Chloi vs. Rattlesnake

On Friday, April 19th my family arrived to the desert from Nebraska for a fun Easter weekend. That morning I took them along with my 10 year old Siberian Husky, Chloi, to the Phoenix Mountain Preserves, Nature Trail 1.35 miles, 371ft elevation gain, takes me approximately 45-50 minutes.

We walked down into the wash when I went to step and saw a rattlesnake laying across the trail, I jumped back and put my hand to stop by sister-in-law Kaeyla. There was a small rattlesnake laying flat across the trail, with no other options to pass and trying to ensure Chloi didn't see it we were too late and it got her in the leg.

Chloi walked about 10 yards before she started to collapse. We still had about a 1/2 mile to go but it was all uphill from that point. 

My brother, Adam,  put Chloi over his shoulders. It was 90+ degrees and Chloi weighs approximately 64 pounds. He took her as far as he could and then we switched. 911 would not come as they do not help animals. 

Adam and I took turns and eventually Chloi's bowels gave out and that is when I completely lost it. I thought all of her organs were failing and that I was going to lose her on the mountain. She was moaning in pain and it didn't help that we were throwing her around trying to get her to safety.

A woman and her daughter saw and rushed over to help. Adam and I needed a break so Kaeyla and the woman took both ends and walked for as far as they could then it was back over the shoulders for Chloi.

A trail runner named Kim saw us and advised us of another path, the Ruth Hamilton Trail, that went to N 36th Street, it was longer, 0.9 miles, but we would not have had to carry her uphill.
 
Kim continued on the trail with Kaeyla to to get our car & meet us on 36th. Kim booked it down to our car as Adam & I waited. Another hiker Charlie, saw us and rushed to his car instead. 

Myself and Chloi got in and he ran every red light down from the mountain, to 32nd Street, and finally arriving at Blue Pearl Emergency on Indian School. There was a vet closer on the mountain but when I called they did not have antivenom. 

Adam waited for Kim to arrived, she could not find our vehicle and asked yet ANOTHER stranger to get her a ride to my brother. They both came and picked up Adam and then headed back to the trailhead to get Kaeyla and my car. 

Charlie waited for me at the hospital, I let him know he could leave but he said he was going to stay until he knew Chloi was alright.

The vet said that with it only being about 1 1/2 hours since she got bit that she would be good.  The other good news is that the larger the dog, the less antivenom they need. With venom at $450 a vial they estimated that she would need the max of 2. 

After they got her all set up I got to say goodbye to her around 11:30AM. Her leg was swollen but was not bleeding at this time, she was panting due to being over heated and scared.

Diamondback venom makes your blood clot and that is how it can take your life. They do blood smears to check the platelet count and ensure that the blood cells start looking back to normal. 

I spoke to them at 3PM and the said she has been starting to walk on her leg again and was talking to them, she can be pretty vocal when she's hurt. They got her to go outside and go potty. At 9PM they said her platelet count looked good and that they thought she would be released in the morning. At 5AM they said she had abnormal urine color and her platelet level decreased, they needed to issue more antivenom. 

I went in the morning and her leg was oozing blood. They said not to wrap it as it needs to drain but also to not let her lick the wound. She was crying in pain, covered in blood from laying her head on her wound...it was awful. She looked so much worse than when I brought her in. They still needed to do another blood smear and it was not dry yet, I left so she could get some sleep.

At 3PM they called and said she was doing a lot better and was cleared to go home. She has been doing great, drinking water, going to the bathroom, however she still won't eat. The vet said it is due to the pain medicine that leaves her not hungry. 

Each day she will be doing better. I have to take her to the vet on Monday for a follow up appointment and another blood smear. 

I am beyond thankful for the 5 strangers on the mountain who helped us get Chloi to safety as well as to my family who has helped cover a majority of the cost. With my Dad's funeral expenses still being paid & my brother paying for his wedding I want to get that money back to them as soon as I can.

Thank you in advance for your help, love, & support.

Ashley & Chloi