VenomousReptiles.org Survey

Survey Question	Current Survey Question Should hobbyists ever free handle venomous reptiles with their hands? Recent Surveys Most venomous/toxic Naja species in the world? I have read that the Philippine cobra is the most venomous (mice, 0.2 mg/kg SC with the lowest reported value being 0.14 mg/kg SC) (Brown, 1973). I have recently, come across something in the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (Vol. 30, (issue 12), pages: 1158-1162, 1992) which stated that the LD50 for Naja oxiana was the most toxic/venomous (mice, 0.18 mg/kg SC and lowest reported value was 0.10 mg/kg). Along with that, the mortality rate for untreated Naja oxiana bites are the highest among all Naja species (70-80%). N.oxiana also produced the lowest known lethal dose (LCLo) of 0.005 mg/kg, the lowest among all cobra species ever recorded, derived from an individual case of poisoning by intracerebroventricular injection. Following N. oxiana and N. philippinensis are N. melanoleuca at 0.225 mg/kg SC and then N. samarensis at 0.23 mg/kg. The water cobras (N. annulata and N. christyi also have very toxic venoms, but no SC values are listed. Only intraperitoneal (IP) values of 0.143 mg/kg for N. annulata and 0.12 mg/kg for N. christyi. IP values tend to be generally lower (more toxic than subcutaneous values, so it would be unfair to compare their IP results to the subcutaneous (SC) results of other Naja species. Then I have heard that (without solid evidence) that Naja nivea is the most venomous, although their murine SC LD50 range anywhere from 0.4 mg/kg (Toxicon, Vol. 5, issue 1, page 47, 1967) to 0.72 mg/kg (Australian venoms and toxins Databse). So which is the most venomous? To me it seems obvious that it is the Caspian or Oxus cobra (Naja oxiana), followed by the Philippine cobra (Naja philippinensis). What do you think or know? I've noticed that the Australian venom and toxin Database seems to have higher LD50 values for all snakes across the board. For example, for the black mamba IP value of 0.01 mg/kg is listed (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004101018890219X) and Ernst and Zug et al 1996, list a SC value of 0.05 mg/kg for the black mamba. While the Australian venom and toxin Database listed much less toxic LD50's. So there seems to be a lot of variation. 2014-01-23 What's Your Favorite Venomous Snake? 2013-11-13 Deadliest Bite? 2013-09-16 IF the science of self-immunization for a snake envenomation was proven/perfected what is the least benefit(percentage) you would accept before practicing it on yourself? 2013-06-06 how did you learn to keep venomous reptiles? 2013-03-02 View All Survey Questions Have a good idea for a VenomousReptiles.org Survey question? Enter your idea!
Thanks for voting! Your vote has been included in the results below. Would you apply a Sawyer Extractor after a venomous snake or gila bite?   Posted: Sep 14, 2000   (95 votes, 7 comments) by NUMBER18
Survey Results
Yes 73% (69) No 17% (16) Unsure 11% (10)
Survey Comments
Posted by walkmaster on September 21, 2001 NO medical proof that anything other than antivenin works! I would recomend that people treating a snake bite do what ever was necessary to calm the patient. I don't believe that the extractor works and so I dont own one. Nothing is going to kill me before I get to the hospital unless I go into anafelectic shock, in which case the extractor would be meaningless. If I were treating someone else, I could use any of the other non-injurious pseudo first-aid steps to calm the patient. The best that can occur is some degree of reduced local tissue damage, but even that seems unlikely. If you still believe that the extractor might work, try sucking orange juice from a sponge and see how much you get out. Human tissue retains dense fluids better than the sponge. Posted by scottquint on August 29, 2001 Extractor Use I would use one on a snake bite but probably not a lizard bite for the reasons stated by Gaylon. On a snake bite, it makes sense that any venom removed is not causing any damage on the inside and that sounds like a good thing to me. Karl Posted by Buzztail1 on September 10, 2000 EXTRACTOR In general terms, I think the answer is yes even though its efficacy is to the best of my knowledge unproven. Unlike any type of constricting or compression bands, their potential to "do more harm than good" is probably less. To me, its use would depend on a number of circumstances such as severity of bite, type of snake, estimated time to a hospital etc..I think it could be somewhat useful for its calming effect ( ie. it gives patient something positive to do in route and could provide a calming effect)....Brad T. Posted by Anonymous on September 10, 2000 Extractor I used the extractor on a copperhead bite a few years ago. The swelling did not progress beyond the bitten finger. However a small blister conformed to the size of the suction cup. Healing was complete with no lasting effects. If the Extractor aided this process I do not know however it at least let me feel like i was doing something about the wound! Posted by DougW on September 9, 2000 Extractor efficacy In the case of a Heloderm envenomation, the wound is too ragged and extensive for the Extractor to be applied properly. Recent studies, using pigs as models, have demonstrated quite clearly the Extractor does not show any appreciable reduction of swelling in the affected limb probably due to its inherent narrow focus. I believe that Crotalids deliver the venom so efficiently and deeply that venom retrieval with the Extractor is simply not going to happen. If I am hours away from medical treatment and/or have to operate a vehicle myself subsequent to a bite, I will utilise a wide area compression band, i.e., Ace type bandage wrapped proximally from the bite. -Holmes Posted by Holmes on September 9, 2000 Extractor I think they SUCK. Posted by DC on September 8, 2000 To post a comment, you must be logged in. If you are not a member, become one now!