ARIZONA REPUBLIC (Phoenix) 21 September 06 Treatment of snake bites will cost you (Clay Thompson)

T oday's question: I read recently that treatment of a rattlesnake bite costs about $60,000. Is that true?

That sounds like a lot, doesn't it? But it could be so.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, the costs of treating a rattlesnake bite can range from $15,000 to $40,000.

It depends on how many shots of antivenin you need, whether you need minor surgery, reconstructive surgery or intensive care. And you might need to be airlifted to the hospital, depending on where you are when you get bitten.

The antivenin isn't cheap. There is a new type of antivenin that came on the market in 2000. I am told it goes for $1,000 a shot, and you might need five or six shots, depending on the severity of the bite.

And if your dog or horse should happen to run afoul of a rattler, that's going to cost you, too. I couldn't come up with any firm estimates, but apparently it can run into the thousands.

A vaccine that is supposed to build your pet's immunity to snake venom came out a few years ago, but apparently the veterinary community has varying opinions on how well it works.

And a study came out a few years ago that showed the people most likely to be bitten by a venomous snake are young White adult males who have been drinking. So if you're heading into snake territory, be sure to take along a young White adult male who has been drinking. That way he can take the hit for you.
Treatment of snake bites will cost you

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• AZ Press: Snake bites will cost you - W von Papineäu, Fri Sep 22 20:01:25 2006