04-06-2025
Chihuahua sent to Gilbert animal hospital after being bitten in the face by a rattlesnake
Veterinarians warned rattlesnakes and dogs shouldn't be friends after an incident sent a Chihuahua to a Gilbert hospital.
12-year-old Murphy was bitten by a venomous rattlesnake in April 2025, according to Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center in Gilbert.
Murphy was enjoying some outside time in his Gold Canyon backyard when his owner realized a rattlesnake had bitten the dog on the right side of his face.
His face quickly began to swell, and Murphy's owner took him to the animal hospital where he was treated and received antivenom.
Murphey responded well and went home with his owner the next day, according to the veterinary hospital in a news release.
"Dogs are at an elevated risk for rattlesnake bites because of their curious nature,' said Dr. Coyne Hopey, emergency and critical care resident at the animal hospital. "If your pet is bitten by a rattlesnake, immediate medical attention is critical. Severe or life-threatening symptoms may occur immediately after the bite or within a couple of hours."
Snake bites for dogs are life-threatening, painful and typically require numerous visits to a vet to treat, according to the hospital.
Pet owners should take precautions to prevent a snakebite in the first place, such as keeping a short leash on a dog when walking in areas prone to snakes, the animal hospital said.
Avoiding many of those areas all together, such as dense brush, rocky and grassy areas, is an even better practice, said the animal hospital.
If a rattlesnake is spotted, calmly back away until out of the snake's striking distance, about the length of the snake's body, according to the veterinary hospital.
Immediate symptoms for pets included swelling, restlessness, panting or drooling. Severe symptoms could include lethargy, weakness, muscle tremors, diarrhea, seizure and slowed or difficult breathing, the animal hospital said.
If a dog is bitten, carry the dog to a vehicle and limit it from moving, as it will prevent the spread of the venom, according to the animal hospital.
Rattlesnakes typically want nothing to do with humans, but it is important to stay prepared in case of a run-in.
Dr. Frank LoVecchio, medical toxicologist at Valleywise Health, recommended the following steps when dealing with a rattlesnake bite:
Remove any close-fitting or tight items. The bite area will begin to swell as the snake's venom begins trying to digest blood, tissue, and muscles.
Do not move the bite area. The more it moves, the worse it hurts.
Elevate the affected body part to prevent the venom from pooling in one part of the body.
Go to the hospital immediately. Call ahead to make sure the facility has antivenom.
Call the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-221-1222 for further guidance.
A toddler was bitten twice on the foot by a rattlesnake at her home in Florence May 16.
15-month-old Clara Reed was airlifted to the hospital where 30 vials of antivenom were administered, and she was placed on a breathing tube until May 19.
Doctors removed the entire top of her foot and part of two of her toes, according to a GoFundMe set up to aid the family and provide updates on Reed's recovery. Reed's skin graft surgery was scheduled for June 16, the GoFundMe said.
In 2024, the state poison center reported a 4% increase in the number of rattlesnake bites, the total being 182 bites. The number of cases peaked during the months of August and September, the poison center said.
Of the 182 reported bites in 2024, 107 cases were reported in Pima County, 22 were reported in Cochise County and 12 in Mohave County. Zero cases were reported in Maricopa County, despite having the largest population in the state.
The Republic's Mary Jo Pitzl contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dog bitten in the face by a rattlesnake; taken to Gilbert hospital
