Texas Rescue Saves Neville After Double Rattlesnake Attack

When Neville the Boston terrier arrived at Austin Pets Alive! on March 26, his face was so swollen that veterinarians couldn't even find the puncture wounds. The small dog had been bitten twice by a rattlesnake, once on his tongue and once near his eye, leaving him in critical condition.

His family faced an impossible choice. The treatment was complex and expensive, so they made the heartbreaking decision to surrender Neville to their veterinarian rather than euthanize him. When the clinic reached out to Austin Pets Alive!, the rescue immediately said yes.

The medical team got to work right away, administering antivenom, IV fluids, pain medication, and antibiotics. Veterinarians worried Neville might lose his eye as swelling overtook his tiny face.

Today, Neville is showing real signs of progress. His swelling has improved enough that his eye is visible again, though he's still battling some serious side effects like regurgitation and bleeding in his right eye.

"Neville isn't completely out of the woods yet, but our team is showing him lots of love and care as he recovers," said Rebecca Giamona, assistant medical care director at Austin Pets Alive! She added that even while feeling sick, Neville craves human affection and snuggles with his caregivers.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story so moving isn't just that Neville is getting a second chance. It's that his family loved him enough to seek help even when they couldn't afford it themselves, and a rescue organization valued his life enough to take on the challenge. Every day, Neville receives careful medical attention and the cuddles he desperately wants, proving that even the smallest lives matter to those dedicated to saving them.

The rescue is using Neville's story to educate pet owners across Central Texas, where spring and early summer bring peak rattlesnake activity. Dogs are at risk anywhere outdoors, including their own backyards and neighborhood trails.

Warning signs of snake bites include sudden weakness, body swelling, visible puncture wounds, shaking, dilated pupils, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. Quick action can mean the difference between life and death.

Neville still has recovery ahead, but he's surrounded by people determined to help him heal.