A family dog bitten by a Green Mamba in Newlands East, Durban, has died despite desperate efforts to save her life.
Local snake catcher Jason Arnold and paramedic Kyle van Reenen rushed to the scene on Sunday night after the dog's owners called for help.
The dog was in critical condition - barely able to breathe - when they arrived.
Arnold performed chest compressions during a frantic drive to Westville Veterinary Hospital, guided by a vet over the phone.
Once there, vets administered vials of anti-venom and placed the dog, who was 11 years old, on a mechanical ventilator.
Arnold confirmed on Monday morning that the dog did not make it through the night.
“I got the call from the owner this morning to say the dog didn’t make it. I’ll be speaking to the vet later today to try and understand exactly what happened,” he said.
“It might have been that it being an older dog, the venom was just too much for her system to cope with.”
The heartbreaking outcome comes after Arnold made an emotional plea for financial help on Facebook. The community responded swiftly, helping raise over R6 500 within hours to begin treatment.
“I'm sure we haven’t yet reached the full target for the vet bill, but the donations we’ve received so far have made a really big difference,” Arnold said, adding that he’s waiting for the final invoice from the vet.
The full bill is expected to exceed R25 000, and donations are still welcome.
In his emotional Facebook post on Sunday, Arnold said:
“These people don’t have the money needed for the anti-venom to save this dog’s life. And it’s going to kill me to watch it die. Any financial assistance would be so appreciated. I just want this dog not to die.”
Veterinary treatment for venomous bites doesn’t come cheap. Westville Veterinary Hospital, where the dog was eventually taken, usually requires a R10 000 deposit for snakebite cases. But thanks to an overwhelming community response, Arnold was able to pay R6 500 - donated in a matter of hours - to get the dog admitted.
The journey to the vet was nothing short of desperate. Arnold rode in the back of a bakkie, performing chest compressions the entire way to help the dog breathe.
“The moment I stopped compressions to hold on around sharp turns, she’d panic and kick. But as long as I kept going, she was still. We got her there semi-conscious. It’s a miracle.”
Once at the hospital, vets immediately administered four vials of antivenom, intubated the dog, and connected her to a mechanical ventilator to support her breathing.
“Now we wait and pray that the antivenom works and she starts breathing on her own,” Arnold said.
The vet bill is expected to top R25 000, and donations are still welcome. Arnold promised to share a donation link for anyone willing to help.