What started as a regular walk for Piper the dog and her owners in Durham quickly turned into a scary and potentially expensive ordeal.
"She was sniffing at the edge of the trail and then jumped back, and a little bit further on, she just sat down and said, ‘I'm done. We're not walking anymore,’” Bill Robbins said.
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Robbins said that after a trip to the vet, they learned a snake had bitten Piper.
"She's harassed black snakes before, and I'm hoping she learned to leave snakes alone," he said.
Fortunately, Piper didn't need antivenom as a treatment, which was a relief to her owners. However, the incident was a close call that could have come with a steep price.
WRAL News contacted three major health systems in the Triangle to ask about the price of antivenom. WakeMed and UNC Health responded.
According to UNC Health, an initial dose of four to six vials can cost between $47,000 and $77,000. WakeMed states that each vial costs between $12,000 and $13,000, resulting in a similar overall cost, depending on the case.
A spokesperson for WakeMed stated that whether they use four or six vials for the initial dose is based on the patient's specific presentation and the amount of venom to which the patient was exposed. Then redosing is based on the response to the initial dose, and if the swelling or venom effects continue to spread or resolve.
So why the high prices?
A spokesperson for UNC Health explained that producing antivenom is both complex and costly. It also requires careful storage and administration, which adds to the expense.
If you have insurance, it typically covers a significant portion of the cost. But if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, the bill could land squarely on you.
Increased temperatures in Raleigh are causing more snakes to become active near trails and gardens, prompting warnings from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission this time of year.
The UNC Health spokesperson said snake bites typically increase as the weather gets warmer, especially when it’s very hot and more people work and play in the yard early in the morning or in the evening.
So far in 2025, WakeMed and UNC Health have reported treating nearly 200 cases of snake bites, a trend they typically see during the summer months.
Related: Raleigh woman bit by copperhead snake while protecting dogs
North Carolina wildlife officials advise leaving copperheads alone, if spotted as many bites happen when people try to capture or kill the reptiles.
According to experts at Duke Health and UNC Medical Centers, you should seek immediate care at an emergency department after a bite. Even if you don't know what kind of snake bit you, assume all bites are from a venomous snake. You should not drive yourself to the hospital after you are bit as you may become dizzy or pass out.
After a bite, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that you:
- Take a photo of the snake from a safe distance to help physicians determine the species.
- Remove any jewelry near the affected area, since you may experience swelling.
- Wash the bite gently with soap and water.
- Do not apply ice or a tourniquet, and do not try to suck out the venom.