Western Colorado Woman Saves Dog From Potentially Fatal Snakebite

A woman saved her dog from what could have been a fatal rattlesnake bite after encountering the dangerous reptile on a hike.

Read More: Colorado is Home to Some of the World's Deadliest Animals |

Keep scrolling for the entire story and to learn tips on staying safe from rattlesnakes in Colorado.

Colorado Woman Saves Her Dog After Being Bit by a Rattlesnake

Recently, Heather Root and her two dogs, Miko and Murphy, were enjoying a hike on the Kokopeli Trails near Loma, Colorado, when the animals encountered what Root assumed was a non-venomous snake.

However, she soon realized that it was a dangerous rattlesnake as it proceeded to bite Miko on the snout.

After speaking to her husband, an EMT, on the phone, Root took his advice and carried Miko down the trail to minimize the spread of the venom while the one-eyed husky remained calm.

Once she got back to civilization with both of the dogs, Root was able to get Miko to the veterinarian in time to administer life-saving anti-venom, and the husky has made a full recovery.

Caring for Dogs + Avoiding Rattlesnake Bites in Colorado

While an estimated 80% of dogs that suffer rattlesnake bites survive with treatment, it's the anti-venom that is key. Without being treated, dogs run an exponentially higher risk of succumbing to the dangerous reptile's venom.

It's recommended that while in Colorado's great outdoors, you keep an eye on where you're walking at all times, and if you do come across a venomous snake, try to avoid it at all costs.

Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snake native to Colorado, and while a bite could be disastrous, the reptiles are not known to chase after humans or larger animals.

[Western Slope Now]