Published: July 03, 2009 12:16 am      

Beagle survives attack by timber rattler

Freckles is one tough pooch.

The 3-year-old beagle has been fighting the battle of her young life after being bitten by a timber rattlesnake in West Taylor Township.

Thanks to a plucky owner and good medical care, the little pooch should fully recover.

The ordeal began on the morning of June 11.

“I took her for a walk on top of Tollgate Road on game commission land, and we were walking in high grass when a snake came out and bit her twice,” said James Yurasek of Johnstown. “Freckles was walking in front of me and the snake was shedding, so there was no rattle warning, and it must have felt the heat from the dog and just struck her in the shoulder blade.”

From that moment, it was a race against time to save the canine’s life.

After pulling the snake off the dog, Yurasek kept it to show the veterinarian exactly what species bit Freckles.

“It was a five-mile drive back down to the house, so I was driving with the snake in one hand,” he said. “When I got home I put it in a bucket with a lid.”

Yurasek’s wife, Edna, added that no vets in the immediate Johnstown area stock the antivenom needed, and the nearest place was Metzger Animal Hospital in State College.

“We tried everyone and nobody could help us. Even 911 had no idea what to do,” she said.

At this point Freckles was in bad shape and getting worse.

She was going limp and her breathing was becoming shallower.

“We kept petting her and talking to her and trying to keep her eyes open,” Edna Yurasek said.

Because the hospital was alerted to the Yuraseks’ arrival, the antivenom was ready and was administered as soon as the dog was taken out of the car.

The veterinarian, Dr. John Griffiths, said the injured dog was in very serious condition when she arrived at the hospital.

“I was really worried about her,” he said. “She did not look good.”

The doctor said getting early treatment, within 10 or 12 hours, is crucial.

Freckles had bruising, swelling and very dangerous blood clotting problems.

“She was close to needing a transfusion,” he said.

Griffiths called Freckles a “tough little dog” and said her condition was horribly painful.

Her owner said she was on a morphine pump.

“It took about a day for her to be responsive,” James Yurasek said.

“It was all very touch and go for the first 12 hours.”

Along with the morphine, Freckles received five other shots to fight infection, two IVs and a catheter.

After four days in the hospital, Freckles was released and now is home with three other beagles owned by the Yuraseks.

“She’s doing wonderfully, and her gentle personality is back,” Edna Yurasek said.

Although the Yuraseks are left with about $2,600 in veterinarian bills, they are grateful Freckles was saved.

“What are you going to do?” James Yurasek asked. “They are our pets and we have to take care of them.”

Yurasek kept the snake for about a month to educate anyone interested.