and will notice immediately if one is off it's feed. Since our dogs cannot talk, we have to remain somewhat alert to any changes in their behavior or appetite. I wish you had lived that way with your two Shepherds, they may have still been here if you did.

Answer 5

Woah folks! Let's not use the country as an excuse for not taking care of dogs. I grew up in the country also, and my neighbors brought their dogs in at night. Many of them let their dogs in and out like "city folks". Maybe you mean the "backwoods" where people don't know any better?
If you live in an area that has snakes, and other things that can harm dogs and children, it is your responsibility to protect both, not speculate after they are dead. If you still have some pets, give them up to rescue or bring them in the house, or you will have no pets.

Answer 6

You should of had him necropsied. The vets do not want to tell you, but most Vet Schools do not charge an arm and a leg to do this. Purdue charges $50 for a complete necropsy on a dog. It is well worth it to have this done.

Answer 7

you should be aware if you live in an area with dangerous snakes, and carefully pay attention to all animals and children... and i also know you can buy 'snake fencing' to go around the property or at least the backyard, it is small wire mesh that the snakes cannot get thru, and at least youwill have one safe area for the kiddies....

Answer 8

looks such as you have TMJ - have you ever asked your dentist? That comes from grinding tooth at night - the close by pharmacy could have a mouth safeguard you need to use at night to help end the grinding.