Contrary to popular belief, the bite of a baby rattlesnake is almost always far less serious than the bite of a larger adult rattlesnake. The notion that baby rattlesnakes cannot control the quantity of venom injected (referred to in the field of Herpetology as “venom metering”) is a myth that has been disproven multiple times through well-designed studies.

Snakes were not always associated with fear and loathing. There has been a long association between the serpent and the healing arts. If you look closely, you can find snakes adorning all sorts of medical symbols around the world from the Star of Life that adorns modern ambulances to the emblem of the World Health Organization and US Army Medical Corps. In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Asclepius was the god of medicine and of the healing arts and carried around a staff wrapped by a serpent.

As snakebite experts, we are frequently asked about first aid for snakebite patients. One of the most common questions is “Do venom extractors and other commercial snakebite kits actually help?” The short answer is no. In fact, most of the advice about snakebite first aid that has circulated over the past 500 years or so (and probably much longer) is bad information. Things like pocket knives, suction devices, tourniquets, gunpowder, vitamin C, freezing, burning, and even electrocution have been advocated for snakebite first aid over the years; the only thing all of these “treatments” have in common is a high likelihood of making the situation worse.

Many people ask about the antivenoms that are used for envenomations in dogs and cats, so here is your immunology lesson for the week.

Snakebites are a global health crisis, affecting millions of people every year. Venomous snakes can deliver a lethal dose of venom with a single bite, making immediate treatment a matter of life or death. Thankfully, immunology pioneers in the 1890’s were the first to develop snake antivenom…and we still use the same process today!

Venomous snakes, particularly vipers, have long captured the imagination of humanity. From ancient myths to modern scientific study, these creatures have intrigued and sometimes terrified us. Central to their fearsome reputation is their venom – a complex cocktail of bioactive molecules designed for subduing prey and defending against threats. Here, we delve into the fascinating world of venom components in vipers, exploring their diversity, functions, and potential applications.

Snakebite is a global health concern, and antivenoms are crucial in mitigating their impact. In this post, we'll unravel the complexities of snakebite antivenoms, breaking down key terms like monovalent, polyvalent, specific, paraspecific, and lyophilized to provide a clearer understanding.

Historically, the responsibility of stocking antivenom for exotic snake bites has fallen on the shoulders of local zoos. When a keeper is bitten, the zoo would generously donate antivenom to the patient. However, this approach not only strains the zoos, requiring time to replace antivenom and putting keepers at risk, but it also poses a danger to the patient due to the time-consuming logistics of organizing and executing antivenom transportation. In cases of envenomation, every minute is crucial.