Sounds a touch on the dramatic side to me. While venomous bites should be taken seriously and be taken to medical professionals, antivenom is usually not administered for normal Agkistrodon contortrix bites, given the low toxicity of the venom. Barring multiple other bites (more venom than a single snake can administer), or complications from other health conditions present in the subject, there is usually more of a threat of suffering an anaphylactic response to the antivenom, which is why antivenom is usually not administered in these cases.
From the second article, the individual bitten feared the loss of her leg, given the residual effects from the bite on the leg, rather than the doctors making that prognosis.
|