Copperhead bite

**MomK** · 09-22-2008, 06:48 PM

Does anyone know anything about Copperheads? I read about them on the Internet, and they sound pretty scary. DS 17 (exchange student) was bitten on the calf on Saturday night, but couldn't tell what kind of snake it was in the dark. I suspect Copperhead, as we just killed one in our carport. It is illegal to kill a snake in AR, but they can put me in jail if they want to!

We went to the ER, and the drs. there said it looked like a "nonvenomous snake bite." Well, he was vomiting for about 4 hours, so I don't know if I believe them. At 1 am the ER released us to go home...he was still vomiting. I told them that if they send us home while he's still vomiting, we'll just have to come right back because he'll be dehydrated. They then agreed to give him an injection of phenergan.

The area is not red, but if he doesn't keep the foot elevated, the foot begins to swell.

My questions are: If it was nonvenomous, how long will he have to keep it elevated? What if it was venomous?

**dilligaf** · 09-22-2008, 07:36 PM

a copperhead isnt deadly venomous for the most part . The infection from the bite is what you have to worry about more than anything , not just the copperhead. It is going to hurt like mad and swell up pretty good and for several days. They should have put him on antibiotics , other than that keep it elevated ..

**PrairieRose** · 09-22-2008, 10:20 PM

If he's not better soon, I'd go back and demand to see another dr.

**AGierald** · 09-22-2008, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by PrairieRose

If he's not better soon, I'd go back and demand to see another dr.

yup, i agree

**pop goes the weasel** · 09-23-2008, 11:05 AM

If you're like me you didn't find much about them on the net. Of course I may not have googled the right thing. We found a nest of copperheads in an old tree stump out in our back yard. Nobody has ever heard of them being around here before. I agree I would go back to the dr. This year there seems to be an over abundance of critters in our back yard and we only have 1/5 of an acre. Bears, coyotes, snakes, racoons, bunnies,skunks and deer.The last four I can deal with but not the rest. They have even seen mountain lions about 20 miles up the road. Not much help but I hope he gets better quickly

**Patty A** · 10-04-2008, 02:56 PM

Another way to get great information like you need is to contact your local poison control center.

I looked up the one in your area and it has it listed like this:
University of Arkanas For Medical Science.

The Arkansas Poison Control Center - 1-800-222-1222

I would call them and ask questions, they should be the most up to date and be able to give you great information, at least on what to watch for with the son!

I wouldn't wait long to have him back there if in any way he seems to be getting worse. MAKE them keep and eye on him if only so you will feel better.

**KatieInLa2** · 10-04-2008, 07:35 PM

How is your student doing?

My dogs got in a nest Monday morning and two of my dogs got bit. I gave them liquid benedryl. They felt bad and swelled up for a day or two but were ok after that.