Where do you find anti-venom?

[bistrobob85]

I was just wondering where i can find anti-venom for most species of venemous tarantulas... I called the anti-poison center and they dont seem to have any. They told me to call the Montreal's Insectarium to get info... My job is to sell animals, and i sell dangerous scorpions and spiders, some times. I deal with them a lot, can someone tell me what there is to be done ( other than just going to the hospital ( which doesnt seem to be ready for this at all ) )???? Any info would help :). Just dont want to be bitten by one of those Ornemental Regalis, or Vietnamese Centipede...

[cobraman]

I would contact the AZA (they put out the antivenom index)

[bistrobob85]

Whats the AZA?

[lostwithin]

I'm not sure where you’d find it, I've looked up snake anti-venoms, they can get very costly, Good luck
Devon

[cobraman]

Here ya go........

http://www.aza.org/

[bistrobob85]

I'm not american, i would need Canadian sources... i dont think our hospitals get their anti-venoms from the states... I also think i might have tons of problems trying to get theses through the lanes...

[cobraman]

Ohhh, well I don't know what to tell ya then. I had to get a special permit to stock exotic antivenoms in the U.S.

[lostwithin]

Hey, I'm no expert, but when I was doing research on it, my understanding was you have too purchase and store your own supply when it comes too exotic anti-venoms (which is most) hospitals will not purchase or stock it for you. But I may be wrong,
Devon

[YummyCdnMale]

I am from Montreal i believe you DO have to buy and stock your own antivenoms after all when's the last time you seen a rattler slithering down St Catherine street! If your in Montreal call the Reptile Amazone located on Notre Dame st, 514 933-1916 maybe they can help you seeing they stock the largest amount of venomous species in Montreal


Rob.......

[bistrobob85]

Excellent! i didnt know Reptile Amazon had Anti-venoms! Thats very good, cause im going there next week!!! Thanks a lot!

[Matt]

firstly if reptile amazon has AV, they arent going to share or sell to you, they cant legally sell it. They are legally bound into giving it to you if you are bitten and need it to live. Unfortunately keeping venomous species and no AV adn relying on getting it free from someone in a pinch is very irresponsible.

so....I've been throught the whole process and here is how you have to go about this.

It doesnt matter that your in canada, you need firstly like Ray said the AVA antivenin index. This lists the suppliers of all the AVin the world. Check which AV's covers the species you are interested in adn who supplies it....it will be a company in the country of origin of the snake.
Heres the tough part. AV is not an FDA approved drug, so you are not legally allowed to have it. You have to go get a doctor to "sponsor" you. The docotr can call the company to get the AV have it ordered and shipped to Canada and he can keep it for you.
Like I said, you arent supposed to be in possesion of it and since its not approved you can get a licence for it anyways. SO your docot can keep it in his office for emegency use. Some docotos may give it to you to keep at home....its not really legal or illegal, its a gray area so some let you have it. Some might not and you have to call them when you get bitten and get the AV.

depending on what species you keep your in for paying quite a bit of money to get the AV and you need to stock IMO at least 10 vials

its even harder to go through than it sounds on paper, most docots want no part of it

lemme know if you have any questions about it

[Syco]

I could be wrong but... I don't think that there are AVs for Tarantula venom. I don't know about the scorpions or anything else you have but most tarantula bites result in just localized swelling, pain and itching. I know that the regalis is a lot worse for some people but I think they just treat it by giving saline fluids to flush the toxin from the body and keep the person under observation. I don't think anyone has ever died from a regalis bite. You might want to go to the invert forum and ask some questions.

[Hamster of Borg]

There is no antivenin for tarantulas, they aren't deadly anyway, unless one was severely allergic - and in that case antivenin wouldn't be much good anyway. Merck makes black widow antivenin, and SAIMR has a Parabuthid antivenin for that particular group of scorpions.

Ham

[BWSmith]

Benadryl and a bandaid. :D

[Syco]

Yep, I think that is probably the best way to treat most T bites! LOL!

[Gary O]

Like BWSmith said and Syco said T bites hurt but should not be fatal. Unless you have a reaction to them something like some people do to bees.

There are only a few Spiders that do not have venom. I can not think of there names. So probably all the Spiders and Ts that you deal with will be venomous.

I would not like to take a hit from my Pterinochilus murinus but if it did happen I would clean the bite and put a bandaid on it. Thats about it.

It would hurt like hell though lol

[Cruciform]

If you were to suffer from anaphylaxis as a result of an envenomation, provided you didn't croak from the allergy immediately they'd probably give you a shot of epinephrine, which the paramedics would have in their kit.

You should put a label on each cage that can be easily removed, with the relevant info about the species contained, and the toxins they inject. If you get envenomated grab the label immediately so that if you are unable to speak or write due to an allergic reaction, you can provide them with the means to save your life.