snake bites?

Question

hello, i was told that most hospitals in va do not treat snake bites or even carry anti-venom.is this true?they said that all you have to do is keep hydrated.the snakes in my area are the northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake.

Answer 1

No neither of those statments is true. Hospitals in Virginia do carry the antivenom for regional snakes.

Keeping hydrated isn't an issue with snakes - it's defening your body against the neurotoxins in the venom. Some snakes venom is necrotic to tissue - meaning that your skin will literally rot off. No amount of gatorade is going to save you. Some snakes venom will react by constricting bloodflow - again drinking water isn't the anwser - you need to see a Doctor ASAP!

Answer 2

Not true. I'm in Texas and even the vet keeps antivenin ( the proper spelling ) on hand.

With respect to Copperheads, some doctors may elect not to USE antivenin right off, because the Copperhead is the least venomous of the Crotalinae subfamily of vipers found in the US ( and there are potentially greater risks associated with taking the antivenin ). Next comes Cottonmouths, and finally the Rattlers. Many people are bitten by Copperheads and recover without treatment, and I even had an Indian friend who was bitten by a Cottonmouth and recovered without treatment; though that practice with anything more potent than a Copperhead can make you very ill and leave severe scarring from tissue necrosis, or a more seroius reaction.

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3185714

Many hospitals don't carry much of the stuff because it is expensive ( up to $2000 a vial ). Antivenin Crotalidae Polyvalent ( ACP ) has been the standard antivenin for many years, and is derived from horses. The newer Crofab antivenin is derived from sheep. There is a higher possibility for severe antivenin reaction with ACP than Crofab. But Crofab is still relatively new, and costs much more.

My understanding of hemotoxic venom action on red blood cells is that the venom reduces the surface tension in the blood plasma around the red cells, causing them to swell and take in too much water through their membranes, and bursting them. Called a hemolytic action. Hydration certainly couldn't hurt I guess in order to maybe dilute venom that will be attacking your blood cells and other tissue, and when you get to the hospital they are going to put you on a saline IV drip with the antivenin anyway. It stands to reason that any addition of fluids to a concentration containing a toxin will result in a reduction of venom toxicity. I would ask a doctor who understands hemotoxic venom action.

Here is some information on both antivenins and first aid for snake bites:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020401/1367.html

Answer 3

Easiest way to find out if your local hospital has antivenin is to call them and ask. I think that it is a requirement that ALL hospitals have some antivenin for local venomous reptiles. Snake bites in some areas are more common than others. I live in Texas and we have several in the state each year with an occasional fatality. Venomous snake bites are no joking matter, sometimes the bite can kill and sometimes will leave large amounts of tissue damage and the loss of limb function.
You may have an interest in this link from VA.:

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_poison/snake.cfm

Answer 4

I also live in virginia and kow first hand tht they do keep anti venom for local specimens. The animals in this area are all hemotoxic, and the best thing to do is isolate the bite area, no cutting and sucking, so grab something to make a tornequit (hope I spelt it right, but basicly tie a shirt or something else to slow the blood flow towards your heart and away from the bite area so its mopre difficult for it to travel to the rest of your body) and stay calm (if possible) remember the faster your heart beats the faster the venom will travel.... so be careful when you go out hiking and good luck

Answer 5

Snake bites are so rare that most hospitals only carry a minimum supply of the anti-venom. Resupply is only a phone call and ahelicopter ride away from their location.

Wear heavy boots and long pants and don't handle the snakes.

Answer 6

Ahhhhh I think you better do your homework and read up on your state and its species of snakes. Both the copperhead and the rattler are venomus pit vipors. Drinking water is not gonna help you if you take a hit by one of them. there are many web sites that will tell you exactly if there is antivennom in your state or not. most people who are bit by certin snakes in the wild is caused by carlessness and not knowing educate your self before you trek out in the woods and wetlands.then agian people are forceing many animals out of there habitat and into ours so you gotta be careful around your homes to. snakes mostly just need to hide and they will hide in places you just mite put your hand into and wam ur bit....Best thing to do is dont panic make a turniqet above the bite and twist it off to slwo the travel of the vennom. calmly get help I know I know it will be had to stay calm but its best not get your blood flowing to much it will only speed things up....But look up on the web...what to do if biten by a snake educate yourself.

Answer 7

no its not true and if you do get bit and if your in the woods you have a friend with you cut it a little bigger if its not big and have him suck the blood out of it about 4-8 times and have him spit it out every time to get out the poison