Matt, here is that puff pic I promised.....

[Feed'em All]

what about the price of the AV for bitis?

[ETET]

As of March 2003, current price of 1 vial of SAIMR polvalent antivenom 10ml is $55USD (S&H extra).

ETET

[Feed'em All]

OK, one of this two things is happening here....
1) I am stupid I don't understand a word of you speaking english..
2)An imported AV is cheaper than the CroFab?

If n° 2 is happening (n° one always does, I'm stupid, let's face it...) You ppl shoud investigate how to import our AV (from Malbran Institute) which is done with Crotalus durissus terrificus (and all the argentinian bothrops). Because due to money change yuo could get that AV almost free...
Anyway, just a thought.
Martin.

[ETET]

Feed'em All,

Sorry for the abbreviation, it means South African Institute of Medical Research (SAIMR now called South African Vaccine Producers Ltd.) polyvalent antivenom. 10ml vial cost $55 US dollars excluding Shipping and Handling.

You are correct that this imported AV is cheaper than CroFab. CroFab is a newer AV which made from sheep, manufacturer says it contains mainly venom specific Fab fragments and does not contain many proteins responsible for adverse effect like older products (that's why more expensive or because of shortage??). What's the name or contact info of the AV you mentioned from Malbran Institute? I have terrificus too, if AV is almost free may be worth to take a look...

ETET

[Nightflight99]

Imported a/v is almost always much cheaper than the domestic CroFab. The reason for this lies in the fact that the production cost for CroFab are relatively high, as opposed to the relatively low production cost of imported a/v. Savage Laboratories distributes CroFab for the cost of $775.00 per vial. It comes in packs of vials, which means that the cost is $1,550.00 per 2-pack. The initial dosis consists of 6 vials, with additional vials being needed as it becomes necessary. Most hospitals that do carry CroFab stock between 12-20 vials.

The difficulty with obtaining exotic a/v is not generally the price, but the various permits and red tape one must overcome in order to legally import it into the United States. In addition, some of the more exotic manufacturers require minimum orders that would make it unfeasible for a private keeper. After all, who needs 150 vials of Daboia russelli antivenin?

A decent alternative was provided by the former Florida Antivenin Bank. For a relatively small annual membership fee, antivenin was provided as needed in the case of an emergency. Unfortunately, the Antivenin Bank has since been taken over by the government, and is no longer offering memberships. Instead, the Miami Dade Fire Rescue runs a separate department called 'Venom One', which provides antivenin and medical emergency counseling/treatment to snakebite victims throughout the United States. The only difference between the former Antivenin Bank and the current 'Venom One' unit lies in the fact that the antivenin itself was covered in the membership fee (however, not the transportation of the a/v to the hospital), and is now billed at cost to the patient.

Generally, all keepers of venomous reptiles should be encouraged to obtain exotic antivenin and store it at location for use in an emergency situation (administered in a hospital setup only!). If this proves unfeasible, every keeper should at the very least locate the nearest source of the appropriate a/v, and include this information in his/her emergency protocols.

Regards,

~TE

[Feed'em All]

I will check it out for the name of the Malbran AV (gimme a couple days).
Martin.

[Nightflight99]

No worries, Martin, I have the information regarding the Malbran a/v at hand. According to Theakston and Warrell (1991), the Instituto Nacional de Microbiologia in Buneos Aires produces five different antivenin, including

- Bothrops Bi-valent (B.alternatus, B.neuwiedi, B.ammodytoides)
- Tropical Trivalent (B.alternatus, B.neuwiedi, C.d.terrificus)
- Bothrops Tetravalent (B.alternatus, B.neuwiedi, B.jararaca, B.jararacussu)
- Antimicrurus (M.frontalis, M.corallinus)
- Anticrotalus (C.d.terrificus)

The contact address is as follows:

Instituto Nacional de Microbiologia
"Dr.Carlos G. Malbran"
Avdo. Velez,Sarsfield 563
Buenos Aires
Republica Argentina

Phone: 4303-1804
4301-1433

However, Martin may want to double-check this contact info, as it may be outdated by now.

Hope this helps.

~TE

[Feed'em All]

Wow! yup that's correct, I have heard that AV vial is 75 pesos, around 25 US dollars, is the one you have to keep in the frigde (I dunno how to say it in english, sorry).
So, I guess 25 bucks is a bargain 4 u guys, do some research about it!.
MARTIN.

[Gregg M]

Hey martin, Thanks for the info........ And the way you say that word in english is re-fridge-er-ator.......