ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Florida is no stranger to animals and wildlife. Around this time of year, you may be noticing more snakes by where you live.
In Orange Park, residents are noticing more water moccasins in the area.
David Feehley says he saw four or five. "But those are just the ones that I saw."
In cellphone video captured by David Feehley this past Saturday, it shows multiple water moccasins in a retention pond at an Orange Park apartment complex.
Feehley's not the only resident to notice so many. Another resident in the same complex said she noticed the snakes out and about as well.
These residents aren't the only ones to see an increase in the snakes.
Between March and the early fall, Dr. Matt Mizesko, owner of Focused Pet Care in Orange Park said they treat three to five snake bite cases weekly and they are mostly from water moccasins.
"Over here in Orange Park, we’re seeing more moccasins," said Mizesko.
According to Mizesko within the first two hours, doctors swiftly have to act, by administering anti-venom if needed, IV fluids, pain medication and 24-hour watch.
"We try to talk about realistic expectations. What is realistic for the family to go through, what is realistic for the pet to go through," he said.
Anti-venom is pretty pricey, which is why it's administered when needed. It can range from $500-$1,000 a vial.
"It is a medication so there are the rare adverse side effects and we don’t want to hand it out like candy and antivenom is not cheap either," said Mizesko.
Mizesko urges pet owners to come into the hospital within an hour if they believe their dog's been bit.
