A dog was rushed to the hospital and is now fighting for her life after her owner told Action News Jax she was bitten by a rattlesnake.
"I ran outside just in time to hear a screech," owner Mike Merrill said.
Merrill said his dogs were out in the backyard Monday night when he heard ferocious barking, something he said is out of character.
He said he began to check the dogs for marks when he noticed Sweet Pea’s lip started swelling.
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“I blotted the Kleenex on there and got two little dots of blood and I thought immediately, 'Snake bite,'" Merrill said.
Merrill said he rushed Sweet Pea to the animal hospital, where she was given a vial of anti-venom.
"It was a race against time because we didn't know how much time we had," Merrill said.
Now, with her face swollen cheek to cheek, Sweet Pea is being dubbed the miracle dog.
"It's heartbreaking because she's such a sweet dog and she doesn't know what's going on," Merrill said.
Merrill said this isn't the first time he saw snakes in his backyard.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the number of people being bitten by venomous snakes is rising this year.
The increase is attributed to warmer weather. Florida is considered to be a hot spot for both venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Merrill said he is hoping Sweet Pea will be OK, but these next two days are critical.
A local snake trapper said it’s hatching season for snakes and he typically gets about three snake calls a day, but now, he said, that number is up to 30.