The South Texas Herpetology Association, San Antonio, Texas
membership info   |   about stha   |   field trips   |   special events   |   meetings   |   member links   |   herp links
Reptile Rescue ("Snake Calls")   |   herps & health   |   texas laws

 
Bela Demeter, a biologist with the department of herpetology at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.: "It's best not to do a whole lot. If you have not done first aid on a snake bite, then you haven't done anything wrong yet."

General Rules on Snakebite Treatment
by Dr. John L. Kiel

  1. The best first aid is immobilization of the patient and the affected part (splinting, direct pressure, compression over bite).
  2. Do not use tourniquets.
  3. Incision and suction of wound is ineffectual in removing venom 30 minutes after the bite.
  4. Wash skin.
  5. Coral snake bite shows little local reaction; may see anesthesia euphoria; patients observed up to 48 hours for respiratory and cardiac abnormalities.
  6. Remember antivenin is a horse serum immunoglobin and may cause anaphylaxis-sensitivity test; note history of allergies and hypersensitivites.
  7. Polyvalent antivenin (crotalidae) is not effective against coral snake venom; only effective against rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. A separate coral snake antivenin is available (Wyeth).
  8. I. V. is the best route for antivenin (may be given in sodium chloride or 5% dextrose).
  9. The longer one waits the more damage from snake venom.
    1. Up to 4 hours after bite antivenin is very effective.
    2. 4 - 8 hours, less effective.
    3. 12 hours, questionable value.
  10. More severe the envenomation, the more antivenin.
  11. Smaller the patient, the larger the snake, the more antivenin.
  12. Up to 90% of patients develop serum sickness from antivenin in 5 - 24 days: malaise, fever, urticaria, edema, nausea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, and arthralgia.

Return to Your Health and Herps page