A 15-month-old toddler in Sarnia, Ontario, is recuperating at home after a rattlesnake bite incident at a family cottage over the Thanksgiving long weekend. The child, Wells Gladwish, was bitten on the thumb while at the family’s cottage in Cape Chin North on the Bruce Peninsula.
The incident occurred when Wells encountered a snake near a family bonfire and attempted to pick it up, resulting in the snake biting his thumb, causing it to turn white within minutes. Recognizing the severity of the situation, his father, Matt Huggett, rushed him to Lion’s Head Hospital for immediate treatment.
At Lion’s Head Hospital, Wells received 10 vials of antivenom after initial difficulties with starting an IV due to the toddler’s activity. Subsequently, the decision was made to transfer Wells to London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), Victoria Hospital for further treatment.
Due to delays and cancellations with the Ornge air ambulance, Wells was eventually transported to London via a land ambulance after receiving the remaining four vials of antivenom at Lion’s Head Hospital. Upon arrival at LHSC, additional doses of antivenom were administered to Wells, totaling 18 doses throughout his treatment.
Dr. Rishi Ganesan, a pediatric critical care physician at LHSC’s Children’s Hospital, highlighted the collaborative effort among medical teams and specialists to ensure Wells received the necessary care promptly. Antivenom treatment was closely monitored to address potential complications such as tissue damage and blood clotting issues.
Despite the intense treatment process, Wells showed positive progress and was discharged to the children’s inpatient unit before returning home to Sarnia. His recovery is being closely monitored, with attention to any potential delayed reactions to the antivenom.
Reflecting on the experience, Huggett expressed gratitude for the dedicated medical staff and specialists involved in Wells’s care. Dr. Ganesan emphasized the importance of prompt medical attention for snakebites and advised individuals to seek immediate medical assistance if bitten by a rattlesnake.
Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, the only venomous snake species in Ontario, typically avoid humans and bite when provoked. Dr. Ganesan advised caution while outdoors in areas where these snakes reside, urging people to stay vigilant and avoid disturbing or approaching snakes in the wild.