Snakebite a real risk for people, pets

It took a while for the realization to sink in, but Megan Jung’s dog may have saved her life.

Jung was walking Echo along trails in the greenbelt July 28 when the dog was fatally bitten by a rattlesnake.

“Echo was walking in front of me on the trails,” she said. “The snake attacked her unprovoked before my eyes. If she hadn’t been there, I may have been struck instead.”

Jung took the dog to a local vet for treatment but it was unsuccessful. To warn others of the hazard, she and her husband created and posted warning signs for the five entrances to the greenbelt trails; and she noted that the Greenbelt Alliance’s Facebook page also cautions trail users about the presence of venomous snakes.

“I brought this to the city’s attention and have requested a meeting to discuss signage or temporary trail closures — it’s very dangerous,” she said.

Rattlesnakes have come to the attention of many people recently in terms of attacks on animals and humans — if they weren’t endemic to the area, it’s unlikely the deadly reptile would be the high school mascot.

Veterinarian Dr. Julie House said it seems she has seen more snakebites this year than last, and that that is a trend that seems to be continuing. “We seem to deal with them quite a bit, certainly in the spring and fall,” she said, adding that the construction going on all around San Marcos has factored in too, as homes are being built in what was snake habitat. “That has them stirred up.”

She’s also noticed rattlesnakes appear to be in places they weren’t before, another indication they have migrated.

Snake and human interactions have resulted in bites too. Central Texas Medical Center has treated four people for snakebites so far this year, one in March, one in May and two in June. There were nine snakebite cases at CTMC last year — one in February, two in March, two in April, one in July, two in August and two in September. Though snakes are less active in cooler months, interactions can occur at any time of the year.

Contrary to the old myth, no one should ever attempt to suck the venom out of a snakebite, Dr. Vard Curtis of CTMC insists. Likewise, a tourniquet should never be used.

“If bitten, you want to immobilize the joint or the area,” he said. “In other words put it in a splint, or try not to move it very much — if you get bitten on the leg and you keep walking, you’re circulating the venom.”

While keeping the area still, Curtis advised immediately seeking medical treatment. “The sooner you get the antivenin the better off you’ll be.”

He said CTMC has on hand adequate supplies of Crofab antivenin. “It’s very expensive and can require many bottles and many thousands of dollars — but the outcome is worth it.” Snakebite victims typically spend time in Intensive Care, he said, and are given antivenin until the progression of the swelling stops.

Megan Jung’s makeshift warning sign.

He said he’s seen patients of all ages, and many patients reported being near water when they were bitten.

Snakebite avoidance classes are held for dogs twice a year at Tickle Blagg Animal Hospital. Staff member Terry Miller said the class is typically held in the spring and fall, though a date for this year’s fall class has yet to be set. “It will probably be September or October,” she said of the popular class.

Both Tickle Blagg and Dr. House also have rattlesnake vaccine for dogs. That doesn’t protect them entirely from the effects of the venom but is intended to reduce its severity.

“We don’t use it on all dogs but we let owners know about it,” House said, adding that dogs she would typically recommend the vaccine for include hunting dogs “or those that have lots of property or go walking along trails.” She also recommends it if the dog’s owner or the owner’s neighbors have noticed rattlers in the area.

Jung is willing to do all she can “to spread awareness with the intention of preventing this pain and loss for another family,” she said. “Echo had many friends in the community as we walked daily, and she is well known by a large circle of residents.”