Spitting cobras

[Kohm]

I've been wondering. What do you do if you get spat at by a spitting cobra?

I know you should rinse it out, but is it wise to use urine as some people have suggested? What is hospital treatment for a spit like? Must antivenin be used as well? How much venom is ejected at one go?

There are a lot of naja sumatrana near where I live in Singapore (and we can't legally keep herps except some turtles here) and I've run into them before, though they just kind of scurry away. They are most probably one of the more common snakes w have here after retics.

I'm looking for more info on the sumatranas cos they don't seem to be very well known, and apparently there is no antivenin for them either. How "hot" are they?

Thanx.

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[Bry]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> There are a lot of naja sumatrana near where I live in Singapore (and we can't legally keep herps except some turtles here) and I've run into them before, though they just kind of scurry away. They are most probably one of the more common snakes w have here after retics. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't think I will ever hear myself say anything like that in my life time. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Bry
[addsig]

[biff]

The venom, if sprayed into the eyes, should be washed out with copious amounts of water. I think the biggest key to recovery is to wash the venom out with some innocuous liquid as soon as possible. Undoubtably their venom is very necrotic and they probably produce large amounts of it.

I would think a hospital would only use a/v for a very severe case. Most eye cases would probably be treated by analgesic drops and thorough flushing of the eyes.

Good luck,
Steve
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[pincess_wy]

Kohm,

Singapore!? That's cool... I've got family over there.
[addsig]

[Extreme]

Getting sprayed in the eyes is not as bad as you would think. The only danger is if you do not have access to water or something to wash it off with. I have been sprayed a time or two without my goggles on. It is painful but if you just wash it off imediately it is ok. Also, injesting the venom it not dangerous either. I did get hit once with my mouth open. Tastes horrible and your tongue kind of goes numb for a while but that is about it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

_________________
&quot;Guns don't kill people, I kill people&quot;

[BWSmith]

Cobra venom is generally primarily neurotoxic. Thus, I do not think that the necrosis would be too horrible compared to other species. TMK, when a spitter nails you in the eye, about all you can do is rinse with as much water as possible being sure to hold your eye open with one hand so that you rinse the eyeball too. The areas where the venom hits around the eyes may become irritated, swell, or develop a rash. I had some venom from a 6' Black Neck Spitter get on my arm and it turned red withing minutes and was very irritated for aout a day. As for the AV and envenomation treatment, I will have to go through my literature for that. it is a pretty obscure species. I would assume that protocol would be similar to most elapid envenomations. A pressure bandage (not a turniquet) I would think would be a very good idea.
[addsig]

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

[BWSmith]

ok. I was mistaken. (it was bound to happen eventually [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] )

Spitter venom is very necrotic. When I began to think about it, it makes sense. When the venom is used for defense, while snot being injected, it naturally would have to be a powerful irritant.

&quot;necrosis often is the chief or only manifestation of envenoming in humans. Occasionally, a combination of neurologic dysfunction and tissue necrosis is observed.&quot;


found this pic on herafauna.com

I have not been able to find LD50's for this species or much detailed info on specific treatment of Asian Spitters. But now I am curious. I am going to send out a few emails to venom researchers I know and see if they have any more detailed info.

Kohm, Can I com herping at your house? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Ed_r]

hahaha. Just wait til you get get married you'll be told often how much your mistaken. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
Killer pic of the cobra. Are spitters know to bite allot? So far everytime i see them they either just hood up and spit like mad and never seem to try to bite. Or are so placid that they never even hood up. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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[BWSmith]

The only two spitters that I have worked with are Black Necks and Rinkhals. The Black necks never stuck, just spit a lot. The Rinkhals would spray and hit the glass too. Just from my own experience, i would have to say.................... I have no idea what is normal [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
[addsig]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>I have not been able to find LD50's for this species or much detailed info on specific treatment of Asian Spitters. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

From what I can gather, this species has been mis-named for quite a while and it is probably listed under a different name.

This site has a &quot;conversion table&quot; for misnamed

Based on it, I would say that this guy's LD50 is gonna be right there with the Monocoled or Spectacled...i.e. 0.350 - 0.373 IV

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Rome did not build a great empire by having meetings, they did it by killing all who opposed them!

Jay