B
Bluetongue1
Guest
There have been issues with the SVDK yielding false positives but I cannot remember the details. I can try and find the relevant info if you would like me to. Urine and blood can also be utilised in the ID process.
There is a rather complex looking protocol developed and still being refined, in relation snake bite and administration of antivenom. It involves diagnosis from the nature of the systemic reactions as to both the nature of the venom and the amount of antivenom to be administered. It also incorporates rapid reaction to the horse serum basis of the antivenom as well as the slower developing serum sickness. Due to the potential for these very serious side effects of antivenom, medical staff is reluctant to utilise it until they can determine it is definitely necessary. This has to be balanced against having to try and reverse serious systemic effects within organs if the effects of the venom are allowed to take full hold. For example, if blood cells start breaking down, they can clog the kidneys and render them non-functional which means wastes build up in the blood, reaching toxic levels which slows or stops the functioning of critical organs, resulting in death (attributed to kidney failure as it happened first).
The above is why some people get to hospital, are given antivenom and still die. Properly applied compression bandage and immobilisation and how this reduces lymph movement and therefore why it is so important, would be something you might want to broach. It quite literally buys you time to get to medical assistance.
I have a pamphlet I made up on ‘living with snakes and avoiding bites’ that I can send you, if you like. Just pm an email address if you want it.
Blue
There is a rather complex looking protocol developed and still being refined, in relation snake bite and administration of antivenom. It involves diagnosis from the nature of the systemic reactions as to both the nature of the venom and the amount of antivenom to be administered. It also incorporates rapid reaction to the horse serum basis of the antivenom as well as the slower developing serum sickness. Due to the potential for these very serious side effects of antivenom, medical staff is reluctant to utilise it until they can determine it is definitely necessary. This has to be balanced against having to try and reverse serious systemic effects within organs if the effects of the venom are allowed to take full hold. For example, if blood cells start breaking down, they can clog the kidneys and render them non-functional which means wastes build up in the blood, reaching toxic levels which slows or stops the functioning of critical organs, resulting in death (attributed to kidney failure as it happened first).
The above is why some people get to hospital, are given antivenom and still die. Properly applied compression bandage and immobilisation and how this reduces lymph movement and therefore why it is so important, would be something you might want to broach. It quite literally buys you time to get to medical assistance.
I have a pamphlet I made up on ‘living with snakes and avoiding bites’ that I can send you, if you like. Just pm an email address if you want it.
Blue