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[pct-l] Rattlesnakes



Sorry, THEY pulled the link.

Here's the information from it:
Look out! Rattlesnake

By: ADRIENNE A. AGUIRRE - Staff Writer
NORTH COUNTY ---- It's rattlesnake season and as the weather gets hotter, 
people and pets will be at more risk of getting bitten.

Rattlesnakes began coming out of hibernation in March and will be active 
until the weather gets cooler in late October or even November, according to 
officials. Around North County on Wednesday, physicians and veterinarians said they 
are seeing an increase in animal and human patients coming into their offices 
with rattlesnake bites. 
"I've had three (patients with) bites in four days," said Dr. Roy Johnson, a 
family practitioner in Valley Center. "It totally depends on the weather."

The frequency of incidents seems to be the same for pets.

"In the last week, the numbers have increased significantly," said Dr. 
Timothy M. Concannon, veterinarian at California Veterinary Specialists in San 
Marcos. "It's been a daily occurrence."

Reactions to rattlesnake bites are similar for pets and people. Though the 
bites are rarely fatal, symptoms include extreme pain or numbness, shock, 
blood-clotting problems, abnormal heart rhythms, tissue damage and swelling. Some 
victims can experience all of those symptoms because the venom has different 
purposes.

"It's like a package of a lot of different toxins," Concannon said, adding 
that the effects vary from the type of rattlesnake bite, to the snake's age and 
the time of year. He said it is believed that springtime can be the most 
dangerous period because rattlesnakes just coming out of hibernation have the most 
concentrated venom and baby rattlesnakes born in spring have poor control over 
their venom.

Johnson, who has training in herpetology, said that in western San Diego 
County there are three types of rattlesnakes: red, speckled and southern Pacific.

"The venom between the snakes is totally different," he said. "The most 
venomous is the southern Pacific and it's also the one that is most likely to bite."

Johnson said that if a person is bitten, they should take off any rings, 
watches or bracelets near the wound and go straight to the hospital.

"You do not cut, you do not suck, you do not apply ice," he said, adding that 
tying off the wound is also dangerous.

Both doctors say the earlier the bites are treated, the better the recovery 
will be.
...
Treatment is the same for pets and people. It can include pain relief, 
antibiotics, anti-venin injections and, in some cases, surgery on the wound and 
hyperbaric-oxygen treatment for faster healing.

According to Concannon, one vial of anti-venin is $400 and it could take up 
to five vials to work. A stay in the animal hospital can run from one to five 
days and from $700 to thousands of dollars. Early treatment for pets can save 
money because anti-venin lessens tissue damage, which is costly to correct.

"Curiosity is what gets them in trouble," said Concannon adding that 90 
percent of dogs get bitten on the nose when sniffing a snake. Cats, he said, are 
usually bitten on the paw when they swat at a snake.

Some experts recommend that people avoid snakebites while in brushy areas by 
staying on hiking trails, wearing sturdy boots.

Johnson said that there is not much people can do to avoid snakebites except 
to be aware of their surroundings. If humans encounter a rattlesnake, they 
should just back off immediately. Standing still, he said, doesn't prevent bites.

"Most people get bitten because they pick it up," he said. "It's a behavior 
problem."

... from staff writer Adrienne A. Aguirre