Treatment Of Snake Bites Will Cost You

[CharlieJ]

Treatment Of Snake Bites Will Cost You
Sept. 21, 2006 12:00 AM

Today's question:
I read recently that treatment of a rattlesnake bite costs about $60,000. Is that true?

That sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But it could be so. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the costs of treating a rattlesnake bite can range from $15,000 to $40,000. It depends on how many shots of antivenin you need, whether you need minor surgery, reconstructive surgery or intensive care. And you might need to be airlifted to the hospital, depending on where you are when you get bitten.

The antivenin isn't cheap. There is a new type of antivenin that came on the market in 2000. I am told it goes for $1,000 a shot, and you might need five or six shots, depending on the severity of the bite.

And if your dog or horse should happen to run afoul of a rattler, that's going to cost you, too. I couldn't come up with any firm estimates, but apparently it can run into the thousands. A vaccine that is supposed to build your pet's immunity to snake venom came out a few years ago, but apparently the veterinary community has varying opinions on how well it works.

And a study came out a few years ago that showed the people most likely to be bitten by a venomous snake are young White adult males who have been drinking. So if you're heading into snake territory, be sure to take along a young White adult male who has been drinking. That way he can take the hit for you.

[nomadbean]

Look at the post about advice on venomous snakes.. they are talking about $90,000+ treatments..all depends on how much and what kind of Anti venom you need. It is insane. By the way that last comment you made about the young drunk guy.. Hilarious. Like taking the fat slow guy into a horror movie so he can trip and you can get away clean and free.
Trina
OMNIherp, LLC

[flherp]

The current antivenom produced in the US for crotalidae is expensive. The guidelines indicate that a mild envenomation might receive ten vials of antivenom, moderate envenomations up to 18. A severe envenomation from a rattlesnake will require more, a small rattlesnake can not introduce as much venom as a large EDB (say 4'). That is if the lumen of the venom gland is completely emptied. The large EDB envenomation will probably require more antivenom than the smaller animal. Each bite is different, particularly as to the quantity of venom injected, the patient's general health, etc. Until they breed metered dose snakes, it is a guessing game as to how much antivenom is needed. It will be administered until resolution of signs and symptoms, if you have a physician familiar with antivenom and comfortable with treatment. If you do not, you might receive no antivenom, initially cheap, but when your hand is permanently deformed by venom effects it can cost you for the rest of your life. You might also have a physician who feels that surgery is the best remedy, you will also have some problems associated with fasciotomy. The only definitive care for a true envenomation is antivenom. You could compare it to a chemical reaction, it will continue until an inhibitor (antivenom) is introduced or all the free reactants (venom) are consumed. Is surgery really going to correct this (unless they cut off the whole appendage since it is the reservoir for the venom)? If you read some of the other threads with reference to envenomations, surgery is usually not indicated. True compartment syndrome is rare in snake bites.

You might also read some more on the HSUS site in reference to reptiles, the HSUS position states that reptiles should not be kept as pets (or it is strongly discouraged) by private individuals because you might get salmonella, etc. They might have the further motive of attempting to discourage ownership of venomous animals by private collectors.

[flherp]

The following link is to HSUS, I did not have it for my original post. While some of the concerns are valid, there are other issues that need to be addresses as well. Make up your own mind after you read it.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affe...s_as_Pets.html

You may have to cut and paste the address into your browser,