Tiger/Multi-Brown Snake Antivenom >4050IU

Each vial contains

Not less than 4050 units BROWN SNAKE ANTIVENOM (combined Pseudonaja textilis, Pseudonaja nuchalis and Pseudonaja affinis). Not less than 4050 units TIGER SNAKE ANTIVENOM (Notechis scutatus). 2.2 mg/ml PHENOL added as a preservative.

Click here to download Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) .

The Product

Summerland Serums’ Tiger/Multi-Brown Snake Antivenom is used to treat animals that are suffering from the neurotoxic effects of envenomation by either the Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) or one of the three species of Brown Snake most commonly found in Australia – the Common Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis), the Western Brown Snake (P nuchalis) and the Dugite (P affinis).

The antivenom will also neutralise the effects of Black Snakes (Pseudechis species) including the Mulga or King Brown Snake (Pseudechis australis) and the Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus), as well as the Copperhead Snake (Austrelaps superbus), the Rough Scaled or Clarence River Snake (Tropidechis carinatus), the Small-Eyed Snake (Crytophis nigresens), and the Whip Snake (Demansia species), and the Tasmanian and Chappell Island Black Tiger Snakes (Notechis ater).

This antivenom is prepared from hyperimmune horses and is standardised to a high antivenom titre (expressed in antivenom units) to ensure a satisfactory clinical response.

These horses have been selected as they possess a specific genetic predisposition to the production of snake antivenom not only high in anti toxin titre units but also in prothrombin activator levels which have been shown to cause significant difficulties in the treatment of snake bite (Spivulis et al.,1996; Tibbals et al., p1992).

High prothrombin levels are vital as it has been shown that unrelenting coagulopathy due to the slow reversal of the prothrombin activator presents the added risk of cerebral haemorrhage to the victim (Sutherland, 1995).

Summerland Serums antivenom undergoes both a manual and chemical purification process that is unique to this product in Australia. This process has a twofold effect of firstly concentrating the Immuno Gamma Globulin component of the protein in the serum that carries the snake anti toxin and prothrombin activator, whilst secondly removing Albumin, Alpha 1, Alpha 2, and some of the Beta component which can lead to anaphylaxis.

This therefore makes the product both more potent and safe to use in the treatment of snake envenomation of animals in Australia.

Net Contents

The volume of the contents is stated on the label.

It will vary from batch to batch depending on antivenom titre, and is adjusted to ensure that each vial contains not less than the stated units of antivenom.

Directions For Use

For use only by or under supervision of a registered veterinary surgeon.

Precautions

For optimum use the IV route must be used. Absorption from the SC or IM route is too slow for an efficient response.

For safety against anaphylactic reactions it is best to give the dose in diluted form (dilution 1 in 10 in saline solution is recommended) over a 30 minute period, as well as having adrenaline, antihistamine and steroids on hand to treat any reactions if they occur. An appropriate dose of non-sedating antihistamine should be given before infusion and a small prophylactic SC dose of adrenaline is also advisable.

Dosage – Administration

Single use vial only.
Use contents within 60 minutes of broaching seal.

The amount of antivenom required depends on the likely amount of venom injected. This in turn will depend on a number of factors such as the number of strikes and their effectiveness, the size of the snake and fullness of the venom glands. The amount of antivenom given will rely on the clinical judgement of the physician carrying out the treatment. The response will depend on the time taken between envenomation and administration of the antivenom. Delayed treatment results in a much slower response and can allow rapid damage to the body systems with symptoms only being slowly negated.

An initial dose of 4050 units of Tiger Snake Antivenom (ie the contents of this vial) is recommended for all snakes other than Brown Snake. Where a Brown Snake has been positively identified, an initial dose equivalent to 1000 units of Brown Snake antivenom may be sufficient. Further doses should be given if required.

The animal should be kept warm in a dark, quiet environment. If comatose, the patient should be intubated to assist in breathing and the maintenance of a clear airway. IV fluid therapy should be initiated as soon as possible to assist renal function in removing toxins and damaged red blood cells. Antivenom can be given in this diluted state which improves the safety of the product against anaphylactic-like reactions. This can be given over a 30 minute period.

Symptoms Of Snake Bite Poisoning

Animals may present a wide difference of clinical signs. Suddenness of onset can depend on bite location, size of snake and amount of envenomation. Clinical signs commonly observed include: muscular weakness, ataxia or flaccid paralysis, dilated pupils, respiratory distress, trembling, salivation and vomiting, slower blood clotting time, haemolysis and haemoglobinuria.

Withholding Periods

Zero (0) days.

First Aid Instructions

If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre.
Phone: Australia 131 126

Disposal

Dispose of vial by wrapping with paper and putting in garbage.

Storage

Store between 4°C–8°C. Refrigerate. Protect from light. Do not freeze.
When standing for long periods some precipitation of proteins can occur. This does not markedly affect the potency of the product.