Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone,

If you've got your own antivenom and you're doing public demos, can you bring the antivenom with you?

For example, the Watertown zoo in northern NYS puts together a big animal day. They tell individuals not to bring snakes who's antivenom is not accessible by a 30 minute drive.

Isn't the antivenom supposed to stay with your doctor? If you do out of state demos, can you bring your own antivenom?

Dave

We do keep a/v with us at all times including our many outreach education programs that include venomous herps. Realizing that many hospitals/doctors are not well versed at how to properly treat venomous snake bites and administer the appropriate a/v, we have a written, easy to read "sheet" that any competent doctor can follow. Most folks do not keep their own a/v (cost, excessive amount of red tape to get it, etc.) and rely on others to obtain what they need in the case of an emergency. Personally, I think any private keeper of venomous specis should be required to keep their own supply of av. Depending on your insurance carrier, a lot will depend on what the policy says (but either way, I think you should have your own supply). Rob Carmichael, Curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm, Lake Forest, IL.

Hey Rob,

Thanks for responding. I was under the impression that you were not allowed to keep/store your own antivenom. Hospitals don't know if it has been tampered with, stored properly etc. I thought that because of this, they wouldn't just administer a/v you keep at home. I could be wrong, but I did tons of research years ago and remember this. I remember something about only your MD keeping the a/v for you, but I could be wrong.

That is why I wasn't sure if you could bring a/v with you. Also, is this stuff legal to bring across state line?

Dave

I carry my A/V with me whenever I do a program which involves the Neo-tropical species (bushmaster, terciopelo, etc). Who keeps the antivenom, is dependent upon how you filled out the FDA forms. I am the drugs sponsor, which means, I keep it and its under my possession. IT simply cannot be administered unless my physician is there or someone whom he designates(e.g., an attending physician at Jacobi Hospital).

I've done several programs/open houses for the Upstate Herp. Association in Syracuse, and have brought the A/V every time.

Matt Harris

Matt,

When you said "or anyone the doctor designates", is that something in writing that can't be changed, or is it just a matter of a phone call?

I'm asking this because if you're doing shows all over the state, it might be difficult to pin down one particular person to designate.

I still want to make it out to one of your demos to see your terciopelo and bushmaster.

Dave

I believe that would be done over the phone....e.g., if someone were bitten, and life-flighted to Jacobi Hospital, my protocol, has my physicians name and number on it. The ER doctors would be in phone contact with my physician, who would simply give them the authority to administer the A/V.

I think September is when I'm scheduled to give a talk to UHA on our April Costa Rica Trip. Odd thing is, I'm tentatively heading back down there in September to begin a crocodile census.

I'll be out in June for the Cicero Massasauga hike.

I appreciate the responses guys. Any other info would be great too.

later,
Dave

No problem. I'm actually meeting with one of our UHA members before the Cicero Hike 6/5, to go over the FDA forms with him, as he is attempting to procure his own A/V as well. If you can make it, come on over and join the hike.

You can email me for details.

Matt