by: Stacy Simmonds, DVM, DACVECC

Pit vipers are venomous snakes that have openings (pits) on their head between the eye and the nostril which can ‘see’ infrared radiation.  There are 3 groups of pit vipers in TX:  Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Rattlesnakes. Rattlesnake venom is the most toxic.  The antivenins used in canines are manufactured from equine immunoglobulins (IgG).  Antivenins are ideally processed to contain fragmented IgG molecules rather than the whole IgG molecule to minimize adverse reactions.  At CTVSEH, a fragmented IgG [F(ab)] antivenin, is kept in stock at all times for use in affected pets. Early use  of antivenin (within 6 hours) for venomous snake bites has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality.