A woman and her cat in Southern California were bitten by a rattlesnake on successive days.
Both the woman and her pet cat, Magic, received anti-venom and are recovering, CBS News reported.
Here's what to know
Before the first incident, the Los Angeles County woman was gathering cat toys in the backyard of her Palmdale home when the rattlesnake struck her index finger.
A neighbor then drove her to a nearby hospital.
The woman's sister, Souny, described how quickly the symptoms escalated.
"She couldn't feel her legs anymore. Her entire face felt numb, she was having a hard time swallowing and her throat was kind of, like, starting to close up."
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While the woman was still undergoing follow-up care, Magic was also bitten and taken to a veterinarian for anti-venom treatment.
Speed is critical in rattlesnake bite cases, Dr. Ali Jamehdor of St. Mary's Medical Center noted.
"The bite happens, the venom gets released, and their jaw opens back up, and they go back out," Jamehdor explained.
"We always urge people that when there is a bite in the field, to get to an emergency department very rapidly and quickly, and not just wait for things to happen. Because once they start happening, things happen very quickly."
What can be done?
Because venom can affect the body quickly, Jamehdor warned that waiting for symptoms to worsen can be dangerous.
People should be especially careful with pets and children outside, particularly near brush and in shaded areas, said Cary Quashen, who runs The Snake School in Santa Clarita.
Before picking up toys, tools, or other items from the ground, pause and check the area carefully.
Because the family suspected the snake might still be on the property, Cary Quashen, who runs The Snake School in Santa Clarita, was called to the home and eventually found it after an extended search.
If you believe a snake is lurking nearby, it may be safer to contact a trained professional than to search for it alone.
"If you see a snake, don't panic. Just back away and you'll be fine," Quashen advised.
Where can I learn more?
The family's back-to-back bites remind us that rattlesnake encounters can escalate fast for both people and pets. These stories look at pet emergencies and other close calls near homes and on trails.
• On a California hike, a husky mix needed 2 vials of antivenom after a rattlesnake bite.
• A homeowner was bitten after trying to move a porch snake away from neighbors.
• At a Colorado wedding, a pregnant mother started CPR after a rattlesnake bit a toddler twice.
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