Close Call with a King Cobra

MDT · 12-13-12, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Maybe MDT can help with this one but I think you guys are putting too much into a private keeper stocking their own antivenin. Paramedics wont administer, and i'm pretty sure the ER doc will be hesitant on using something you just brought in with you. Aaron- I can almost promise you if you showed up with your own CroFab at an ER well stocked with it they will be using theirs, so that seems like a waste of not only the keepers money, but the overall stock of antivenin to me.

If you brought me SEALED, UNOPENED, NOT-OUT-OF-DATE, BRAND NAME CroFab, I'd prob give it to you......anything beyond that, I'm giving the hospitals meds. Most docs (who know nothing about snakes and snakebites) would very likely would not. The zoo had protocols pre-established with the receiving ED for them to bring the species appropriate anti venom if there was a bite. But again, CroFab is cheap when compared to some crazy Asian elapid or something like that. And the CroFab will cost (last I checked) around $2500 per 2 vials (don't quote me on this one)....and, figure for a moderate envenomation around 12-18 vials....not cheap.

RandyRhoads · 12-14-12, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

If you brought me SEALED, UNOPENED, NOT-OUT-OF-DATE, BRAND NAME CroFab, I'd prob give it to you......anything beyond that, I'm giving the hospitals meds. . Most docs (who know nothing about snakes and snakebites) would very likely would not. .

That's what I figured. How many people want to risk their license/career by trusting something someone just brings in with them.

So tell me, why should I be purchasing CroFab beforehand again? Medical insurance wont pay for it beforehand, but it will after. If I were to spend thousands on it it would probablly expire before being needed, and if it was needed probablly wouldn't be useful....

MDT · 12-14-12, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

If I were to spend thousands on it it would probablly expire before being needed, and if it was needed probablly wouldn't be useful....

RR....you're right on this one. Most of the anti venom does expire (thankfully) because bites are rare. this is a huge cost to many zoos. it would be interesting to have frank jump in here to address how his zoo handled anti venom and its cost. i can only speak about our local zoo and it is fairly small compared to larger cities.

**Aaron_S** · 12-14-12, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

That's what I figured. How many people want to risk their license/career by trusting something someone just brings in with them.

So tell me, why should I be purchasing CroFab beforehand again? Medical insurance wont pay for it beforehand, but it will after. If I were to spend thousands on it it would probablly expire before being needed, and if it was needed probablly wouldn't be useful....

Randy, as Kim said we're all going to have to agree to disagree once again. That's the usual on how Kim and I debate these and I think in a few weeks I'll ask her for another round

As stated though, if you DID buy it, and it was as MDT described it then it would be used.