ST GEORGE & SUTHERLAND SHIRE LEADER (Australia) 01 January 08 Snake bites man in shed
A Clunes man was hospitalised yesterday after a run-in with a reptile "housemate".
The 43-year-old man, who had set up house in his shed, was bitten on the toe by a one-metre brown snake.
The man's cat was killed by a bite from a snake yesterday.
It was the third snake bite Ballarat paramedics have been called to in the past fortnight.
The man was taken to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital for treatment, including an anti-venom shot.
Tests had confirmed the venom was from the brown snake venom group, Base Hospital emergency medicine assistant director Dr Steve Pincus said yesterday.
"The actual snake is largely irrelevant to us, it's what's the appropriate antidote that matters."
He said the man was "fine", but would remain at the hospital overnight for further tests.
Rural Ambulance Victoria paramedic Glen Sweet said it was an unfortunate accident and there was nothing else the man could have done.
Mr Sweet said the incident was far from life-threatening and the man was most likely to just be uncomfortable for a while.
He said snake venom travelled through the lymphatic system and would only spread quickly with movement - dying was not inevitable.
If bitten, it was important to keep the affected limb still and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage where possible, he said.
All major Victorian hospitals are required by law to house two types of anti-venom, for the tiger and brown snake groups, because sometimes it is difficult to determine what type of snake was the culprit.
Australia and Victoria are home to the most dangerous and highly toxic snakes in the world.
Most people are bitten trying to kill the snake, so it is best to leave it alone for the experts to deal with.
Mr Sweet said most snakes were found near water, and he recommended sensible footwear and clothing be worn around these areas at all times.
Snake bites man in shed