I certainly agree that it is unwise for people to keep venomous snakes without also keeping or having immediate access to the antivenom. My primary concern however is that the keepers in question are skilled in good husbandry and are offering appropriate veterinary care.



It is true that you cannot give appropriate veterinary care without good handling skills. The procedures I listed as necessary for WC rhino vipers (fecal and tracheal wash, oral and injectable medication) certainly do require either humane restraint or anesthesia.



Fortunately if you can put a snake into a sealed box of known volume with a few small modifications, you can achieve safe and simple anesthesia at the vet's office with supplies he or she will have readily available. See the link below for details.
Isoflurane open drop technique

[ Hide Replies ]

• i want a rhino, have a question? - themntl1, Wed Dec 10 10:09:12 2003
• RE: i want a rhino, have a question? - wingert, Wed Dec 10 12:17:39 2003
• RE: i want a rhino, have a question? - themntl1, Wed Dec 10 13:08:15 2003
• RE: i want a rhino, have a question? - MsTT, Wed Dec 10 17:48:03 2003
• before we consider husbandry issues or veterinary issues.... - RAS, Wed Dec 10 19:33:51 2003
• RE: before we consider husbandry issues or veterinary issues.... - wingert, Wed Dec 10 20:38:10 2003
• Antivenom - RAS, Wed Dec 10 21:16:32 2003
• RE: before we consider husbandry issues or veterinary issues.... - themntl1, Wed Dec 10 21:25:07 2003
• Those are all good points. - MsTT, Wed Dec 10 23:08:59 2003