Posted by:
gaboon_survivor
at Wed Oct 8 19:13:55 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by gaboon_survivor ]
just found this site...wouldnt mind hearing anyone else's experience...I was unlucky enough to be zapped by one on the ankle,in Zambia, in 93, while working on a farm, was scaring wild pigeons from around a field with an air rifle!! Was stalking quietly in 18" high grass, so must have surprized it. I grew up there till 18, and was back visiting much later for a few months. gaboons were rare in the area. we mostly ran into mambas, spitting cobras, puff adders.
It was a miracle that I survived the first hrs, and first week.. the first dr treating me assumed it was a puff adder, so did not give anti-venon till the 4th day when it was obvious something serious was wrong..internal bleeding, no clotting, renal failure, gang-green, septiceemia etc. ended up being rushed to Johanessburg ($10 grand for that ticket) and spent a week in icu..most of which i dont remember, they saved my leg (which I was very happy about since am an avid squash player), after 4 or 5 operations, ended up with some nice scars from faciotomy/skin grafts up to my knee. have ended up with a fused ankle in the side direction (no tendons), and lousy circulation..but am otherwize fine...thanks to God who answered many prayers on my behalf.
I was told by the Dr in joburg, that only a gaboon could have caused the damage i recieved...and that I was very luckey to survive and keep my leg. will post some picture if anyone is interested.
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 any other gaboon viper bite survivors out there? - gaboon_survivor, Wed Oct 8 19:13:55 2003
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