A 15-month-old boy from Sarnia, Ontario, is recuperating at home after a rattlesnake bit him at a family cottage over the Thanksgiving weekend, necessitating treatment at two hospitals and 18 doses of antivenom.
The incident occurred when Wells Gladwish was bitten on the thumb around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday while spending time with family at their cottage in Cape Chin North, on the Bruce Peninsula.
According to his father, Matt Huggett, the toddler encountered the snake near a family bonfire and attempted to pick it up, resulting in the snake biting Wells on the thumb, causing it to turn white within five minutes.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the family rushed Wells to Lion’s Head Hospital, where medical staff struggled to start an IV due to the active nature of the toddler. After conducting a test dose and administering 10 vials of antivenom out of the hospital’s supply of 14 vials, Wells was stabilized.
A family member captured a photo of the snake, identifying it as an eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous snake species in Ontario found along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula.
Following discussions among doctors and toxicology experts, it was decided that Wells required further treatment at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), Victoria Hospital. Plans for an Ornge air ambulance transfer were delayed, prompting the Lion’s Head team to advocate for Wells to receive the remaining four vials of antivenom before being transported to London via land ambulance.
Upon arrival at LHSC’s Pediatric Critical Care Unit after a three-hour ambulance journey, Dr. Rishi Ganesan, a pediatric critical care physician, prioritized securing additional antivenom for Wells, as London did not have it readily available.
Wells received two more double doses of antivenom in London, bringing the total to 18 doses. Ganesan, drawing on his experience treating snakebites in India, highlighted the importance of timely antivenom administration and monitoring for potential complications.
Doctors closely monitored Wells’s condition for the need for additional antivenom due to potential tissue damage and blood clotting issues caused by the venom. Ganesan emphasized that while antivenom is crucial, it does not address all complications arising from snakebites.
After being treated and monitored, Wells was discharged and returned home to Sarnia, displaying signs of recovery, though his family continues to observe him for any delayed reactions to the antivenom.
Ganesan advised that anyone bitten by a rattlesnake should seek immediate medical help, emphasizing the importance of prompt care for a full recovery. He also urged caution when outdoors in areas where rattlesnakes live, suggesting watching one’s step and avoiding provoking or disturbing the snakes.
