Roxy ‘feels great’ after recovering from coral snake bite

Published March 27th, 2008

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

In her own words, Roxy, the 11-month-old Dachshund from Delray Beach who nearly died from a coral snake bite, said she “feels great.”

That comment is posted on her website, roxydoxy.com, where the nine-pound pet’s experience with the coral snake – and her difficult recovery – is outlined.

Roxy’s veterinarian, Dr. Sidney Lehr of the Delray Beach Veterinary Hospital, said the little dog “is doing very well.  She is fully recovered.”

When Roxy first arrived, though, Dr. Lehr feared the Dachshund wouldn’t make it.

He said the bite of a coral snake causes paralysis – for dogs or humans.  Blame Mother Nature for that, he said.  The coral snake paralyzes its prey before eating it.

Coral snake bites are rare. A website about this variety of snake said about 20 bites, give or take, are reported each year.

Dr. Lehr said the venom of the coral snake “is as toxic as a cobra’s venom.”

Roxy is the pet of Jeremy and Alethea Brooks.  They said they would have done anything to help the little pooch get well.

The efforts have worked.

The Brooks didn’t realize Roxy had been bitten by a coral snake.  But one night, they noticed her acting strangely, vomiting and appearing disoriented.

They rushed her to an emergency veterinary clinic in Boynton Beach. Then, they returned home to find the reason for the dog’s illness – and found the coral snake in the living room.

Dr. Lehr admitted it was touch and go for a few days, but Roxy soon started getting stronger, and is now at home with her family.