Quote:
Originally Posted by megascops-osio
storing a/v of sufficient quantity for an 8' eastern diamondback could mean storing $100,000 worth of a/v for ONE bite. a/v has a shelf life too, so if you are smart and avoid the business end, then you'll effectively waste $100,000.
and no one can really define "sufficient quantity" because no one can predict the envenomation details, reaction, etc.
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Since the US has mainly Crotalids, native venomous species are a bit different as they are all (except Micrurus) treated with a single polyvalent. The current treatment is CroFab (about $900 a vial) and the "average" treatment is about 12 vials (6 initial dose, then followup doses). I see no need to keep CroFab on hand since it is often found at local hospitals and it is not "rare" in the US. Now I do recommend keeping tabs on AV supplies in one's area. Also if you have the ability to get exotic AVs, I would have some Bioclon on hand for particularly neurotoxic rattlesnake envenomations (i.e. Neotropical, Mojave, Canebrake, etc).
For exotic species, you have to get an orphan drug license. Not impossible to get, but not simple either. Primarily just alot of red tape. With exotic species, it would always be ideal to have as many vials as is recommended for a severe envenomation. Realistically, I would say keep at least enough to cover the first 12-24 hours. Bare minimum should be an initial dose. Exotic AVs are generally much more reasonably priced.
