devenomized

hhmoore,

I fully understand your opinion on venomoids and I agree that we'll disagree on multiple issues, but perhaps there might be a few that we find ourselves having a common understanding. The video posted on YouTube has incredible value for people like the person who posted above, Gary, and including myself. I think the video is a great educational tool for those against cruelty to animals, those who do not think venomoids are safe in general, those people who want to learn more about venomoids, and finally people who have venomoids or like venomoids. I think the video is something that we all agree serves a good purpose for multiple reasons, but the bottom line is that the video shows how unsafe the illegal practice of trying to surgically alter an animal really is.

A couple last points I would like to make in reference to your reply is that I will continue to handle small venomoids and perhaps our leucistic monocled cobra at hamburg show behind the table and aways from the reach of children or people. I will probably allow people to touch the snake's tail and as I hold any venomoid, I will clearly state why we are at the show, what the snake is, and why i'm able to hold it. If at any given time, the people running the show would like me or anyone holding a venomoid behind their tables like other people hold reptiles, to stop doing it, I will comply with the request. As far as holding a large gaboon, rattlesnake, or other large venomoid whose bite could inflict a painfull bite for myself, I would not do that. We have a beutiful pair of adult gabinos that have never tried to strike, but I wouldn't hold them because I don't want to get bitten by one of them not because they are going to inject venom.

Finally, the example of a venomoid cobra with documentation that injected venom, could you please provide some links to that incident with facts. I WILL include them with the video I plan to add on my website. Your point about the paperwork stating whatever is said and the fact the animal that obviously was not a venomoid, it's a horrible tragedy, a terrible mistake, and the business behind the sale of that animal should be liable in my opinion.

Let's remember that a venomoid is a venomous snake rendered non-venomous by a full adenectomy and a full ductectomy. A full adenectomy is NOT subject to reparative regrowth on any venomous snake; therefore, even though elapids could potentially regenerate venom duct tissue, if the full adenectomy was done, these specimens cannot produce and/or inject venom.

With that said, any venomous snake sold as a venomoid that is able to inject venom is not a venomoid, but rather a veterianrian malpractice at an attempt to do a full adenectomy that resulted in a venomous snake injecting and/or producing venom.

In conclusion, venomoids are snakes where NO mistake happens; however, if you read about my "risk management" post, every business as well as buyer holds a level of accountability and it is only my subjective opinion that buyers should mititigate any risk associated with a purchase of a venomoid from any licensed DVM and follow up some basic procedures to ensure their venomoids are checked only as a normal precaution.

I have checked venomoids produced by Venomoid, Inc by trying to milk them, study the attack behavior on live rats on multiple occassions, as well as sharing high quality photographs with other individuals who wanted to look at shots taken of a venomoids mouth.

I hope this gives you a little more information on my own subjective opinion and I know you are not going to agree with me or anything like that, but I hope I'm making myself more clear. If I have failed, all I can do is apologize for not being clear enough and you'll need to accept. If someone cannot accept, I suggest they read the serenity prayer for some guidance. (not religious of course)