Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that Namaqua dwarf adders have a mild cytotoxic venom and bites are rare, but is there an AV available for this species?

Not specifically, but SAIMR (SAVP) polyvalent might have some reactivity considering it's used for the larger Bitis species.

Hi:

Bites are so rare (as is the species) not much is known. No specific A/V exsists. As psilocybe mentions SAVP Poly may have some effect but is it worth the risks of using A/V for this species. I'm not sure it is, beside if the snake does not kill you the physician may succeed.

Cheers!

Al
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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

>>Hi:
>>
>>Bites are so rare (as is the species) not much is known. No specific A/V exsists. As psilocybe mentions SAVP Poly may have some effect but is it worth the risks of using A/V for this species. I'm not sure it is, beside if the snake does not kill you the physician may succeed.

Whether or not A/V is indicated or not depends on the severity of the individual bite, not the species. Although it is relatively unlikely that a B. peringueyi bite will produce life or limb-threatening symptoms, if it were to happen, then it would certainly seem like a good idea to try SAIMR Polyvalent in case it does help. Whether it will do any good or not is another question...

Cheers,

Wolfgang
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WW Home

If Bitis atropos bites are anything to judge by, the envenomation will be primarily neurotoxic and the SAVP antivenom might as well just be water for all it will do. The small size (and thus small venom yield), however, will certainly be in the favour of the person bitten.

Cheers
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
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Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
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Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
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http://www.venomdoc.com

Thanks for replying Bryan, that clears it up... I was thinking the same thing, but more because this species probably wasn't used in the making of this antivenin; but I don't know for sure so I'll just shut up now

Facinating! Good info WW

Cheers!

Al

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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

I didn't think AV would be necessary for this species, simply for their small size and venom yield, but was quite curious. Especially since so few bites have been recorded and little is know about it's effects. The SAIMR website said that it could be used for gaboons and puffs, but made no mention of any of the other bitis species.
Thanks again,
TJP

Don't be too complacent because of the small size. Bitis atropos have produced some extremely severe bites, including some freaky facial paralysis.

Cheers
Bryan
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Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Australian Venom Research Unit,
University of Melbourne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Population and Evolutionary Genetics Unit,
Museum Victoria
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.venomdoc.com

>>Don't be too complacent because of the small size. Bitis atropos have produced some extremely severe bites, including some freaky facial paralysis.

... as well as permanent impaired sense of smell, and a beautiful fasciotomy scar from hand to axilla in a S. African colleague I let two months ago.

As for AV - yup, pretty good chance SAVP won't do anything for any neurotoxic effects of peringueyi (and they have been documented), but if a more Big-Bitis-like clinical syndrome arises and gives cause for real concern, it may be worth trying to see if it can deal with at least some of the toxins behind those more traditional symptoms.

Cheers,

WW
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WW Home

I think I came across the wrong way about their size. I don't take any venomous lightly, but did understand that their yield is very small. However, saw-scales are small snakes, so not being too much of a novice, I should know that size doesn't really matter. Thanks again for the replies, your help is greatly appreciated.