Cat Bitten by Rattlesnake

[dani0303]

I hung out with him a bit tonight. He’s still a little bit neurological and too wobbly on his feet to send home. He hadn’t eaten when I got there which worried them but he ate half a small can of wet food out of my hand which was very promising. He’s definitely turned the corner and is recovering well.

My vet has only seen 2 cats survive rattlesnake bites, Rocket being one of them. We’re very lucky that he pulled through. Now we have to come up with new and creative ways to keep him from trying (and sometimes succeeding) to bolt out the door every time it’s opened.

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[Calico]

Wonderful! Cats have nine lives for a reason.

[Peggy]

Wonderful news for you and Rocket!

[Pep_n_Ann]

So glad he is on the road to recovery!

Can you make an enclosed catio for him? That way he could have safe outside time.

[dani0303]

We’re still dealing with a few complications but everything is moving in the right direction. He’s still neurological and having a bit of trouble walking. They’ve seen so few cats survive rattlesnake bites that they’re going to contact csu about neurological side effects because they’re a little stumped.

The good news is that he’s eating now, his pain is under control, and he’s overall brighter and more alert.

[CanadianTrotter]

@Pep 'n' Ann

So glad he is on the road to recovery!

Can you make an enclosed catio for him? That way he could have safe outside time.

Cat enclosures are the best thing for indoor cats. They are really starting to catch on in the areas I’ve lived in and have helped to lower the numbers of cats allowed to roam.

Glad Rocket is steadily improving.

[SonnysMom]

Continued Jingles for Rocket from DE.

[dani0303]

More updates!

After consulting with specialists and reading studies they have learned that cats in particular sometimes have a neurological reaction to venom that may take up to a week to resolve. His whole medical team think it’s best for him to come home and finish his recovery there. If he’s not better in 10-14 days I’ll be taking him to the teaching hospital at CSU for a full neuro workup. Unfortunately I’m getting close to being tapped out financially so fingers and toes crossed it resolves with just a little more time

[StGermain]

I’m so glad to hear Rocket’s doing so well! Good luck!

StG

[Zu_Zu]

Jingles continue for a smooth recovery at home !

((hugs)) for both of you ~ laced with strength and patience and $$$

• the Z gang will ‘spill the ink’ for [B]Rocket man ~ if you two run low and need assistance ~

I adore your handsome lad !

• reminds me of a couple of 'orange felines friends ’ who are waiting for me on the other side of that damn bridge …[/B]

I realize I sound batshitcrazy … may be a reason but my word is good ~

[vxf111]

Continued jingles

[Feliz]

Lots of jingles from The Big Fluff & The Small Fry

[D_BaldStockings]

That is one tough kitty!

Best wishes for a full recovery.

[CindyCRNA]

Thinking of you and your red man!

[Thylacine]

wow.

don’t know if it applies to felines, but in humans ongoing kidney and liver damage from the venom is a real worry for bite victims.

i remember reading that many vets believe that felines have a much better chance of surviving snake bite (venomous) than horses, dogs, or even humans do. but it could also be that younger cats can react with similar speed as the striking snake so the bite might not be as “wet” as in other species.

I witnessed my Bear tread on the very end of a tiger snakes tail while we were coming back down the track in my photo after returning ponies to their paddock. I was watching, it happened in shade so no sun reflecting of its body to alert me to its crossing in front of us.
the very second Bear felt the snake under his paw he jumped about 5ft to the side at the same time the snake struck at him baring its fangs. they both reacted with the same speed in the same direction and was over and snake slithered into blackberry bush within nano-seconds.
I had to go check/watch the snake slither away to be sure what I had just witnessed actually happened!

had I been looking at horses in the paddock, or birds in the tree I wouldn’t have known it happened.

Jingling for your darling orange boy that there are no long term effects in his future.
(also jingling for the state of your wallet… anti venom here is $1000 per vial, and the vets warn that at least 2 vials will be required for even a 10kilo dog. that’s just the anti venom, not the nursing or other meds. gasp
ps. am in australia so rattlers not a problem, just a million other venomous slithery things. lol)

good luck!

[dani0303]

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me. Your well wishes have definitely made this tough time easier and I am endlessly grateful.

Several of you have asked. Right now we’re sitting at about $3k in bills with the potential to go higher if we need to see a specialist. The antivenom itself is $900 a vial plus add in 48 hours in intensive care, IV fluids, pain meds, bloodwork run every 6 hours, etc. At the request of a few people I’m going to look into setting up a GoFundMe this weekend. I hate to be “that guy” but of course this happened on the same week my pickup went into the shop for $5k in repairs. I’m pretty tapped out at this point.

He’s home and sleeping very comfortably. All of my other animals came to sniff him and they seem genuinely relieved that he’s home. He’s set up in the spare bedroom with his cat bed, a litter box, food and water, and me on the floor with my iPad. He seems relieved to be home.

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[Rackonteur]

I just saw this thread. I am glad he is home and doing so well. Jingles for continued recovery for Rocket!

[Thylacine]

poor little orange man - but I should be saying: Lucky, Fortunate Little Orange Man to have such studious stewards:

that he was struck on the skull possibly saved his life.
had he been struck on a fleshy part of his body the fangs could have discharged much more venom instead the fangs hit bone and the snake would’ve retreated rather than risk breaking the only defence weapons it has.

Jingling for Red Rocket!!!
also for his no doubt frazzled, person

[Sistersiouxz]

Poor guy. He’s been through so much. He just needs to get everything out of his system and that takes a little time. But, he’ll be back to normal. I’m glad he’s home.

​​​

[dani0303]

He is home and continuing to recover every day. His personality is starting to shine though again and although he’s still a bit wobbly his gait has almost returned to normal! He still has a long road to full recovery ahead but he’s an incredible fighter.

DH and I are so very thankful for everyone who has reached out to us. We’re so grateful that our sweet boy will be ok. He just needs a bit more time for his body to heal. I’ll have to take him back to the vet regularly over the next few weeks to get the necrotic tissue in his wound debrieded but all signs point to us not having to visit the neurologist!