A hidden rattlesnake turned an ordinary dog walk into a medical emergency in Albuquerque after a pup named Zinc was bitten on the nose and needed two rounds of antivenom to survive.
The frightening encounter also reminds us that as neighborhoods expand into wildlife habitat and extreme heat pushes animals to seek shade and water, surprise encounters can happen fast.
Here's what to know
During the walk, Zinc — the dog of Mesa del Sol residents Jordan Montoya and Nicolas Pezzullo — stuck her head into a bush and was bitten.
"She's just walking along, puts her head into the bush and bam she gets bit right on the nose," Montoya said.
According to KOB, the bite caused major swelling in Zinc's nose, and she spent 12 hours at an emergency veterinarian receiving care.
Four days later, Pezzullo said, Zinc took another turn, refusing food and water and appearing to struggle again before prescribed antibiotics helped her recover.
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"She's pretty much completely back to health," he said.
KOB also reported more snake sightings around the area. Bob Myers, owner of the Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque, said hot weather has made snakes somewhat less active, but they are still searching for water and may retreat to cool, shaded places such as backyards.
More background
In comments to KOB, Myers said some snakes are "desperate" for water, which can bring them into residential yards.
Snakes are not always a danger, and Myers noted that they can help by reducing rodent populations.
He said, "Between you and me, I'd rather have a snake in my garage than a nest of rodents."
Even so, a snake concealed near a house or in shrubbery can be a serious hazard for dogs that investigate the world nose-first.
What can be done?
When KOB asked how people should respond if they encounter a rattlesnake.
Myers advised: "Don't panic, don't run, don't scream and run around in circles."
Albuquerque residents who need a snake relocated can call 311, and the Rattlesnake Museum can also assist with rescues.
Zinc fully recovered, though her veterinarians told KOB that antivenom must be administered within a brief window after a rattlesnake bite.
Where can I learn more?
Zinc's ordeal is one of several wildlife encounters that turned routine outings into emergencies. The stories below include another dog rushed in for antivenom after a California hike, along with coyote and wild pig scares near trails and parks.
• On a California hike, a husky mix needed 2 vials of antivenom just after gotcha day.
• Near a Dallas trail, a coyote chased two children and rattled nearby families.
• Across California parks, a uniquely destructive wild animal has proved remarkably hard to stop.
Wildlife encounters like these remind us to stay alert where neighborhoods, parks, and open space meet. For dog owners in particular, they also show how much quick action can matter.
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