Tiger Snake Envenomation

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First Aid for tiger snake envenomation is pressure-immobilization

The snakes in the group defined here are grouped together because of similarity in clinical aspects of the envenomations they may cause. Several genera are represented, and among the species included are:

  • Mainland Tiger Snake
  • Black Tiger Snake
  • Rough-Scaled Snake
  • Copperheads
  • Pale-Headed Snake
  • Broad-Headed Snake
  • Stephen's Banded Snake
  • Small-Eyed Snake

Signs and Symptoms

Tiger snake venom has a wide range of effects on humans. It contains pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neurotoxins, myotoxins and procoagulants. Significant envenomation by any species of this group may result in:

  1. Neurological impairment
  2. Paralysis
  3. Incoaguable blood
  4. Rhabdomyolysis
  5. Renal failure secondary to myolysis

Treatment

First aid for tiger snake envenomation consists of a pressure bandage and immobilisation. In cases where a pressure bandage has been applied correctly, it can be left in situ indefinitely while the patient is feeling no discomfort as a result. If it becomes appropriate to remove a pressure bandage, it is necessary to have antivenom and haemostatic support ready. In severe cases, a patient may require ventilatory support.

Antivenom is indicated for any clinical manifestations of neurotoxicity, myolysis or severe coagulopathy.

Antivenom

Tiger snake antivenom can be used effectively for envenomation by any of the species listed above.

Tiger snake antivenom supplied by CSL Ltd is equine in origin.

Brown Snake Envenomation

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First Aid for brown snake envenomation is pressure-immobilisation

Brown snake is widespread outside urban areas, and particularly common around buildings in rural environments. The group is the most important in terms of fatalities, being responsible for more deaths in the last twenty-five years than any other group. The fact that brown snakes are very fast-moving also adds degree to the danger they present. While all snakes are generally variable in appearance, brown snakes are remarkably so, leading to possible problems with identification.

Among the toxins contained in their venom is a very potent presynaptic neurotoxin, one of the strongest of toxins found in snakes. The venom also contains a postsynaptic neurotoxin and a procoagulant. Unlike the venom of most dangerous Australian elapids, that of brown snakes has littles or no myolytic activity.

Signs and Symptoms

Early collapse, a few minutes after the bite, is not infrequent in cases of brown snake envenomation, possibly due to haemostatic disturbance resulting from coagulopathy. Bloods will typically indicate prolonged clotting times. Thrombocytopenia is also evident from haematology. One diagnostically distinct feature of brown snake enevenomation is the absence of rhabdomyolysis, which in cases involving other species manifests as myoglobinuria. Coagulopathic effects can also result in disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, putting the patient at risk of cerebrovascular accident.

Treatment

First aid for brown snake envenomation consists of a pressure bandage and immobilisation. In cases where a pressure bandage has been applied correctly, it can be left in situ indefinitely while the patient is feeling no discomfort as a result. If it becomes appropriate to remove a pressure bandage, it is necessary to have antivenom and haemostatic support ready. In severe cases, a patient may require ventilatory support.

Brown Snake Antivenom

It is generally accepted that the initial treatment for syptomatic brown snake envenomation involves administration of two ampoules of monovalent Brown Snake Antivenom. Brown snake antivenom supplied by CSL Ltd is equine in origin.

Black Snake Envenomation

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The First Aid for black snake envenomation is pressure-immobilisation

Black Snake Envenomation: Signs and Symptoms

The venom of mulga snake is somewhat less toxic than that of many other Australian venomous snakes, among them the black snake. Mytoxicity is a major feature, and the venom also contains anticoagulants and possibly neurotoxins. Swelling and pain at the bite site may be seen, and are unusual in bites by other Australian snake genera.

Red-bellied black snake bite may cause coagulopathy, neurotoxicity, and myolysis. No human deaths have been confirmed, although animals have died after bites by this snake.

Bites from the blue-bellied black snake may cause severe local pain and regional lymphadenopathy.

Black Snake Envenomation: Treatment

First aid for black snake envenomation consists of a pressure bandage and immobilization. In cases where a pressure bandage has been applied correctly, it can be left in situ indefinitely while the patient is feeling no discomfort as a result. If it becomes appropriate to remove a pressure bandage, it is necessary to have antivenom and haemostatic support ready.

Antivenom

Black snake antivenom should be used for envenomation by the mulga snake and Collett's snake.

Tiger snake antivenom is just as effective in treating envenomation by the red-bellied black snake and blue-bellied black snake, and is preferable because of its lesser volume.

Black snake and tiger snake antivenom supplied by CSL Ltd are equine in origin.