Key Points Summary – Rattlesnake Bites
- Arizona toddler bitten twice by rattlesnake in under 10 seconds.
- Mother found snake hiding behind propane tank near their home.
- Child received over 30 vials of antivenom at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
- Toddler suffered severe foot injury and dropped oxygen levels.
- Recovery is slow, with doctors warning of potential long-term damage.
- Family shares emotional updates and praises medical staff.
- Over $17,000 raised on GoFundMe to support toddler’s recovery.
Rattlesnake Bites: Toddler Survives Terrifying Double Strike in Arizona
In a horrifying moment that lasted seconds but changed everything, a 15-month-old toddler from Florence, Arizona was bitten twice by a rattlesnake. Her family now calls her a miracle.
Seconds Away, A Strike That Changed Everything
Jacquelyn Reed stepped away briefly from her daughter Cara last week. In that tiny window of time, a venomous rattlesnake struck—twice. It was hiding just feet away, curled behind a propane tank near their house.
“I came back and she was crying,” Reed wrote on Facebook. “Her foot was swelling. I saw the snake tucked behind the propane tank.”
Panic set in immediately.
The family rushed little Cara to the emergency room where doctors began life-saving treatment. The bites unleashed venom quickly, and the symptoms were brutal.
Venom Takes Hold: ICU and Antivenom Flood
Cara’s condition worsened fast. She vomited repeatedly. Her energy faded. She was slipping. Doctors moved her to the pediatric ICU at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
There, Cara was intubated for pain control and closely monitored for swelling and blood flow issues in her foot.
Her aunt, Delia Reed, launched a GoFundMe to help with expenses. She shared that Cara needed more than 30 vials of antivenom. The toddler’s oxygen levels even dropped to a chilling 25%.
Doctors described her injury as one of the worst they’d seen.
Hope Amid the Pain
Despite the grim beginning, there is progress. By Thursday, Cara no longer needed oxygen and her feeding tube was stopped. Her mother posted a photo of the brave little girl smiling again.
Doctors are still watching her foot, which suffered severe trauma. The medical team plans to run more tests to see if any venom remains or if internal bleeding continues.
Cara’s journey is far from over, but her fight is inspiring.
Experts Weigh In on Snakebite Danger
According to the Cleveland Clinic, multiple snake bites can lead to higher venom doses, compounding the danger.
“This can increase the severity of symptoms,” their warning reads, “and reduce the time available to seek treatment.”
Cara’s case confirms this. Quick response likely saved her life.
Outpouring of Support
As of Thursday night, the GoFundMe had raised over $17,000. Comments flood the page, offering prayers, love, and hope.
Reed said every doctor who checks on Cara now calls her survival a miracle.
“She shouldn’t be here,” one told her. “But she is.”
Toddler’s Willpower Amazes All
Despite pain and medical interventions, Cara continues to amaze. Her strength is undeniable.
“Cara was able to progress to no oxygen by the end of the day,” Reed reported. “She is slowly eating on her own again. We are so blessed.”
The toddler’s blackened foot is still healing, and her future remains uncertain. But her family is holding strong.
“She continues to fight a hard fight and we are so cheering her on!”
Rattlesnake Bites: The Battle Isn’t Over Yet
Cara’s battle is ongoing. Doctors remain cautious. They monitor her closely to ensure venom doesn’t linger in her tiny system.
But her recovery already defies expectations. Her story is one of trauma, resilience, and the sheer will to survive.
Rattlesnake bites are always emergencies. For Cara, they nearly became fatal. But thanks to a swift medical response, a determined family, and a brave little girl, there’s hope where fear once lived.
Cara’s story is a reminder: danger can strike in seconds—but courage lasts forever.
