Category Archives: Medical Tidbits

Spitting Snakes

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Spitting Snakes
Three species of snake can spit or eject the venom in a fine spray, which is aimed at the eyes of an enemy and projected for distances up to 2.4 m (8 ft). If the venom gets into the eyes, it may cause blindness. The spitting is used only in defense and never to obtain food.Some cobras can spray their venom for a distance of up to 2.5 meters . This action is called spitting , but it does not evolve puckering the lips and blowing the venom outward . Spitting is a defensive behaviour that has nothing to do with killing prey. Spitting cobras bite and envenomate their prey just as do other venomous snakes.Two of the spitting-cobra groups are African: –

One group is the African ringhal cobra (Hemachatus haemachatus) , and the second includes the black-necked cobra (Naja nigricollis), the Mozambique spitting cobra (N . mossambica) , the Mozambique red spitting cobra (N . pallida) , and the west African spitting cobra (N . katiensis).

The third group is from eastern Asia and includes the golden spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana) of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, the Indonesian spitting cobra (N . sputatrix) of southern Indonesia, the common spiting cobra (N . philippinensis) and Samar spitting cobra (N . samarensis) of the Philippines, the Chinese and Indochinese populations of the Asian black cobra (N . atra), and some populations of the widespread Asian monocled cobra (N . kaouthia). These snakes live in areas inhabited by large herbivores that might trample them or large carnivores that might eat them, and thus use their venom defensively.

At close quarters, the spitting cobras have very accurate aim. If the neurotoxic venom reaches the eyes, it is quickly absorbed by the capillaries of the conjunctiva. The venom may cause temporary blindness by irritating the cornea, extensive damage of the cornea can lead to permanent blindness . The venom should be rinsed out of the eye as soon as possible.

 
Snake Structure
Spitting Snakes
Snakes – Some Facts
How to keep snakes out of my yard?
Protection from Snakes
Snake Bite ~ Management
Poisonous Snakes
Dangerous Snakes in the World
Deadliest Snakes in the World

Snakes – Some Facts

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Snakes – Some Facts
Here are some facts on Snakes:

  • The largest snakes in the world are members of the family Boidae, which includes the boa and the python. Some members of this family never attain a length of more than 0.6 m (2 ft), but the largest may grow to more than 9 m (30 ft).
  • Sea snakes have no gills and must rise to the surface for air, but they can remain underwater for several hours, obtaining dissolved oxygen from water that they swallow and eject.
  • Approximately 2500 different species of snakes are known. Approximately 20 % of the total number of the snake species are poisonous.
  • The skin and outer covering of the horny scales are shed periodically and usually in one piece, including the hard, transparent covering of the eye known as the spectacle (snakes lack movable eyelids, and the spectacle protects the constantly open eyes). The frequency of shedding varies with different species , according to the size and age of the individual. Young, rapidly growing snakes shed their skins more frequently than the slow-growing adults. In some species the skin is shed about every 20 days; in others, only once a year.
  • The big pythons can eat animals that weigh up to about 68 kg (150 lb), but swallowing such a meal is a difficult process.
  • The snake must bite to inject its venom; no snake has a stinger in its tail.
  • Three species of snake can spit or eject the venom in a fine spray, which is aimed at the eyes of an enemy and projected for distances up to 2.4 m (8 ft). If the venom gets into the eyes, it may cause blindness. The spitting is used only in defense and never to obtain food.
  • Vision is well developed in most snakes, but many burrowing snakes are virtually blind.
  • Snakes have a strong sense of smell, which is relied on to a large extent in hunting food. Snakes find their prey by sight and scent, and sometimes temperature. Except for burrowing species, snakes have excellent short-range vision. Their sense of smell is extraordinary, thanks to a harmless, constantly flicking forked tongue that carries scent particles to a specialized sensory organ (‘Jacobson’s organ’) on the roof of the mouth.
  • Snakes are deaf to airborne sounds. The Cobra does not hear, as it is believed, the snake-charmer’s flute. They can, however, feel vibrations through the ground or whatever they are resting on.
  • Snakes move slower than an adult human can run; the fastest recorded speed achieved by any snake is about 13 km/hr (8 mph), but few can go that fast.
  • Depending on the species, snakes may be egg-layers or give birth to live young. They generally mate in the spring, shortly after leaving whatever hollow, burrow or rock crevice has sheltered them through winter hibernation. Egg-layers usually deposit groups of eggs in dirt, beneath stones or logs, or in piles of decaying wood or vegetation during late spring or early summer. Most snakes hatch or are born in late summer. Whether deposited as eggs or dropped as fully formed miniature adults, snakes are on their own from the start. Snakes do not take any responsibility for the care and protection of their young. Most snakes mature at one or two years of age, and individuals may live up to twenty years in the wild.
  • The greatest age known for any snake is just under 30 years, attained by both the anaconda and the black-lipped cobra.
  • Effects of the bites of Black and Green Mamba –
    Black and green mambas both produce neurotoxins, which is why they kill so fast. Black mamba is more venomous. Neurotoxin inhibitors and antivenin are generally made from the venom of the same snake, but it is likely that antivenin from one would be at least partially effective against the other. Because these are two different snakes  their venom has to be different and thus the antivenin from one may not act for the other.
  • Snakes do not leap or jump into the air. Instead, those that do strike out coil themselves enough to get a push or strong outward movement designed to snatch prey or inject venom. Most snakes can only strike about one half their total body length. They do not actually leave the ground. They are capable of striking upward or outward at approximate one half length level.
 
Snake Structure
Spitting Snakes
Snakes – Some Facts
How to keep snakes out of my yard?
Protection from Snakes
Snake Bite ~ Management
Poisonous Snakes
Dangerous Snakes in the World
Deadliest Snakes in the World

How to keep snakes out of my yard?

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How to keep snakes out of my yard?
Every animal needs a particular environment best suited to its living conditions. Some environment conditions close to human dwellings are also liked by snakes and other pests. Many a times our love of nature has created environments they need. Small ponds, gardens and bird feeders are typical manmade environments which provide shelter, water and food to snakes.
Snakes exist in big part of this earth. If left alone, they prefer not to conflict with man. But we continue to invade their domain. This displacement leads to confrontation. Snakes are drawn to our yards, homes and buildings because we unintentionally create environments they like. Most snakes encountered are non-poisonous. People tend to believe any snake they see is venomous when in fact the opposite is probably true.The most common snakes eat small rodents such as rats or mice. So, definitely snakes would like to dwell in such places where they have abundant food available. You may find snake nests where there is such food. This may be in a crawl space, an attic or around water. Bird feeders attract rodents which will definitely attract snakes. If these rodents have invaded your attic, the snakes will soon follow. Closely inspect all creeks around your property. These are likely feeding areas for a variety of water snakes living on frogs and small fish. These frogs are food for many types of snakes. If you have frogs around your pool then snakes will come to take advantage of this food supply.Thus implementing a good rodent control program will cause any snakes to relocate to other place.
If there is some type of wood pile, rock pile or general debris which is serving as a nest, remove it.
If there are too many snakes or if conditions are such that you expect to have some coming in from time to time, you may have to set up some type of snake control program. There is no spray for snakes. There is a repellent, however, called Snake Away which is suppose to keep snakes away from designated areas. This material is simply sprinkled onto grass and acts as a fumigant. The odour repels snakes and may last for several months. It is safe around children and pets and is ideal for creating a barrier between suspected snake nests and play areas in the yard. There are also Snake Traps available if you need to trap them.Dogs and cats are naturally well suited to dealing with snakes. The mere presence of a dog or cat in the yard, and their associated odors, will often discourage a snake from venturing into your pet’s “territory” Snakes see the household pet as a predator and will prefer to avoid them if possible.

Chemicals such as garden variety powdered sulfur also can be used as snake repellent. Also, any noxious smelling substance like naphthalene mothballs will discourage any ground crawling animals, including snakes, from the treated area.

Dr. T’s Snake-A-Way

 
Snake Structure
Spitting Snakes
Snakes – Some Facts
How to keep snakes out of my yard?
Protection from Snakes
Snake Bite ~ Management
Poisonous Snakes
Dangerous Snakes in the World
Deadliest Snakes in the World

Protection from Snakes

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Protection from Snakes
People who frequent wild areas, as well as those who camp, hike, or live in snake-inhabited areas, should be aware of potential dangers posed by venomous snakes. A bite from one of these, in which the snake may inject varying degrees of toxic venom, should always be considered a medical emergency.
Few basic first-aid techniques according to the American Red Cross are:

  • Wash the bite with soap and water.
  • Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.
  • Get medical help.
  • If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, may help slow venom. The bandage should not cut off blood flow from a vein or artery. A good rule of thumb is to make the band loose enough that a finger can slip under it.
    A suction device may be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. Suction instruments often are included in commercial snakebite kits.
Avoiding Snakebites
Some bites, such as those inflicted when snakes are accidentally stepped on or encountered in wilderness settings, are nearly impossible to prevent. Few precautions can lower the risk of being bitten:

  • Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get a closer look at it.
  • Stay out of tall grass unless you wear thick leather boots.
  • Keep hands and feet out of areas you can’t see. Don’t pick up rocks or firewood unless you are out of a snake’s striking distance. (A snake can strike half its length)
  • Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks.
  • What do you do if you encounter a snake when hiking or picnicking? — Just walk around the snake, giving it a little berth–six feet is plenty. But leave it alone and don’t try to catch it.
Safety Precautions With SnakesFollowing floods, snakes are often forced into places where they are not usually found. If you live in an area where snakes inhabit, take the following precautions:

  • Learn how to identify poisonous snakes common to your area.
  • Be alert for snakes in unusual places. They may be found in or around homes, barns, outbuildings, driftwood, leaves, dikes, dams, stalled automobiles, piles of debris, building materials, trash or any type of rubble or shelter.
  • Before beginning any clean-up or rescue operations, search the premises thoroughly for snakes. They may be under or near any type of protective cover.
  • In rescue or clean-up operations, wear heavy leather or rubber high-topped boots and heavy gloves. Wear trouser legs outside boots. Be extremely careful around debris. Use rakes, pry bars or other long-handed tools when removing debris. Never expose your hands, feet or other parts of your body in a place were a snake might be hiding.
  • Do not allow children to play around debris.
  • Nonpoisonous snakes can be captured by pinning the snake down with a longer stick or pole, preferably forked at one end, and then removed by scooping up with a snow shovel or flat-blade shovel.
  • As a last resort, you may need to kill a poisonous snake. Club it with a long stick, rod or other tool. Never attempt to kill a poisonous snake with an instrument that brings you within the snake’s striking range.
  • If you realize you are near a snake, avoid sudden movement. Sudden movement may cause the snake to strike. If you remain still the snake may leave. If the snake does not move away from you after a few minutes, slowly back away from it.
  • Most snakes are not harmful or poisonous. Most snakes can be coaxed to leave the area, or will leave on their own.

 

 
Snake Structure
Spitting Snakes
Snakes – Some Facts
How to keep snakes out of my yard?
Protection from Snakes
Snake Bite ~ Management
Poisonous Snakes
Dangerous Snakes in the World
Deadliest Snakes in the World

Snake Bite ~ Management

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Management of Snake Bite

 Allay anxiety and fright

Deaths have been reported from shock due to fright even when the bites were by non-poisonous snakes. Hence, it is vital to reassure patients.

  • Not all snakes are poisonous.
  • Not all poisonous snakes are fully charged with venom.
  • Even those that are fully charged do not always inject a lethal dose.

Reassurance helps reduce anxiety related high. blood pressure, palpitations, tremors, sweating and rapid breathing.

Check if the bite is due to a poisonous or a non-poisonous snake. because people who are bitten can’t always positively identify a snake, they should seek prompt care for any bite, though they may think the snake is nonpoisonous. Even a bite from a so-called “harmless” snake can cause an infection or allergic reaction in some individuals.

In cases where the snake is killed and brought to the clinic, examination of the snake helps differentiate whether it is poisonous or non-poisonous. In the absence of the snake, the bite mark should be examined using a magnifying lens.

  • If possible, try and keep bitten extremity at body level, when the person is lying. Raising it can cause venom to travel into the body. Holding it down, can increase swelling.
  • Go to nearest hospital or medical facility as soon as possible
  • If possible try to identify the snake and if possible kill and take the snake along to the hospital.


What to do Immediately


According to the American Red Cross, these steps should be taken:
  • Wash the bite with soap and water.
  • Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the level of heart.
  • Get medical help. 



WHAT NOT TO DO
  • No ice or any other type of cooling on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.
  • No tourniquets. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
  • No electric shock. This method is under study and has yet to be proven effective. It could harm the victim.
  • No incisions in the wound. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury. 

Under Medical Supervision

In the management of the snake bite an estimate of the severity of envenomation should be made as soon as possible, before any antivenin is administered, since, for example, in approximately 20% of rattlesnake bites, venom may not be injected.

The preferred route of administration is by intravenous infusion. However, many antivenin polyvalent may be administered intramuscularly. If the intramuscular route is used, the antivenin should be administered into a large muscle mass, preferably into the gluteal area, with care to avoid nerve trunks. It should be kept in mind that maximum blood concentrations may not be attained for 8 or more hours after intramuscular administration.

Reconstituted antivenin polyvalent may be administered intravenously in a 1:1 to 1:10 dilution in 0.9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection. Decisions concerning the dilution of antivenin to be used, and the rate of intravenous delivery of the diluted antivenin should take into account the age, weight, and cardiac status of the patient; the severity of the envenomation; and the interval between the bite and the initiation of specific therapy.

The entire initial dose of antivenin should be administered as soon as possible, preferably within 4 hours after the bite. Antivenin is less effective when given 8 hours or more after envenomation and may be of questionable value when given after 12 hours. However, in severe poisonings, it is recommended that antivenin therapy be given even if 24 hours have elapsed since the bite.

The initial 5 to 10 ml of the diluted antivenin should be infused over a 3 to 5 minute period, with careful observation of the patient for evidence of an untoward reaction If no symptoms or signs of an immediate systemic reaction appear, infusion of the diluted antivenin may be continued at the maximum rate considered safe for intravenous fluid administration.

The decision to use additional antivenin should be based on the clinical response to the initial dose and on continuing assessment of the severity of poisoning. If swelling continues to progress, if systemic symptoms or signs of envenomation increase in severity, or if new manifestations appear (for example, fall in hematocrit or hypotension), intravenous administration of an additional 10 to 50 ml (contents of 1 to 5 vials) or more may be necessary.

Pit viper bites on toes or fingers may require as much as 50% more antivenin due to difficulties in achieving adequate antivenin concentrations in the affected area.

Administration of anti-venom:

Polyvalent anti-snake venom contains antibodies against cobra, common krait and viper.
5 vials are given if signs are mild -primarily local manifestations.
10 vials if signs are moderate -bleeding from gums, ptosis.
15 vials if signs are severe -vascular collapse, progressive paralysis.

1/3 of the dose should be given subcutaneously (near bite but not in fingers or toes).
1/3 intramuscularly.
1/3 intravenously.

The intravenous dose can be repeated every 6 hours till the symptoms disappear. For sea-snake bites, special antivenins are available.

Manage toxic signs/symptoms:

Anti-venom acts only against circulating toxin, not toxin fixed to tissue. Therefore, specific measures have to be taken.
In case of neuro toxic signs and symptoms, atropine (0.6 mg) subcutaneously should be followed by 5 injections of neostigmine (0.5 mg) intravenously (repeated 2 hourly depending on response) to reverse muscle paralysis.
In case of vasculotoxic signs and symptoms, fibrinogen along with heparin may be given, but with extreme caution and constant monitoring, as heparin can intensify bleeding.

Take supportive measures:

These include blood or plasma transfusion to combat shock,
mechanical respiration to combat respiratory distress,
antibiotics to prevent secondary infection. Neuromuscular paralysis is the most dreadful complication of snake bite. It may occur within 15 minutes but may be delayed for several hours.
To tackle hypersensitivity reactions to antivenom, steroids, adrenaline and antihistamines may be given.

 

Snake Structure
Spitting Snakes
Snakes – Some Facts
How to keep snakes out of my yard?
Protection from Snakes
Snake Bite ~ Management
Poisonous Snakes
Dangerous Snakes in the World
Deadliest Snakes in the World