WHITE RIVER – A local 16-year-old’s love for animals combined with quick thinking, led to his best friend’s life being spared after being bitten by a puff adder.
Treasure Magagula walked all the way from his home in Msholozi, to seek urgent help at White River SPCA, about four kilometres away. Michelle van Wyk, the SPCA inspector, immediately attended to his Africanis dog, Nick, and rushed him to White River Animal Hospital.
According to Dr Michael York who treated Nick, the puff adder’s cell-destroying venom had caused severe swelling to the face.

It’s a very painful bite as this venom damages tissue and destroys cells, very similar to that of a gangrene effect,” said York.

York immediately administered anti-inflammatory and pain-killing medication as well as antibiotics and a drip.
“We continued to monitor him. After a few hours, when we did a reassessment, we found that the swelling had gotten much worse,” said York.
The only thing that could save him, was antivenom. “We decided that even though it’s expensive, this was the only option to save Nick’s life,” added York.
“Within a few minutes, he responded positively to the medication after which he started eating and the swelling subsided.”

York said were it not for the generosity of the White River community, which opened their hearts and donated towards the antivenom treatment, Nick might not have made it. He added the community extended their compassion by contributing towards Nick’s sterilisation. “This will be done once he is strong enough,” concluded York.

“Treasure loves animals and often helps them in the area where he lives. He is volunteering at the SPCA and learning about the role of the SPCA in society and how we can help each other,” said Van Wyk.
She said Nick is doing really well and is getting lots of love. “Treasure has been visiting him almost every day,” she concluded.

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