Nurses Keeping Venomous Snakes as Pets

Published

Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

The other day, an odd conversation started at work.  For whatever reason, a discussion regarding snake bites and their treatment was started, even though the likelihood of having to treat any of our residents for a snake bite is almost nonexistent.   This brought up a coworker mentioning that they have kept rattlesnakes in the past and another one mentioning that they still have one.  Both of them mentioned that they either had their own vial of antivenin available or lived close enough to a hospital that could treat a rattlesnake bite.  

This got me thinking...how many other nurses keep dangerous venomous snakes as pets? What is your plan for if you get bitten? 

Or, how many of you have been involved with treating snakebites? Have you ever had to educate a patient that maybe keeping a venomous snake is not the best idea? 

Share stories regarding snake keeping and snake bite treatment

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
53 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

This got me thinking...how many other nurses keep dangerous venomous snakes as pets?

I had a snake as a pet, but ended up marrying her.

On our first date, my medical nurse wife Belinda told me that her name meant "snake".

A red flag was raised. Oh great. I'm attracted to a person who acts in a deceitful, underhanded, or backstabbing way.

Like my SIL.

Belinda now denies she ever used the word snake. Her grandparents immigrated here from Germany, and  the Old High German name, Betlinde, means "bright serpent". 

Whatever.

 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×

DING DING DING.  We have a winner for OP's strangest post.

6
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
13 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

DING DING DING.  We have a winner for OP's strangest post.

LOL, the idea of anyone keeping a venomous snake as a pet is very strange indeed. ?

However, snake bites are very real and can cause serious medical complications depending on the severity of the bite and the species of snake. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

This thread takes a unique twist by bringing attention to a serious issue in health care--snake bite treatment--while also taking an interesting spin by bringing forth discussion related to nurses and other individuals who care for dangerous snakes in the home or other setting. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think their snake ownership has anything to do with them being nurses.  It's an odd connection to make!

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
1 hour ago, SilverBells said:

This thread takes a unique twist by bringing attention to a serious issue in health care--snake bite treatment--while also taking an interesting spin by bringing forth discussion related to nurses and other individuals who care for dangerous snakes in the home or other setting. 

There is no twist to this thread, it is very clearly stated in the first post. I'm sure somehow one of your replies will make it into a dramatic twisted saga than it needs to be, but it is not there yet.

To your actual topic - after living in Phoenix for a couple of years I became more familiar with snake bites than I thought I would. Each state is different in regards to legality of owning a snake - some require a permit, some forbid it. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Forget about snakes - think about pit bulls and other aggressive canine breeds.

Then there's the folk who keep exotic or illegal breeds like lynx or simians.

Vicarious thrill seekers!

 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
3 hours ago, SilverBells said:

What is your plan for if you get bitten? 

 

anti venom.png
2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
9 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Forget about snakes - think about pit bulls and other aggressive canine breeds.

Then there's the folk who keep exotic or illegal breeds like lynx or simians.

Vicarious thrill seekers!

 

Rethink that. I own a pit bull. They are only aggressive.. if they are trained by idiots to be. My pittie might just lick you to death.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

BTDT - You're right. Altho I do have concerns re any animal that has the inherent POTENTIAL to become aggressive without provocation.

I do know there are some pets that are quite loved by their owners.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Moved to Animal Lovers Club

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment