CHILLICOTHE GAZETTE (Ohio) 23 August 05 Bite victim faces lengthy therapy effort (Janelle Rucker)

Columbus: A 17-year-old Bainbridge girl remains in fair condition in a Columbus hospital after a poisonous snake bit her last week.

Kristen Carbert has been receiving antivenin medication and had to have surgery Friday at Children's Hospital.

"The pressure in her leg got so bad from the swelling they had to cut slits so it can swell without doing any damage," said Stephanie Carbert, Kristen's sister.

The cuts go from the knee to the ankle on both sides of her right leg, and her foot also has an open cut, said Carbert's aunt, Melissa Bray.

There are vacuums connected to the cuts that are taking fluid out of the leg and are helping with circulation to prevent blood clots, Stephanie said.

Carbert and her 12-year-old sister, Kali Knisley, were bitten Thursday by a copperhead snake while walking behind their Bainbridge home. Carbert was the only one injected with venom. Knisley only suffered a puncture wound and was released from Adena Regional Medical Center.

Kristen remains on a lot of antibiotics and has only gotten six hours of sleep in the last four days, Stephanie said.

Before the surgery, doctors estimated Kristen's stay at 10 days, but now how long she'll stay is up in the air, Stephanie said.

"Copperhead venom attacks everything and goes for the nerve," Bray said.

There is muscle tone and tissue damage, she said, and doctors are hoping to save the nerves.

The future holds skin graft surgery and "a long road of physical therapy," Bray said.
Bite victim faces lengthy therapy effort

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