She's worried the 4-year-old dachshund will get bitten by a pygmy rattler - again.

The little dog has been struck twice in three weeks, joining an increasing number of pets falling victim to rattlers' poisonous fangs.

Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa, a 24-hour clinic specializing in emergency care, treated twice as many pets for rattlesnake and cottonmouth bites this year than in 2001.

Neil Shaw, the center's medical director, said he's not sure what's responsible for the increase. Development may get part of the blame, though.

``Without a doubt, when areas are cleared, we see an increase of snake bites in that area,'' said Shaw, president of the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society.

Our recent weather phenomena may be another contributor.

``The hurricanes did cause a lot of flooding,'' said Paul Moler, a wildlife biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. ``In areas that had significant flooding, it may have well pushed the snakes up the hill.''

People living on the edges of wooded areas are also more likely to encounter snakes, he said.

When property floods, snakes seek higher ground - often in people's back yards, said Christine Jacobson, a certified veterinary technician at Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service, 14923 N. Florida Ave.

At least 15 snake-bitten pets were brought into her emergency center during the past two weeks, she said. Those are just the ones she knows about.

While poisonous snake bites are treatable with antivenin, they can be deadly.

Savannah's second pygmy encounter nearly was.

The Smiths - Tracy and Michael and their children Nicholas and Alex - live next to a wooded conservation area in Lexington Oaks.

After Savannah was struck in the family's side yard, they began taking her out to the front yard. Then one afternoon last week, as the dog poked her nose into some mulch under a small tree, she was struck again.

``It was just a split second,'' Michael Smith said.

This time, Savannah had a severe reaction to the antivenin, going into anaphylactic shock, veterinarian Alexis Moreno said.

Before her dog was bitten, Tracy Smith said she never gave much thought to the danger of snakes.

Pet owners should be cautious, but remember the snakes aren't out hunting for their pets.

``Snakes are not aggressive animals. Basically, they're just defensive,'' said Dustin Smith, assistant curator of herpetology and aquatics at Lowry Park Zoo.

``The snakes almost always are biting because they feel threatened,'' Shaw agreed. ``Typically dogs get bit on the front foot or the muzzle. They see a snake and are naturally curious,'' he said.

In wooded areas, keep dogs on a short leash, Shaw advised.

If you see your dog sniffing or pawing a patch on the ground, call it away, he said.

``Certainly a person should not put themselves between their pet and a snake,'' Shaw said. Don't move the bushes, either, he said. You could get bitten.

It's possible to train dogs to avoid snakes, Moler said. People who are really worried can cover their fence with hardware cloth from below ground level to about 2 feet up.

Cats get bitten, but less often, Shaw said. When it happens, it tends to be deadly because cats generally weigh less than dogs.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake, check for swelling, bruising and puncture wounds, Shaw said, and take it to an emergency animal clinic.

The special care that Savannah required cost about $5,200. The Smiths don't regret spending it.

``She's my baby girl,'' said Tracy Smith.

Savannah is home from the hospital, but still getting back to normal.

``She's a little trouper. I think she's a cat with nine lives - instead of a dog.''

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 259-7150.

PLAYING IT SAFE

* In wooded areas, keep dogs on a short leash.

* If you see your dog sniffing or pawing a patch on the ground, call it away.

* Do not put yourself between a pet and a snake.

IN CASE OF BITE

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake, check for swelling, bruising and puncture wounds. Take it to an emergency animal clinic for treatment.