Serval cat recovers after rattlesnake bite at Fresno County sanctuary
Bahati, a serval at Cat Haven in Dunlap, survived a rattlesnake bite and seizure after antivenin. Fresno County keeps snakebite protocols ready as spring risk rises.
Bahati, a serval at Project Survival’s Cat Haven in Dunlap, recovered after a rattlesnake bite and seizure, then returned to the Fresno County sanctuary after antivenin treatment. The facility says it is an innovative park dedicated to the preservation of wild cats, with 25 cats along a 1/4-mile trail and public tours Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The case lands as rattlesnakes wake from hibernation across Central California, when spring encounters can turn dangerous fast for people and animals alike. California Poison Control works with area hospitals so antivenom is available when needed, and residents who suspect a bite can call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help around the clock.
Fresno County’s public health emergency medical services manual includes a snakebite protocol for both basic life support and paramedic crews. The county guidance calls for assessment, airway support and removing constricting items such as rings, jewelry and clothing, then marking the edge of swelling and measuring the bite site every 15 minutes. That local protocol reflects how quickly symptoms can worsen and why emergency care matters before swelling and pain spread.
Veterinary experience shows cats can survive rattlesnake envenomation when treatment comes quickly. EveryCat Health Foundation cites a retrospective study of 18 cats with suspected rattlesnake envenomation in Southern California from 2007 to 2010, and Wild Wonders said its serval Sabi was bitten in the face by a rattlesnake and was receiving anti-venin. Those cases underscore that pets and wildlife do not have time for home remedies or delay.
Project Survival’s Cat Haven, which lists itself as a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on education and conservation of exotic and endangered cats, can be reached at (559) 338-3216. In the foothills around Dunlap, where snake activity is a familiar spring threat, Bahati’s recovery is a reminder that antivenin, emergency protocols and fast transport can make the difference between a bite and a fatal outcome.
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