Snake Bite Question

Lonestar86

Piggy backing on the Toliet Snake story......Had a local kiddo (8 years old) bit by a copperhead the other night on the ankle...Went into the ER and they refused to give him anti-venom except as a last resort if he went into shock. His leg was black up past his knee.... Is this normal protocol? Is it true that the anti-venom can be worse for you then the bite? Doc also told his parents that if they gave him the anti-venom and he was bite again they could never give him anti-venom again for fear of serious cardiac problems.

dav1965

They did not give my cousin anything either.

dan kelly

yep, thats the usual thing here too, although all snakes here(in my island state) will kill you if they get venom in you if you don`t have anti venom, but the docs always wait and see if you show signs of having venom in you before they will give you anti venom. just shaking like a leaf and pooping your pants isn`t a good enough reason to give it to you apparently[B)]

tomahawk

yep, usually just a tetanus shot...a copper head just makes you a little sick is all..i been bit bunches. it don,t even bother me anymore[;)][xx(]

MFinn

Lot of folks have reaction to the antivenom, that is why.

gunnut505

Copperheads aren't as poisonous as a Timber Rattler or Prairie Rattler, but a Sidewinder can and will do you in. I got bit by a 4' Diamondback years ago while tying in some drill holes for a mining project, and after the helicopter arrived, they told me I couldn't have any antivenin due to the pint of JD I had ingested. The area just died and left a 1/2 dollar sized dent in my leg. I was violently ill, chills, rash, sweating like Obama doing math; and it lasted about 4 days.

Suspension

quote:Originally posted by gunnut505
sweating like Obama doing math; and it lasted about 4 days.


[:D][:D]

WCI

Wife's a vet and says it sounds correct.

Beeramid

The copperhead is not a highly toxic snake, biggest threat is a bacterial infection due to the filth in their mouth. There are stories of folks gettin bit and not going to the MD, and being fine.

Lonestar86

The lad is doing better.
His leg still looks terrible, someone mentioned chills and feeling ill, he told his folks he wanted to vomit and had chills for two nights. His mom said all the Doc's scared him more then the bite.

Interesting side bar, he told her he thought he was stung by a wasp at first until he looked down and saw the snake. I would have thought the bite itself would have been more noticable, but what do I know having never been bit. It has been a good lesson on snake bits in any event.

screwobama

I've heard that soaking the infected area in hot water- as hot as you can stand- is good because the hot water helps to break down the venom. Tha't what numerous DR's have said when interviewed on those snake shows like History and Discovery channel.

Mgderf

quote:Originally posted by screwobama
I've heard that soaking the infected area in hot water- as hot as you can stand- is good because the hot water helps to break down the venom. Tha't what numerous DR's have said when interviewed on those snake shows like History and Discovery channel.
Any sting or snake bite can benefit from a wet paste of baking soda. It acts as a drawing salve.

tomahawk

feels like a sting ,then a burn...if you have a dog with you sit down and let him lick it..i know it sounds gross but if'n you show the bite to a dog,they will lick it on instinct,i don't know why but it will keep you from gettin sick...something in a dogs spit[;)][xx(]

Rebel_James

I've also heard hitting the bite sight with a 'stun gun' will help neutralize the poison. Supposed to work for snake and bee/wasp/yellowjacket stings too.

'Taze me right HERE, bro!'


;

tazzer

Iv been told by a doc. to use adolf meat tenderriser <spelling>
it breaks down the venom also.

dan kelly

rebel james...[:0]i`d rather have the venom in me thanks![B)]

calrugerfan

quote:Originally posted by Mgderf
quote:Originally posted by screwobama
I've heard that soaking the infected area in hot water- as hot as you can stand- is good because the hot water helps to break down the venom. Tha't what numerous DR's have said when interviewed on those snake shows like History and Discovery channel.
Any sting or snake bite can benefit from a wet paste of baking soda. It acts as a drawing salve.


We use to put toothpaste on bee stings. Would that work too?

slipgate

I've read of cases of copper head bites where the victim loses the limb that was bitten.

chollagardens

Doc also told his parents that if they gave him the anti-venom and he was bite again they could never give him anti-venom again for fear of serious cardiac problems.

I have/had a friend that was bitten twice. If I remember correctly both were Red Rattlesnakes. The Red is considered a toned down Western rattlesnake as far as disposition and danger from a bite. The second time he was given antivenom he had a reaction to the antivenom and came close to dying.