Man Bitten By Venomous Snake In Critical Condition
Hollywood, Fla.: A Hollywood man is in critical condition after being bitten by a venomous snake.
Officials said they believe an eastern diamondback rattlesnake bit the man on Sunday evening.
But the man didn't receive treatment until family members took him to Hollywood Memorial Regional Hospital on Tuesday.
"He's got swelling, discoloration to his arm where he reported being bitten, and he is having some bleeding disorders," said Jeffrey Robb with Miami-Dade County's Venom Response Unit.
The man will be treated with anti-venom, but doctors said he could see some long-term effects, like kidney problems, because of the delay in treatment.
Snake expert James Peacock showed NBC 6's Hetal Gandhi an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
"It's really not something you want to play around with," Peacock said. "I've had a couple of venomous snake bites and I recommend always going to the hospital."
Peacock said South Florida is in the middle of snakebite season and residents working outside should be careful.
"Most people that are bitten by these have gone to the snake. The snake doesn't come to you," Peacock said. "Never put your hand where you can't see. Don't sit down in a place you're not looking. When you're out in the yard working, wear gloves and use tools to roll over logs or piles of debris. Don't do it with your bare hands."
Man Bitten By Venomous Snake In Critical Condition - Local News Story - WTVJ | Miami
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