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| Poor swollen Tuffy! |
Last Saturday, Tuffy was rushed to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center &
Urgent Care after being bit twice by a rattlesnake in the face! This
happened in her own backyard – Tuffy and her family live on a ranch in
Livermore. She was treated immediately
with pain medication and stayed overnight for care. Her severe swelling
had to be constantly monitored and measured to ensure she was improving.
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| She's not feeling too well... |
Rattlesnake bite symptoms are very serious; besides the extreme
swelling and pain, the toxins from the venom disrupt blood clotting and
interfere with circulation. This can lead to shock and death. The
swelling can also impair a pet’s ability to breath – also leading to
death. Necrosis of the wounded tissue can occur, sometimes leading to
amputation. It is not surprising that rattlesnake bites are 20 to 25
times more fatal in dogs than in humans.
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| Monitoring her progress. |
Luckily, Tuffy’s treatment
went well, she improved and was able to go home with her family on
Sunday. Rattlesnake bites are a reality for pet owners in the East Bay.
The rattlesnake vaccine can help your dog when they need it most by
lessening the severity of the reaction and buying valuable time to get
to the vet for treatment. Rattlesnake vaccines are only $25 though the
month of May. You can learn more about the vaccine here. You can also read Dr. Weaver's blog about rattlesnakes, the vaccine, and rattlesnake avoidance tips here.
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