Snake Bites

[rawalley]

Any of you guys been struck? I was wonder the price and process of treating a snake bite. Tell me some scary stories before turkey season.

[levi127]

Photo taken at the zoo. Can you find the copper head in the photo?

[rawalley]

back right?

[levi127]

back right?

Nope
Hint
You can not see 1 inch of his boby, only see his head

[levi127]

Photo taken at the zoo. Can you find the copper head in the photo?

He is not a large one. I would say maybe 2 feet long. But in the photo you can not see 1 inch of his body only his head. If I could get it on here bigger I would which might make it easier to see. I had to look for minutes there in front of him to find him. This was only 3-4 inches from the glass also and probably 3 feet from him

[rawalley]

no clue...

[levi127]

back right?

You have better eyes then me! That is one curled up in the back right! Never even seen it till you pointed it out. So their are 2 in there, that I can see. Alot clearer on my phone then in these photos.
But here is the one I saw hiding. Just right of the wood block in the leaves

[rawalley]

I cant see him even now that I know where to look.

[aweyerman]

Got slapped on the foot by a 6-7 foot rattle snake going up some rocks in a wash trying to head off a bird. Was wearing boots and didn't penetrate, hit me twice in a split second. I gave him a $5 shell and forgot the bird. 7 rattles 2 buttons

[rawalley]

thats huge... killed a 5ft two years ago, first and i hope the last i ever see.

[BR549]

Yea I got bit. Long ago during dove seasin. Sept '70. No antivenom at local hospital. Country dr. Dad used a snake bite kit on me in the field and doc just cleaned me up and gave a big shot of a.ntihistamine back then. Sent me home and told get it elevated and get a bucket! I threw up for 3 days, leg swoll bout twice its size but all started getting better after about a week. Everyone ought to experience it! It will give u new found respect for a cottonmouth I tell you! I litterally had to put my hand on this snake to get him off me. He didnt let go!

[Jelly]

Yea I got bit. Long ago during dove seasin. Sept '70. No antivenom at local hospital. Country dr. Dad used a snake bite kit on me in the field and doc just cleaned me up and gave a big shot of a.ntihistamine back then. Sent me home and told get it elevated and get a bucket! I threw up for 3 days, leg swoll bout twice its size but all started getting better after about a week. Everyone ought to experience it! It will give u new found respect for a cottonmouth I tell you! I litterally had to put my hand on this snake to get him off me. He didnt let go!

So that's what's wrong with you! Another piece of the puzzle falls into place..

[gator]

to answer your question, if deemed necessary to treat medically, the treatment of choice for pit viper poisoning (i.e. strikes) is a product called "CroFab". it's derived from the circulating antivenum in sheep serum - there is an equine based product i think that may/may not have been pulled from the market due to high incidence of allergic reactions.

generally, you infuse 4-6 vials of the stuff over an hour or so as soon as possible upon presentation to the ER. after that, maintenance treatment is 2 vials every 6 hours for 18 more hours (or, 3 additional doses after the load). I've seen as many as 16 vials required to adequately treat the patient, and that's not counting pain medications, antibiotics, etc etc etc that are required.

taking insurance/copays/etc out of the equation, a single vial fo crofab will cost several THOUSAND dollars, though i can't remember the exact number to be honest.

long and short of it, actual medical treatment of a venomous bite can get expensive in a hurry.

interestingly enough, i saw/dealt with a total of 3 adult snake bites last year. NOT a single one involved a hunting incident (which, for me is mildly comforting). rather, each one concerned a few rednecks, a BUNCH of beer/drugs, and most assuredly a phrase such as "hey ya'll, watch this chit."

my wife, however, is a pediatric pharmacist at Blair E Batson children's hospital here in town....they see a far amount just from kids outside in the summers playing, sticking their hands in/around logs, building forts in the woods,etc etc.

personally, i'm petrified of snakes of any kind and while i try not to just "kill" one, i ain't loosing no sleep over it either....others like the "@#$%#" and would lay down with them if given the choice......cuique suum

gator

[dukhntn]

taking insurance/copays/etc out of the equation, a single vial fo crofab will cost several THOUSAND dollars, though i can't remember the exact number to be honest.


gator

Cost on one vial of Crofab is roughly $2,100. This is before it is marked up by the facility.

[mfalkner]

In Genesis Ch 3, God cursed the serpent and said I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen 3:15)

Now I don't go out of my way to hunt a snake but if one gets up on me I will follow Biblical teaching and bruise his head....