astrobaja
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Source for rattlesnake antivenin
Hi
thought this might be of interest to those who might like to have some antivenin on hand in case help is far away.
In our case we are at least 1.5 hours from help.
Since snake bite kits are pretty much a waste of money,
and traditional liquid antivenin derived from equine or sheep is very expensive(around $1000 a bottle) and have limited shelflife. Also many have
anaphylactic reactions to antivenin.
A Mexican co. has been marketing a 3rd generation powdered antivenin which can be given intramuscularly. All you need is injectable water to mix it
with. Nice thing is it costs about $120 a bottle lasts for years and has much less chance of adverse reaction. I'm going to order a few bottles to
keep on hand.
Heres the website:
http://www.bioclon.com.mx/antivipmyn.htm
With all the rain its already a banner year for reptiles, we see loads of them!
-Mike
[Edited on 4-10-2008 by astrobaja]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by astrobaja
With all the rain its already a banner year for reptiles, we see loads of them! |
Starting to see them here as well. Rain pumps up the food chain. Lottsa water means lottsa green means lottsa rabbits means lottsa coyotes. Don't
know where the cascabel fits in there but, lottsa them too. I guess they go after rabbits as well.
Mike...I bet your place in the Sierra is crawling with them.
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vandenberg
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A stick with a rattle on the end when you're in snake country is all you need. They're more afraid of you than you should be of them. Rattlers are,
for starters, not deadly. Can make you very sick though. People have an unreasonable fear of snakes. Have encountered a few during camping and hunting
trips. If one coils on you and uses its rattles, just stay in place and the critter will slitter off as soon as it has figured out you're no threat.
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David K
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APRIL is the #1 month for rattlesnakes...
So it seems, as that's when I always come across them (3 during one trip):
April 2003, Mision Santa Maria:
April 2003, Montevideo:
April 2003, south of Las Flores:
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April 2004, near Rancho el Parral/ Valle Chico:
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April 2005, Valle de las Palmas during Squarecircle's trip (it was down in a gully, what they are looking at):
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MexicoTed
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Rattlesnake Bites
| Quote: | Originally posted by vandenberg
Rattlers are, for starters, not deadly. |
Vandenberg,
I remember reading about two deaths in Baja California from rattlesnakes in the last 25 years. One in Sierra Juarez I believe and the other near
Picacho del Diablo.
Both deaths came from large snakes and were due, in part, from how remote the area the person was and how long it took to get help.
Does anyone else recall either of these incidences?
ted
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DianaT
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I wonder about using this with dogs. I always worry more about them, and while not always, I have know a few dogs who have died from rattlesnake
bites.
Our dogs have had the adversion training and the vacine, but neither one is full-proof.
What do you think?
Diane
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astrobaja
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Diane-- the antivenin from this company can also be used for dogs, the herpetologist that told me about it said his dog was badly bitten by a coral
snake and was going into convulsions/salivating like crazy basically about to die. He used the Coralmyn antivenin (an expired bottle at that) and was
able to save it! The point of my post was to inform of this product which is far superior to any other on the US market, AND its Mexican made!
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Bajagypsy
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Seems like a good idea, I have four kids (3 boys) and I don't want to take a bet that the might get bit, it's more like WHEN they get bit.
I can't read spanish!!! is there an english link? (I know I need to learn how to read/speak spanish, don't need a lecture).
[Edited on 4-11-2008 by Bajagypsy]
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oladulce
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Gypsy, go to the main page of the website and click on "idiomas" and you can select the english version. I still couldn't find specific info on the
anti-venin though, and have alot of questions before I'd feel comfortable with it.
We've been trying to find out for years which, if any, Baja hospitals carry current and sufficient supplies of anti-venin without any luck. This may
be great news Astrobaja , THANKS!
BigWooo has a co-worker that moonlights as an air rescue medic and occasionally works with Dr Sean Bush, the snakebite and anti-venin guru of Loma
Linda Uni hospital and the specialist on the TV show "Venom ER".
I'll try and get a message to Dr Bush and get his opinion of this anti-venin and find out if it will treat the rattler species found on the peninsula
and get his general opinion of the product, as well as any potential problems or risks associated with it.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oladulce
Gypsy, go to the main page of the website and click on "idiomas" and you can select the english version. I still couldn't find specific info on the
anti-venin though, and have alot of questions before I'd feel comfortable with it.
We've been trying to find out for years which, if any, Baja hospitals carry current and sufficient supplies of anti-venin without any luck. This may
be great news Astrobaja , THANKS!
BigWooo has a co-worker that moonlights as an air rescue medic and occasionally works with Dr Sean Bush, the snakebite and anti-venin guru of Loma
Linda Uni hospital and the specialist on the TV show "Venom ER".
I'll try and get a message to Dr Bush and get his opinion of this anti-venin and find out if it will treat the rattler species found on the peninsula
and get his general opinion of the product, as well as any potential problems or risks associated with it. |
GREAT---that would be very valuable information.
Diane
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Bajagypsy
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thanx oladulce, I agree, would like to do some research.
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bajadave1
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Diane?
Is the vaccine from "Red Rocks biologics"? I've tried to get the local Vet here in Los Barriles to obtain a supply, with no luck.
Dave
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadave1
Is the vaccine from "Red Rocks biologics"? I've tried to get the local Vet here in Los Barriles to obtain a supply, with no luck.
Dave |
Yes, I believe so and it is not cheap! Not sure exactly where our vet obtained it, but from what I have read, the place you mention does produce it.
At first they had a series of three shots and then need a booster every 6 to 12 months. Vet here in San Diego is $45.00 a shot, but only $28.00 in
Imperial Valley---
As our vet said, it is not a cure, just buys you more time. I guess it helps the body's immune system to produce antibodies to the venom while help
is sought.
We are really still very interested in hearing more about the after bit anti-venom as we are so far away from any VET care.
Good luck
Diane
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vandenberg
A stick with a rattle on the end when you're in snake country is all you need. They're more afraid of you than you should be of them. Rattlers are,
for starters, not deadly. Can make you very sick though. People have an unreasonable fear of snakes. Have encountered a few during camping and hunting
trips. If one coils on you and uses its rattles, just stay in place and the critter will slitter off as soon as it has figured out you're no threat.
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What this line of reasoning fails to show (excepting, of course, the very factual information about how reluctant they are to bite) is how many of the
persons that only got "very sick" received antivenom after their bites.
What if they hadn't received antivenom?
The remoteness and lack of services in much of Baja might be a good reason to carry some, with it's long shelf life.
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bajaguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Seems like a good idea, I have four kids (3 boys) and I don't want to take a bet that the might get bit, it's more like WHEN they get bit.
I can't read spanish!!! is there an english link? (I know I need to learn how to read/speak spanish, don't need a lecture).
[Edited on 4-11-2008 by Bajagypsy] |
try this:
http://www.bioclon.com.mx/ingles.html
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Sharksbaja
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| Quote: |
It seemed a longest drive in my short life.
We arrived at at small medical facility in Hollwood Riviera somewhere and the emergency staff proceedeed to cut away at me. My leg was immediately
packed in ice and then they made deep x shaped cuts up and down my right leg. I remember all these ugly red suction cups stuck all over my leg and
blood everywhere. I was really delerious and felt no pain. Then it was off to the South Bay Hospital in the Merc.with these things all over my leg.
Ah, the good ol days. One small -problem though. Not a whole lot of snakebite experts around LA back then. But there was one guy, Dr. Kiebler an
expert and author on the new anti-venom anti-toxin treatments. He was to leave for a holiday the next day. He stayed and administered the cure. Man,
you shoulda seen dem needles. To a child they appeared 2 feet long viewed as I went in and out of a stuper. They kept sticking me with shots until I
blacked out completely.
The first 12 hours are the critical hours and considering I had a full dose of a young snake and was not treated for at least an hour it was bad. My
toes looked more like plums than toes. Black and purple and swollen to the point where the skin looks to burst. The whole body swelled with adema and
toxin. My head the size of a basketball I was told later. My prognoses at best was not good. My foot and or toes was considered for amputation should
it gangrene. I would periodically, according to those around me, wake up and start having ludicrous conversations with imaginary thoughts.
My poor dad was the typical long hours type man who on that bad day decided to go play poker after work with the boys. He arrived at home at 3am to
find blazing lights and only my sister in bed. He took off for the hospital. Upon arriving he took one look at the swelled up kid with a black leg and
lost it. He was help to another room to recover. Now thats ugly! My condition stayed like that for many hours. Then , just as if to turn off the
faucet. My color started returning and the swelling receeded. I remember waking up a long time later . It was as if I had rigor mortice in my leg and
foot for days to come.. It was also very painful now that that toxins were waning. It was almost like a severe sprain for a couple weeks and improved
daily.I still bear small scars. I have not so far had long term probs but time will tell I suppose.
I always carry a snakebite kit in the desert outdoors. If you do not and you don,t do something you may die. Usually an adult will survive the strike
but it depends on many variables. This includes snake type and location, age and size, your health, and where you are bitten. A light tourney and a
sharp knife or razor and sucking it out are important for trying to minimize its effects. Then seek help immediately.Mainly, just keep yer dad burn
eyes open!.
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Yep, that serum sounds awesome!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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