rattle snake bite info and black widow and other spiders

The researcher stressed that, despite the unfounded perception of danger surrounding black widows due to their venomous bite, they are actually shy and non-aggressive spiders, thus denying the myths spread about their behavior.

"The venom of black widow spiders is neurotoxic, meaning it affects the central nervous system. Despite this, their shy and reserved behavior minimizes the risk of bites. In the event of a bite, it is recommended to immediately go to a doctor. doctor, instead of looking for home remedies or sharing photos on social networks, since every minute counts in a poisoning situation.

Bites from these spiders can cause localized pain, cramps and muscle stiffness, as well as a feeling of abdominal discomfort. The most serious cases, although rare, have been recorded mainly in children and older adults, whose immune system may be less efficient. Despite this, deaths from black widow bites are rare, as the venom acts mainly on the central nervous system.

"In Mexico, there is an effective treatment for the bites of these spiders, known as phage therapy, which has proven to be a safe and effective method to counteract the effects of the venom of black widow spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions."

PREVENTION AND COEXISTENCE WITH SPIDERS

facebook wrote:Clawdia Anjelica
+52 624 199 2668 Maria Fernanda is my cousin in Cabo she is a vet she speaks English. I am a vet in Los Angeles this guys need supportive care with I’ve fluis and antivenin for the most part and some
Time and pain medications. The area he got bit needs to be shaven to look for tissue necrosis as this may happen. The only thing you have available is Benadryl at 2mg/kg every 8 hours. There is a specialty veterinarian open 24 hours in Cabo. At least here in Los Angeles we are consider essential and we are open. So my hope is that they will be open too. Does anyone know the name of the hospital in Cabo?

facebook wrote:Whatever you use do not use aspirin or nsaid like ibuprofen. These are not dog or cat friendly. You will create other problems.

Doc David via facebook wrote:Dr. Salvador at the Medical Center (White Hosp.) told me they do have the anti-venom at his hospital. In the States there needs to be clinical evidence of evenomation prior to initiating treatment. Many rattlesnake bites are "dry" and anti-venom is not indicated.

victor added in facebook wrote:
The serpentarium of La Paz has a dose of anti-classic serum, the price of each bottle is $ 3, 700 pesos, if you need more information call 12 25611

Don't pick up this pretty shell unless your certain it is vacant. From Wikipedia;
C. textile is a carnivorous species, and uses a radula (a biological microscopic needle) to inject a conotoxin to kill its prey. C. textile eats snails.[8] The proboscis, the tip of which holds the harpoon-like radular tooth, is capable of being extended to any part of its own shell. The living animal is a risk to any person handling it who has not taken proper care to protect exposed skin. Several human deaths have been attributed to this species

How To Avoid Snakebites
Here are some steps you can take to avoid snakebites:

-Before venturing out into the wilderness, familiarize yourself with the snakes of your area, both venomous and non-venomous species.
-Learn which habitats the venomous species in your region are likely to be encountered in, and use caution when in those habitats.
-Always take a buddy into the field with you.
-Wear boots and loose-fitting pants if you are venturing into venomous snake territory.
-Try as much as possible not to take a snake by surprise. Stay on trails, and watch where you place your hands and feet, especially when climbing or stepping over fences, large rocks, and logs, or when collecting firewood.

How To Treat Snakebites
Despite what we often see in moves or television, venomous snakebites are rare—and if they do happen, they’re are rarely fatal to humans. Of the 8,000 snakebite victims in the United States each year, only about 10 to 15 die. However, for any snakebite the best course of action is to get medical care as soon as possible.

And unlike in movies—never try to suck the venom out of wound with your mouth. Nothing good will come of doing that. Instead, follow the steps below:

-Try to keep the snakebite victim still, as movement helps the venom spread through the body.
-Keep the injured body part motionless and just below heart level.
-Keep the victim warm, calm, and at rest, and transport him or her immediately to medical care. Do not allow him to eat or drink anything.
-If medical care is more than half an hour away, wrap a bandage a few inches above the bite, keeping it loose enough to enable blood flow (you should be able to fit a finger beneath it). Do not cut off blood flow with a tight tourniquet. Leave the bandage in place until reaching medical care.
- If you have a snakebite kit, wash the bite, and place the kit’s suction device over the bite. (Do not suck the poison out with your mouth.) Do not remove the suction device until you reach a medical facility.
- Try to identify the snake so the proper antivenin can be administered, but do not waste time or endanger yourself trying to capture or kill it.
-If you are alone and on foot, start walking slowly toward help, exerting the injured area as little as possible. If you run or if the bite has delivered a large amount of venom, you may collapse, but a snakebite seldom results in death.

Johnson said that while Jensen never saw the rattlesnake that bit him until it was too late, most victims see the snake first but make a wrong decision.

"They're not going to come after you," he said. "They're going to try to get away. They don't fly. They're not fast-moving. Just leaving it alone is the best thing."

Johnson said he has treated about 750 rattlesnake bites in 33 years, and he is the physician usually called to Palomar to treat bites. Johnson said about 80 percent of the victims were holding a rattlesnake when bitten.

"Don't play with snakes," he said. "They'll bite the hell out of you."

Johnson said people who are bit should call 911, elevate the wound and remove any tight-fitting clothing or jewelry because of possible swelling.

They should not ice the wound, cut it or place a tight tourniquet around it, which could lock the venom in one place and cause tissue damage.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/escondido/article_a81871cd-1bdf-5c06-b46a-16333883a285.html#ixzz1cU2cwvom

Treating snakebites can be expensive. Jensen was treated with 18 vials of antivenin at a cost of $5,000 each, and Johnson said the dose was not unusual. A severe bite can require 50 or 60 vials, he said.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/escondido/article_a81871cd-1bdf-5c06-b46a-16333883a285.html#ixzz1cU2y1FNb

Anavip, with a larger molecular structure, may persist longer in the bloodstream.

"We hope to demonstrate that it's safe and effective and a little bit longer-lasting in the body," said Jude McNally, medical liaison for Tennessee-based Rare Disease Therapeutics, which represents the drug in the United States and is conducting the tests.

Bush said Anavip will probably cost less than CroFab, which runs nearly $2,000 per vial.

Multiple vials of antivenom are usually needed for treatment.

McNally said he could not discuss pricing.

The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center is now participating in a phase III clinical trial for an investigational rattlesnake antivenom from Mexico called Anavip. The study will compare its effectiveness and safety against the currently FDA approved CroFab.

Data collected by the poison center will be part of a randomized multicenter study begun in 2008 to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the F(ab)2 antivenom Anavip. The Bioclon Institute, located in Mexico City, is the maker of the antivenom, now in use throughout Mexico, and a sponsor of the study taking place in the United States. Bioclon Institute is partnering with a U.S. company, Rare Disease Therapeutics.

Rattle Snake Bites - I have lived in Baja California for 39 years and I have only heard of three people being bitten by a rattle snake. All survived.
We have tried to get antivenom to keep at our ranch but have been told that the untrained application of antivenom can result in fatal overdose, that it needs to be applied by an experienced person who can determine the type of antivenom and the amount that needs to be applied. I was told to try to capture the snake and bring it along with the patient to the medical facility so that the health care worker can determine what type of rattlesnake it is and the amount of antivenom to be applied. Bites are not usually immediately fatal so the patient does have time to get to a hospital.
A few years ago someone in Todos Santos was bitten and went to La Paz but could not find antivenom. He then drove to Cabo to Amerimed and found the care he needed. It is my understanding that they have a supply of antivenom on hand. Before you go call to make sure and let them know you are on your way so they can be prepared.
Below are some suggestions of what to do if you are bitten.
When a bite occurs, the amount of venom injected cannot be gauged easily. Symptoms and swelling may occur quickly, and may cause death easily but in some cases hours may pass before serious effects appear.
Experienced health workers typically gauge envenomation in stages ranging from 0, when there is no evident venom, to 5, when there is a life-threatening amount of venom present. The stages reflect the amount of bruising and swelling around the fang marks and the speed with which that bruising and swelling progresses. In more severe envenomation cases (stage 4 or 5) there may also be proximal symptoms, such as lip-tingling, dizziness, bleeding, vomiting, or shock. Difficulty breathing, paralysis, drooling, and massive hemorrhaging are also common symptoms.
Quick medical attention is critical, and treatment typically requires antivenin/antivenom to block the tissue destruction, nerve effects, and blood-clotting disorders common with rattlesnake venom. Most medical experts recommend keeping the area of the bite below the level of the heart. It is important to keep a snake bite victim calm in order to avoid elevating their heart rate and accelerating the circulation of venom within the body. Untrained individuals should not attempt to make incisions at or around bite sites, or to use tourniquets, as either treatment may be more destructive than the envenomation itself.
At our ranch we keep peacocks, roadrunners and chickens to keep snakes away from living areas. Peacocks are especially effective. - Elena , e@elenamoreno.com, 61