Dolly's Recovery from a Rattlesnake Bite

Hi, my name is Lauren and I am Dolly's mama. She is the sweetest, happiest Labradoodle. She loves to jump, cuddle, kiss and HIKE. She loves to hike and has enjoyed 100's of hikes, but on this last hike, Easter Monday, April 10, she encountered a rattlesnake who sunk his fangs right into her muzzle. She is expected to make a full recovery (prayers appreciated) but has been at the Conejo Valley Veterinary emergency hospital since Monday and is still there tonight. She has received lots of wonderful treatment, pain meds, round-the-clock care and an IV among other services. Dr. Duff thought I could take her home possibly this afternoon but thinks that she now needs a plasma treatment to help her fight off the toxic venom in her system.

I don't know what I'd do without my Dolly and I couldn't say no to the treatment. It is beyond what I even anticipated and my friends told me to set up a GoFundMe for Dolly's emergency care which has rounded off to $10,300. Rattlesnake bites are expensive to say the least.

What I've learned:

Rattlesnakes are already out in full swing. Trails that are narrow are more dangerous because a snake can come out from the brush and there isn't a wide trail where they can be spotted in advance. My roommate taking her for the run didn't even know Dolly had been bit. Apparently, a snake bite is a 10 out of 10 pain but Dolly never gave us an indication that she was in pain except she didn't want to eat or drink, and only wanted to hide under the living room table, one of her favorite places. She then became very lethargic and started labored breathing. I noticed what felt like a turkey gobble in her neck which is good sign that there has been a snake bite. As the toxins started to go throughout her little body she got worse and worse and we took her to the emergency vet hospital.

There are two primary kinds of rattlesnake venom, neurotoxic and hemotoxic. Rattlesnakes have a cocktail of both. Hemotoxic venom destroys red blood cells specifically, which affects tissues and internal organs. It can lead to heart attacks and internal bleeding. Neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system and can cause muscle paralysis and unconsciousness. Both types of venom can be deadly.

So pray for lil Dolly and that the plasma treatment is the added bonus she needs so can pull through and come home soon.

Thank you for caring and stay safe with your sweet pets.

Blessings,

Lauren