Small Town News

Be prepared for unlikely snake bites

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Keep hands and feet out of areas you cannot see. Be-wear'ing shoes and garden gloves. Trod heavily, making noise and vibration. Turn on light or flashlight if it's dark. Coral snakes and rattlesnakes lurk "all over" Mountain City.

Chances of getting bit are sssssslender. Still, have a plan, in case a venomous snake bites a family member, friend or a pet.

Sometimes a snake injects no venom, so keep a human calm with that truth. Panic, with rapid heartbeat, will make things worse for the victim.

Get the person or pet away from the snake.

For humans, call the Poison Control Hotline, 800-222-1222. They will coordinate contact with our 911, the emergency room, and the nearest facility with antivenin.

For pets, call your vet and, with credit card in hand, call Pet Poison Helpline, 800-213-6680. For a $35 fee, receive initial consultation and follow-up calls.

Don't try to capture the snake. If feasible, take a digital photo.

Remove jewelry and tight clothing.

Keep bite level with the heart.

Wash bite with warm soapy water, if patient is human.

Don't use old first aid remedies: no tourniquet, no ice, no cutting the wound and sucking out the venom. Too, no pain meds and no alcohol.

For a coral snake bite, wrap the extremity with an elastic pressure bandage. Start from the point closest to the heart and wrap towards the fingers or toes.

Vern Meyer sent word that his black cat, Hershey, recently sat proudly by the driveway with a coral snake that measured right at 24 inches without the head. "The snake was almost dead by the time we saw it. She had mangled it and was waiting for it to die, so she could have dinner. She's also brought home rattlesnakes, other snakes, mice, lizards, geckos, and birds. For only 8 pounds, she is quite the hunter."

Dogs and cats are about 20 times more likely to be bitten by venomous snakes than people and are about 25 times more likely to die if bitten. A dog or cat is about 300 times more likely to be bitten by a venomous snake than to get rabies.

At least two Mountain City dog residents were bit by rattlesnakes last week. Local vets carry rattlesnake vaccine for dogs, which greatly lessens the effect of a rattlesnake bite. The first injection takes several weeks to take effect. And, the vaccine has no effect on coral snake bites.

Beth Smith sent a quick reminder, "Even if you are home and working in the backyard, you will want to keep the front of the house closed and locked up as always."

And, I have a quick reminder for you. I need tidbits! Leave a message at 512-268-5678 or email ptom5678@gmail.com.

Thanks! Love, Pauline



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© 2011 The Free Press Buda, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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