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Copperhead bite
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by Spritemom2girls on May 12, 2014
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I hope I am not posting this twice. I lost my first post.
My husband was bit by a baby copperhead (6-8" long) last night at 6:45. He spent 6 hours under observation at the ER. Two doctors disagreed on whether to admit him and administer antivenin, but in the end they sent him home, because the spread of the swelling had significantly decreased and he didn't want to stay.
In the night, the swelling did progress from the top of his bicep to include his shoulder. (He was bit on his right thumb). Other than being hot, tight, swollen and a little pink here and there, the color is good and from everything I am reading, this is just par for the course. Also, his pain is manageable with the hydrocodone and his own high tolerance for pain, if he doesn't move around. But we have several questions.
Should we be concerned that the swelling has reached his shoulder? Is that more dangerous than a foot bite as it is nearer the heart? The ER recommended a follow up today with a physician. My husband doesn't want to spend the money and doesn't want to go. Is it absolutely necessary?
Is there any reason to consider antivenin at this time? It has been about 19 hours since the bite. I'm not sure if I understand this right, but I was told that the venom peaks in 6-8 hours. So, I am guessing that at this point, whatever tissue damage may or may not have been caused is already done and there's no fixing it now?
He is supposed to stay on bedrest with his arm elevated above his heart, until the swelling goes down. I've read that the swelling can easily last 1 - 2 weeks. There's no way I can keep him down that long! I suppose his own discomfort will cause him to monitor his up and down time?
And from what I have read, I understand the average timeline to be this: Swelling and pain for 1-2 weeks, possibly reduced swelling and pain 1-2 months, and potentially muscle spasms and random pain or discomfort up to 2-6 months. (And with the understanding that there is not really an average snake bite!)
And please don't ask how he got a snake bite on his hand... Apparently, he finds baby copperheads "beautiful" and "friendly" looking. (He didn't know what it was at the time and he's now changed his mind!)
Any help or advice would be welcome.
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RE: Copperhead bite
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by BobH on May 12, 2014
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Every bite is unique but it sounds like you are doing the right things. I couldn't see the exact time you posted this but I would guess the worst is over. Anti-venom would probably not be helpful and extremely expensive unless his condition worsens. The bite site will probably open up and look nasty, just keep it clean and use antibiotic cream. Hope this helps.
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RE: Copperhead bite
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by LarryDFishel on May 16, 2014
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I am by no means a doctor and my opinion is no substitute for a doctor's visit...
Every copperhead fatality I've ever heard of, that I wasn't pretty sure was pure fiction (2-3 over 10 years or so) was from anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction). If that were going to happen, it would have been almost immediate. Not much to do at this point.
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RE: Copperhead bite
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by Phobos on May 21, 2014
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Copperheads have the highest morbidity rate of any of the US Crotalids (Pit Vipers) and the lowest mortality rate. Larry is correct, all the envenomation deaths I know of by this species was because of an allergy to the venom protein and not by the effects of the venom itself.
All that said, many of the "Snakebite" specialized MD's I know will at least administer a vial or two, in hopes to minimize the lasting effects of the bite. The chance of a bad reaction to CroFab is extremely small. It's very expensive, depending how much the hospital thinks they can get away with. "Time is tissue" at this point the damage has been done.
Al
viperkeeper.com
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RE: Copperhead bite
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by LarryDFishel on May 25, 2014
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Hay, Al. Sort of an aside, and out of my area of knowledge: Do you think the high morbidity rate is really because of some innate property of the venom, or is it more because so many people who are bitten by them decide to "tough it out" and not seek treatment?
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