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Eristocophis mcmahoni
General Details, Taxonomy and Biology, Venom, Clinical Effects, Treatment, First Aid , Antivenoms
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Viperinae
Genus: Eristocophis
Species: mcmahoni
Common Names
McMahon's Viper , McMahon's Desert Viper , Baluchistani Leaf-nosed Viper , Kok Snake , Leaf-nosed Viper , Asian Sand Viper
Region
West Asia + Middle East
Countries
Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan
 
Taxonomy and Biology
Adult Length: 0.40 m
General Shape
Small length, dorsoventrally compressed, moderate to markedly stout bodied snake with short and stubby prehensile tail. Can grow to a maximum of 0.78 metres. Head is moderately large, broad, flattened, strongly depressed and distinct from neck with broad and short snout and indistinct canthus. Eyes are medium in size with vertically elliptical. Nostrils are small and slit-like. Dorsal scales are keeled and short. Ventrals with lateral keels, subcaudals without keels.
Habitat
Sandy, barren desert regions at elevations up to about 1200 metres.
Habits
Nocturnal, terrestrial and crepuscular. It can quickly bury itself in the sand by jerking movements of the body leaving only the head exposed. It remains in the sand during the day. Has a reputation for being ill-tempered. If alarmed it will raise the anterior body in a coil above the ground and hiss loud and continuously until any threat has passed. Will sometimes strike if approached too closely, but usually attempts to escape using a sidewinding motion.
Prey
Feeds almost exclusively on lizards, mice and arthropods.
Species Map
Small (Approx 20k) version
 
Venom
General: Venom Neurotoxins
Possibly present
General: Venom Myotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Procoagulants
Possibly present
General: Venom Anticoagulants
Probably not present
General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Probably not present
General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Necrotoxins
Probably not present
General: Venom Other
Unknown
 
Clinical Effects
General: Dangerousness
Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal
General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown
General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but has caused deaths
General: Local Effects
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but possibly moderate to marked local effects; pain, severe swelling, bruising, blistering, necrosis
General: Local Necrosis
Potentially may occur
General: General Systemic Effects
Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions
General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
Mild to Moderate neurotoxic effects may occur.
General: Myotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
General: Renal Damage
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
General: Cardiotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
General: Other
Insufficient clinical reports to know
 
First Aid
Description: First aid for bites by Viperid snakes likely to cause significant local injury at the bite site (see listing in Comments section).
Details
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment.
2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged.
3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops.
4. The bitten limb should be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling; if available, crepe bandaging of the splinted limb is an effective form of immobilisation.
5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention.
6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock.
7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration.
8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites.
9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.
 
Treatment
Treatment Summary
Little clinical data, but can probably cause major local & systemic effects, so require urgent assessment. No antivenom available. Symptomatic & supportive treatment.
Key Diagnostic Features
Local pain, swelling, blistering, necrosis ± flaccid paralysis
General Approach to Management
All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases.
Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
Antivenoms
No Antivenoms
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