Beagle survives attack by timber rattler

Local News

Related Photos

Todd Berkey
Todd Berkey

Discussion

July 3, 2009

BY KELLY URBAN The Tribune-Democrat Fri Jul 03, 2009, 12:16 AM EDT

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.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Female jail guards to stand trial in alleged inmate trysts
Two suspended female Indiana County jail guards have been ordered to stand trial in connection with alleged sexual assaults involving three female inmates.

February 8, 2012
Highlights of Gov. Corbett's state spending plan
Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Blogging with heart
I was feeling overwhelmed yesterday, so today, I’m organizing my work. I have talked to probably a couple dozen people for Heart Month stories and I have pages and pages of notes.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
$27.1B budget proposed
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Universities face steep cuts
State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.

February 7, 2012
Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend
While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.

February 7, 2012
Detour hurting some Portage businesses
Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping

February 7, 2012 2 Photos
Local airport funding intact
Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.

February 7, 2012
With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input
The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.

February 7, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Beagle survives attack by timber rattler

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Contact Us