SMITH COUNTY (KYTX) - Summertime in East Texas means swimsuits, sandals and snakes.
One little girl is still recovering after being bitten in her driveway.
5-year-old Kennedy Wood was sent home from Dallas Children's Hospital yesterday after a 3 day stay and lots of treatments.
Tonight, her mother is hoping her story will keep others watching before they take a step and wind up with a similar problem.
Stephanie Wood was taking out the trash Sunday night, her 5-year-old daughter Kennedy right behind her.
She says that's when a baby copperhead snake bit Kennedy.
After a visit to the ER in Tyler, they took Kennedy to Dallas Children's Hospital, where doctors gave her 12 viles of anti-venom.
"The swelling was horrific, we had to measure her leg every 2 hours," says Stephanie Wood.
The swelling isn't as bad as it was, but Kennedy still can't walk.
"Any snake bite needs to be looked at right away, preferably at an emergency room that has anti-venom. That's the most important part," says Dr. Kurt Neilsen with Trinity Clinics.
Dr. Neilsen says there are 4 types of venomous snakes in East Texas, copperheads and coral snakes, but the two that are the worst are water moccasins and rattlesnakes.
"Different toxins do different things, can damage kidneys, can damage nervous system, can break down blood," says Dr. Neilsen.
Dr. Neilsen says snakes can be found under a small amount of leaves, in piles of wood or behind your trash can so when you go outside you should pay attention, and wear shoes that cover your feet.
"They're cold blooded, like to lay in the sun and warm their body temperature up," says Dr. Neilsen.
"It's an experience I hope to never go through ever again, to see your child in this type of pain. It's not – I can't even explain it," says Wood.
A warning to parents, and a lesson learned for the Woods.
"We didn't' have on shoes, but we will now, won't we?" says Wood.
Dr. Neilsen says if you are bitten by a snake, try to kill the snake and bring it with you to the emergency room.
They say it's so they can determine if it's poisonous and what anti-venom you may need.
Dr. Neilsen says you should also call ahead to the hospital so they can have the anti-venom ready when you get there.
Trinity Mother Frances Health System says there was a spike in snake bites last year because of the drought.
They don't believe the numbers will be as high this year.
