No, she's on a blood thinner (coumadin) due to having a blocked artery a few years ago so the doctors wanted to thin her blood to help prevent any blockages again. It wasn't phlebitis. So when you are on a blood thinner they tell you to avoid getting any kind of cuts or anything that would bleed because the blood won't congeal (?) quickly. I have also heard that it can be more difficult for people on blood thinners to have surgery due to the risk of more bleeding. By the same measure I suppose any bite or poison would move thru your system quicker so its important to treat. PLus, they have to give you certain meds that won't interfere with the action of the thinner.