SNAKEBITE!!!!

[BWSmith]

Just getting your attention [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I am just curious how many people here (if any) have sustained an envenomation. Like John White said, when working with hots, it is not a matter if you get bit, it's a matter of when. So far (knock on wood) I have not sustained an envenomation or even a dry bite, although there have been some VERY close calls!
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	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

[Extreme]

I am with you on this one. Luckily I have never been bit. I have had some heart stopping close calls. Good reason to have antivenom on hand. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[Ravnos]

Erm... I got tagged by my asian vine snake. Little redness, some unusual 'warmth' to the bite area, no other noticable effects. I have no intention of getting bit by anything worse. =)

Rav

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[mac136]

I took a bite in the foot from a rattler in CA while out looking for snakes, it burned like #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& for about 5min. Swelled up pretty good. I would compare it to a bad bee sting.Hospital visit consisted of blood pressure/temp check every 15min for 3-hrs then released w/o any treatment. they said most people do not drop dead from rattle snake bites and they only used the anti-venom when a bad reaction was present
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[BWSmith]

Sounds like a "dry bite" to me. THis is where little or no venom is actually injected. This tends to happen primarily when you startle a snake or step on it. Just don't bank on it that rattler bites are comparable to bee stings. But alot of people to recieve dry bites. The lucky ones do [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Here is a bite photo from the SHHS website (venomousreptiles.org)


Western Diamondback bite (Crotalus atrox)

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"Don't tread on me. I am well prepared to defend myself, but content to pass through life unnoticed. I mean no harm to anything that our creator has not proved as my bill of fare. I am self-sustaining, I like it that way. Please pass me by." -Bill Haast

[Ed_r]

the severity of the bite depends on the species of rattlesnake. There are some that really don't inject allot of venom. Not all rattle snake dump venom like the eastern or western diamonbacks. some evolve eating easy prey to kill and the venom delivery system regulates the amount down.
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[BWSmith]

Good point, Ed, but even a Pygmy Rattler can rot off a finger [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] The severity of a bite involves several things: Snake Species, size, how much venom injected; victim size, health, and allergies; treament recieved, the list goes on and on. But as a general rule, there is going to be some tissue damage from a moderate to severe envenomation from any crotalid. Although I have seen some strange effects in the recent EDB bite. The symptoms were almost completely related to neurotoxins with very little tissue damage. This is scary that the rattlers are seemingly developing a venom more comparable to a cobra. But that is off the point [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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	Eastern Diamondback Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

	neurotoxin Neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells – neurons – usually by interacting with membrane proteins and ion channels.

[Ed_r]

Well BW I think I recall you saying something to the effect that EDBs from different locations have developed different toxins in the venom? This would make sense that same species from different ares would feed on different prey, thus need different toxins. Evolution in the making.
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	Eastern Diamondback Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

[Ravnos]

I know a guy who took a hit from a lepidus, and basically went on a 6 hour acid trip. No other effects. Another guy in W. TX this year was tagged by a molossus and went to the hospital where they administered antivenin, even though he had no outward signs of necrosis, no severe swelling, nothing. I just hope to god, if I ever do get tagged, that I'm conscious to set the #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& ems and doctors straight - so many, even ones in areas that deal with snakebites frequently, are clueless and probably do more harm than good.

On a side note, check this pic...

a bite from a monocle cobra - pic nicked from Venom Supply Ltd.

Rav

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The darkness might conquer, but it can never extinguish hope. And though one candle, or many, might flicker and die, new candles will be lit from the old. Thus hope's flame always burns, lighting the darkness until the coming of day.