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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by AquaHerp on August 13, 2011
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It all depends. Most AZA zoos do keep fresh stock in place. I just got in some European viper AV last week, even before my other stock expires. However, I do not dispose of it. It stays under a waiver on our permit that allows us to keep this for research purposes. In that, the permit to import and hold antivenom dictates that you dispose (incinerate)after expiration unless otherwise stated on the permit.
AV is indeed stable well beyond the expiration date. Administering this would be dependent upon the attending physician. Our contact , Dr. Steven Seifert, will indeed use in an emergency.
To answer it quickly...perhaps 750+ vials of various types are discarded around the country annually and the demand of the FDA. We are nowadays holding onto it longer as we do more studies.
DH
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by venomMD on August 14, 2011
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At the end of the day, it's up to the treating physician, to do the right thing...It's actually very simple, for those of us that treat snakebites on regular basis...#1 local vs exotic bite #2 source of AV (expired or not) #3 Call poison control, they will help acquire correct/best AV available...if non-available, use expired (attempt was made )
Always remember ABCs, support the airway, intubate early; for species known to be neurotoxic!!! This is main reason most die...Feel free to ask...
Great herping to all...
venom911.com
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by agkistrodude on August 15, 2011
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June, (Questionaire) since you have a background in veterinary medicine, maybe you can answer this question. I have read many times that "expired" anti venom often ends up in the hands of veterinarians for use on snake bitten family pets. Just wondering if this was true or not. Seems like a good idea, rather than throwing it out. Take care, Marty
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by Rob_Carmichael on August 15, 2011
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At our zoo we keep all of our expired A/V and I wouldn't have any problems using it as I know it stays effective for quite a while. I'm sure Kirsten or Jim could offer some thoughts on this too.
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by questionaire on August 15, 2011
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Marty, that is an excellent idea. I don't know the answer to your question. However, I'm anxious to check into it and find out.
Our clinic was close to the school of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University. We worked with them a lot. Our snake bites were transferred to them.
I'm in a very small town. The Vet practicing here now has his lab work and etc done through the local hospital. I will talk to him today and see if he gets his anti-venom from the hospital and if it is expired.
We also used many meds past expiration except for vaccines, antibiotics and etc.
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by Cro on August 16, 2011
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When I was working at the Atlanta Zoo, we would keep many of the expired antivenom, especially those for mamba and king cobra, which often require many, many vials in the treatment of a bite.
We would also keep the expired ones that were particularly difficult to replace.
Not sure if the Atlanta Zoo is still doing that, but, in general,it is probably a very good idea. Antivenom does not take up very much room, and the expired stocks can easily be kept in a separate plastic container in the refrigerator.
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by JHarrison on August 16, 2011
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Yes, of course AV is good well past its expiry date, the problem with zoos keeping it is liability. If they used expired AV on a bitten keeper, and something went wrong, well, can you smell a lawsuit? Even if whatever occurred was not due to the AV, and even if there was a waiver, the family can still sue.
FDA does require destruction of expired product if you don't have an exemption.
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by AquaHerp on August 16, 2011
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Jim hit it on the head. In our situation fresh antivenom is simply the cost of doing business.
As for veterinary stock, it may be a donation from the hospitals but that is going to be local AV only.
DH
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RE: Anti-Venom question
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by questionaire on August 20, 2011
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Marty, sorry to be long replying. After talking with the first vet, I wanted to check with some of the other vets in the smaller towns around here.
The answers were basically the same. They don't use antivenin. The reasons vary. But lack of money or lack or willingness of owners to spend that much on a pet is the major factor. The treatment most often is fluids, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
I hope I have given one or two vets the idea to at least try to get expired anti-venom at local hospitals.
June
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