As most of you have probably already heard, my sister Cindy Kieffer’s beloved Golden Retriever, Sambucca, was bit by an Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake on 9-15-2025 on her tongue and near her mouth. When Cindy realized what happened, she took Sambucca to the emergency vet in Ft. Myers where they began treatment immediately.

Sambucca was given IV fluids, pain medication, and needed four antivenom injections. She was released the next evening and is doing better. Sambucca still has a lot of swelling, it's still hard for her to eat because her mouth is so sore, and walking is difficult—the venom has made her joints and muscles so sore.

Her treatment at the emergency vet was very expensive, and the vet visits and bills will continue. If you can help Cindy, Mike, and Sambucca, it would be greatly appreciated.