A 7-year-old girl from Gilbert, AZ, is on the mend after a scary rattlesnake bite went untreated for over 30 hours, according to 12news.com. Little Allie Brasfield fell while walking with her dad at a park, and although there were no immediate signs of a snakebite, her ankle started looking bruised and the symptoms worsened. After several trips to different hospitals and no answers, doctors at Phoenix Children’s Hospital finally discovered rattlesnake venom in her system. Allie ended up needing two surgeries, 40 vials of antivenom, and multiple blood transfusions to save her leg and her life.
While Allie is home and recovering, the family is now facing the reality of potentially sky-high medical bills, as their insurance doesn’t cover the costly antivenom (which can range from $1,000 to $17,000 per vial). The family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the expenses and is focusing on getting Allie back on her feet—literally—with another surgery and physical therapy ahead.
Just like Allie’s ordeal in Arizona, Montanans need to be aware of the risks that come with exploring the great outdoors, and how important it is to recognize the signs of a snake bite, even when they aren’t obvious right away.
