[tarawood]

RecconsMama, you are right. They are supposed to give antivenin for rattlesnake bites. I don't want to scare you, but I am also working on my Master's in Environmetal Toxicology in addition to my law degree (I want to practice environmental law), and I am quite familiar with the effects of various toxins on the body, and rattlesnake venom is both hemotoxic and neurotoxic. Hemotoxic means it affects the blood and will destroy blood cells and skin tissue which can result in internal hemorrahing. Neurotoxic means that it will affect the nervous system and usually this is evidenced by lethargy and breathing problems (they might even stop breathing altogehter). The biggest concern is that you said the snake was very small, which I am assuming means it was a baby rattlesnake and baby rattlers have a majority of the neurotoxic chemical in their venom. If it was an adult rattler, you would see primarily hemotoxic effects. As a result, baby rattlers are the most dangerous. The cortizone shot will stop the swelling caused by the bite, but the antivenin needs to have been administered. Did your vet do that? If not, please call another vet and talk to them or take your baby in. I'd hate for something really bad to happen to him.