A venomous snakebite can create a life-threatening situation. Often the proper management requires the use of a specific antidote.
Three thousand native and 50 exotic venomous snake bites get reported to U.S. Poison Centers each year. Snakes like cobras and black mambas don't live in the United States, but people bring them to this country anyway.
Jude McNally with Arizona's Poison Center said, "Here in Arizona, its generally illegal to have venomous snakes without special permission but unfortunately that doesn't prevent people from doing it."
Those working in zoos and aquariums are most vulnerable to snake bites.
To save lives, the College of Pharmacy created a web based tool. The Online Antivenom Index will allow zoos to maintain their stocks and contact information. It will also assist zoo and aquarium staff in selecting and importing appropriate antivenoms for treatment of bites and stings by animals in their care.
"This will put the antivenom is in the hands of the physicians when they have an emergency situation and because the Arizona Poison Center gets so many snakebite calls, many other hospitals around the country look to us for advice," McNally says.
Link