Samaritan Veterinary Center, the only veterinary clinic serving the Globe-Miami area, has already treated nine rattlesnake bites this year as of early May — all involving dogs.
That number matches the clinic’s total for 2025.
“We had nine all last year,” said Dr. Jeffrey Eubank, who founded Samaritan Veterinary Clinic in the early 1990s.
Typically, the clinic sees rattlesnake bites between April and October, averaging 12 to 15 cases annually across dogs, horses and cats. However, this year is already trending well above that pace.
“It’s not even May yet, and I’ve got nine, so it's really on the up,” Eubank said. “It’s really concerning because we’ve got a long way to go with snake season all the way until October.”
Cases have been reported across the region, including Winkelman, Tonto Basin, Wheatfields, El Capitan, the Salt River Canyon and a ranch near the fairgrounds.
“The snakes are everywhere, and so that increases the risk,” he said. “It’s a good idea to let people know that the snake activity has been very above average.”
Bites often occur in the evening hours around sunset, when both people and snakes become more active. Pet owners often take dogs out for walks as temperatures cool, the same time rattlesnakes begin to move.
In some cases, however, an owner may not witness the bite. When that happens, getting the animal medical care in a timely fashion becomes more critical, because the tissue damage can’t be undone, Eubank said.
“The first four hours is a golden period, the optimal time,” he said.
Dogs are most often bitten on the face, as they tend to investigate with their noses. Cats, by contrast, are usually bitten on the legs after attempting to strike at a snake.
Vaccines are available for dogs and horses, though not for cats. Vaccinated animals generally have a better chance of survival and a faster recovery time, Eubank said.
Cats also face an added risk due to their smaller size, receiving a higher dose of venom relative to their body weight. While many do survive, severe cases can result in limb amputation due to tissue damage caused by the venom.
At the clinic, treatment typically involves administering antivenom, even in some vaccinated animals.
In his 30-plus years practicing in the area, Eubank said no two cases are exactly alike.
“I've seen hundreds and hundreds of bites. And they're all somewhat different. You see one, you think they’re all like that — no,” he said. “It depends on the size of the animal, the size of the snake, how good the bite was, how secure the bite was, the sensitivities of the animal, and the general health of the animal, because if the animal has other comorbidities, other illnesses, then that affects their ability to fight this.”
Despite the severity of rattlesnake bites, outcomes are often positive for animals who receive prompt treatment.
“I think the only one that we've treated that died in the last five years has been one who had other health problems,” he said.
Nonetheless, Eubank encourages pet owners to stay vigilant.
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