Press Release - University
of Florida at Gainesville
“The investigational anti-venom has successfully
been used in other parts of the country, as well as in Mexico and parts of Central America, but never
previously in this area,” said Carsten Bandt, an assistant professor of
emergency medicine and the service chief of emergency and critical care at UF’s
Small Animal Hospital
The purpose of this study is to test the potential
benefits, safety, side effects and efficacy of the anti-venom known by the
trade name of VenomVet. Dog owners have the option of receiving the standard
anti-venom if they choose not to be involved with the study.
Dogs with moderate to severe signs of a pit viper
snakebite, that have previously not been treated with steroids or other
anti-venom and that are brought to the UF Small Animal Hospital emergency
service within six hours of the bite, are eligible for inclusion in the study.
Participation includes treatment with the
investigational anti-venom and a follow-up evaluation after the dog has been
discharged from the hospital.
The investigational anti-venom is provided at no
charge for participants, although the pet owners are responsible for other
diagnostic and medical expenses as needed. A cost estimate is provided to the
dog owner at the time of admission.
Pit vipers include venomous snakes of the
Crotalinae family. Five species of pit vipers are found in the Southeast:
copperhead, cottonmouth (also known as water moccasins), and three types of
rattlesnakes — Eastern diamondback, pygmy and timber. All pit vipers have a
small sensory pit, used to detect infrared radiation and locate prey, below
each eye.
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