Waylon’s Rattlesnake Bite Treatment

Thank you to everyone for your generous donations!  We are blown away by the amount of support we have received.

BECAUSE OF YOU, OUR INITIAL GOAL HAS BEEN EXCEEDED AND WE ASK THAT NO FURTHER DONATIONS BE MADE AT THIS TIME!  

Any funds received that exceed our goal, will be

donated to the Southeast GSP Rescue!  

Link below:

https://www.segsprescue.org/

On Thursday March 31st around 11:00AM my dogs Waylon and Seger were playing in the woods near my job site. After several minutes, Seger retuned without Waylon by his side. This was unusual as they go everywhere together. At that point I began to get nervous and look for him. Waylon was found close by laying on the ground unconscious but breathing with a noticeable wound on his front left leg. I scooped him up and immediately rushed him to the emergency vet in Summerville. The first 48 hours were very hairy. It was unclear if he would come out of shock enough to be treated for the venom itself. We proceeded with two rounds of antivenin for the Canebrake Rattle Snake bite, (these are common around the coastal plains and pine woods of The Carolinas and North Florida. I would highly encourage anyone living in these areas to research these snakes to avoid similar encounters. Unlike most Rattlesnakes, the Canebrake’s venom contains extremely potent neurotoxins that induce paralysis and neurological damage). In addition to the antivenin he has received plasma and blood transfusions, IV fluids, medication for pain management, and has currently been under 72 hours of critical care is.

Now for the positives - and forgive me as I am not a vet but this is my general understanding of his condition as it has been described to me. His body has seemed to have flushed the majority of the venom from his system, as his urine has become clear and without blood at

this point. His bloodwork and fluid levels indicate that his organs are functioning properly and there is no major damage which is a huge win as many dogs succumb to rattle snake bites through organ failure. He is slowly regaining movement in his limbs and showing signs of cognition and engagement to sounds, touch, familiar voices, etc…. We cannot predict the final outcome or if there will be any permanent effects at this time but OUR BOY IS FIGHTING and that’s all we can hope for.

Now we ask for your help…

It is not an easy thing to seek outside financial help in this situation. My pride is taking a hit by asking all of you for help. As many of you know and/or can imagine, Waylon’s treatment up to this point has been an enormous financial challenge. We have been told that many pet owners opt out of treatment for this particular type of bite for financial reasons. We have been extremely blessed to not let the COST of Waylon’s treatment prevent us from giving him the opportunity to fight back.

However, we have reached the point where we can no longer go at it alone. Any support received will go a long way in ensuring Waylon is provided the time needed for additional care. If you are not financially capable of sending money, I understand, I thank you, and I still

love you. Please feel free to send a note, write a letter, share this fundraiser with a friend and above all SAY A PRAYER FOR WAYLON’S RECOVERY.

I will continue to provide daily

updates on Waylon’s progress here, we are seeing positive improvements each day and with adeqaute time and help from our community of friends and family, we have faith that he will pull through!

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.

Cole, Maggie, Waylon & Seger