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Copperhead question

J

jason77

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There is no antivenom for copperheads right???
What do they give for a bite....if anything
I dont have one now but have been considering it.


Thanks Jason
 
OK OK, I'll stop being a wiseass...

If necessary, rattlesnake antivenin is used. However, since most copperhead bites are not very potent, many people choose to not risk the injection of antivenin and stick with just cleaning, disinfecting, and waiting.

This is from the web:
Surgical Associates of Richmond, VA 23235, USA.

Polyvalent antivenin remains the most recommended treatment of crotalid envenomation, including copperhead snakebites. Because of the significant morbidity associated with antivenin therapy, some have proposed conservative therapy for less serious envenomations. Few if any studies have separated the treatment of the less serious copperhead bite from the more serious bite of a rattlesnake or a water moccasin. Fifty-five patients, including 12 children, with copperhead bites were treated over a 12-year period. All 55 patients were successfully treated conservatively without antivenin. Conservative treatment resulted in no deaths, limb loss, or residual disability. The mean hospital stay was 2.15 days compared with 3.9 days in patients with systemic symptoms. These data support a conservative approach to most copperhead envenomations and suggest that the treatment for copperhead bites should be segregated from the more serious rattlesnake and water moccasin snakebites.
Click to expand...
 
While antivenin is usually not necessary with contortrix bites they are still a medical emergency and you should always get to the hospital ASAP. Many contortrix bites only cause localized pain and swelling but others can cause systemic symptoms or even anaphylaxis.

When Ms. Terese mentioned that most bites only require cleaning, disinfecting and waiting I didn't want you to interpret her statement to mean that these things should be done at home or that you should wait to seek medical treatment. (I believe she meant that this would be the hospital's course of treatment in most cases.)

Copperheads are awesome animals and make a good first hot for the responsible keeper who already has experience with non venomous snakes.
Just treat them with the same respect that you would treat the most deadly venomous snake and you'll avoid the complacency that causes most bites.
Good luck,
 
Chris, you are absolutely correct! I did not communicate that very well!

Always, ALWAYS seek medical treatment for any envenomation!
 
I'll have to check with this person I know who got bitten by a Southern copperhead not too long ago. I do know he said he went to the hospital and was given antivenom treatment. What kind of treatment I will inquire about when I see him next.

The best bit (pun intended) of advice I can give you is, don't get bitten. Which means use your head at all times when dealing with hots. I'd suggest getting a good pair of tongs and make sure the enclosure you are planning to use for it is lockable.
 
I do know he said he went to the hospital and was given antivenom treatment.
Click to expand...

Probably Crofab.....It's usually not necessary but a bad bite from a big ol' southern may be enough to warrant it in some cases.

This may be a helpful link Jason...
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic539.htm

Here's a pretty southern I saw in NW FL in June.
<img src=http://gila.fieldherpers.com/Photos/trip14.jpg>
 
My dad was given 20 viles of some antivenom when he was in the hospital for a broadband copperhead bite...not sure what kind but he nearly lost his thumb. Just because coppers are considered "mild" doesn't make them any less dangerous by any means.
 
KingBowser said:
My dad was given 20 viles of some antivenom when he was in the hospital for a broadband copperhead bite...not sure what kind but he nearly lost his thumb. Just because coppers are considered "mild" doesn't make them any less dangerous by any means.
Click to expand...

Broadbanded/Trans-Pecos are more toxic than Northern and Southern copperheads.
 
jason77 said:
There is no antivenom for copperheads right???
What do they give for a bite....if anything
I dont have one now but have been considering it.


Thanks Jason
Click to expand...

do you have a permit? copperheads are on the prohibited species list http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OARs/56.pdf its on page 8. if you need help getting your permit send me a pm and ill try to help you get pointed in the right direction.
 
Jason made that post nearly 5 years ago...not really sure why people keep dragging this up
 
I absolutely love my copperhead, very gorgeous snakes in a setup. As far getting bit, I wouldn't know as it hasn't happened and I take quite a bit precaution with my hots. I've got some footage of him striking at my camera. They're quick lil buggers thats for sure. Best advice is treat Any hot snake with caution and know your protocols per species. Utilize your hooks and tongs and be sure when transferring to tubs that your lids are secure and out of reach of animals and people. Personally I'd suggest something a little more sluggish like a great basin rattlesnake for your first. Easy to work with as far as they're less squirrely than copperheads in my opinion. Also significantly calmer demeanor but like all hots, handle with care. Best of luck.
 
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