EMERGENCY CASEBOOKS
Exotic snakes are not always found in exotic places: how poison centres can assist emergency departments
Pittsburgh Poison Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Correspondence to:
Professor Edward P Krenzelok, Pittsburgh Poison Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; krenzelokep{at}upmc.edu
Emergency departments throughout the USA may have some familiarity with the management of envenomation from indigenous snake species such as Crotalinae (rattlesnakes) and Micrurus (coral snakes). However, venomous species may include exotic reptiles whose bites pose substantial treatment challenges due to both a lack of experience and the difficulty in obtaining antivenoms. Two pet cobra envenomation incidents illustrate the challenges that face emergency departments, especially in urban settings, that are confronted with these exposures. It is important for emergency departments to be aware of the large underground presence of exotic venomous reptile pets and to utilise the expertise of regional poison centres that will also assist in the procurement of exotic antivenoms.
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
Relevant Article
- Primary Survey
- Jonathan Wyatt
Emerg. Med. J. 2007 24: 745.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Warrell, D.A.
(2009). Commissioned article: management of exotic snakebites. QJM
102: 593-601
[Abstract] [Full Text]
- Full Text
- Full Text (PDF)
- Submit a response
- Alert me when this article is cited
- Alert me when eLetters are posted
- Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
- Email this link to a friend
- Similar articles in this journal
- Similar articles in PubMed
- Add article to my folders
- Download to citation manager
- Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Google Scholar
PubMed
Topic Collections
Bookmark with
Register for free content
The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.
Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.
