Try benedryl next time your dog is bitten (unless a rattler, in which case I would get them to a vet asap). I used it and it took the swelling right down. Then antibiotics in case of infection. My old girl was bitten by something while my son was dog sitting while we were out of town. He didn’t notice anything, but when we got back she had a hugely swollen leg, so off to the vet. She drained a couple of cups of icky brownish fluid (probably blood) from the leg and then found the fang marks.
The old girl did ok, but never was quite the same. She died about a year later at almost 13.
susie
Shelley's foot was puffed up - the bitten toe looked like a banana - but there was no fluid to drain out, just general swelling. It was excruciatingly painful, and ice did no good at all.
She stayed overnight at the vet with a mild sedative for the pain, Benadryl, antibiotics, and a saline drip to wash the poison out of her system. The swelling was completely gone in 24 hours, she didn't even limp.
Next time she turns up with a swelling like that, I'll ladle her full of Benadryl first thing!