This snake accounts for more serious and fatal bites than
any other reptile in the United States because of its wide distribution.

Many llamas have been lost to Rattlesnake bite!! If you are in an area with Rattlesnakes, you should keep supplies for treatment in your medical kit. If your llama should happen to get bitten, quick treatment is necessary.

From Bobra Goldsmith:
"Sandy Mubarack of Southern California has saved 13 (!) llamas from rattlesnake bite succesfully. She recently recommended to me to get flexible tubing with 3/8 in. interior dimension and 5/8 in. exterior size. I found 3/8 in. x 1/2 in tubing and got that. It should be 2 ft. long.

The tubing I got is clear, like what a vet uses.Also, it needs to rounded at the end where it was cut at the store--so that the edge isn't sharp. And one of the things Sandy told me was that all her animals did eat and drink. All but two were on their feet all the time. the other two she propped up in sternal position with bales and put another bale under their heads while they were kushed. The important thing was to keep them eating and drinking to dilute the toxins and flush the system, plus the the IV, of course.

After the tube is inserted in the nostril the excess should be passed up between the ears and fastened on with duct tape. Her vet puts the llama on IV and the animal is kept calm, etc."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Another source of information about the treatment of Rattlesnake Bite.
This article has photos and also instructions for a snake trap.


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