Posted by:
gaboon_survivor
at Wed Oct 15 20:21:01 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by gaboon_survivor ]
>>do puff adders cause your blood to stop clotting, and your entire right side of your body turn to a bruise from the internal bleeding?...i know quite a few who were reportedly bitten by them in Zambia, and had nothing like that.
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>>The inability to clot effectively and the bruising may have been due to something other than the direct effect of the venom. Damaged tissue releases a substance called "tissue factor" that initiates clotting of blood. Bacteria can also release substances that do this. This means that tissue damage (like that seen following a bite by a gaboon or puff) or infection / sepsis can result in activation of the clotting cascade. If this is prolonged, the raw materials for forming clots are depleted and the ability to form clots is lost. This increases the risk of hemorrhage (bruising is visible evidence of hemorrhage into superficial tissue). Venom can also initiate this process, but the fact that these problems developed several days following the bite makes me thing infection / worsening tissue damage were likely contributing to the clotting problems.
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>>I am glad you survived intact. What were your symptoms when you first presented to a doctor? I’m curious as to why antivenom administration was delayed?
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>>Regards,
>>WK
>>
found this info at:
http://www-surgery.ucsd.edu/ent/DAVIDSON/Snake/Gabonica.htm
Hematological signs and symptoms: Gabbon Viper venom has a thrombin-like enzyme which quickly depletes serum fibrin levels thus rendering the blood incoagulable. In addition the venom has hemorrhagic activity as it causes widespread damage to the microvasculature. Of note, the lungs and gastrointestinal tract are extremely sensitive to this hemorrhagic activity. Finally, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and anemia may also occur. The patient should be monitored closely and blood products including whole blood, packed RBC's platelets, cryoprecipitate, and fresh frozen plasma should be given when indicated.
they recommend upto 10 vials of AV for a servere envenomation, i think i got only 1!
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gaboon viper and blood clotting - gaboon_survivor, Wed Oct 15 20:21:01 2003