Pseudocerastes fieldi bite

[kfc223]

yes BV you are absolutely correct. my tweezers are 55cm long, so its not the length of the tweezers that was the issue. i have setup to blame and so i have re set her tank from a sliding door set up to a roof opening setup to spot her instantly, shallow bowls are placed at her favourite hiding spots so that i can put her food into these and she can find it easily. The reason i fed her with tweezers was to prevent ingestion of substrate. Now with the bowl set up she should still be substrate ingestion free.

Well I'm glad that it was not a serious envenomation and even more glad that you learned from this incident

[ROBBO]

excuse my ignorance - what is the synonym name for the fieldi

[Chopper 1]

No disrespect to anyone but what experience does Johan Marais have in snakebite (not talking about the new stuff he is busy on, but from past experince)? Surely Arno would be the first guy to contact and then Mike Perry?? Just an honest question no digging..

Interesting reading though - nice story!!

[gino]

Why would you say so? Has arno written any books on snake bite etc. ? No disrespect, just a question?

[Chopper 1]

Why would you say so? Has arno written any books on snake bite etc. ? No disrespect, just a question?

Got nothing to do with writing books - Johan has put a few excellent books together on snakes But has very little first hand experiance in snake bite unlike Arno has Writing a snake book does not make one an expert in snake bite and the correct methods etc... Easy to get case reports and put a book together but will that save your life?

I will take the most experienced person first and if they are not available then work my way down the call list.....

[Bushviper]

Gino I guess being appointed a lecturer at Pretoria University specifically to lecture doctors on snake bite probably does mean something.

Anyone can write a book. It's not like a book is peer reviewed or supervised. Even Hoser writes books.

If you want to follow the person you feel the most comfortable with that fine by me. I honestly could not care as it is not as if I make money out of it.

[gino]

Suppose you rite. Just never heard of Arno before. I know he sells snakes at the expo
I would have called someone who deals a lot with this kind of thing and who is well known for it. That's just me

[Chopper 1]

Suppose you rite. Just never heard of Arno before. I know he sells snakes at the expo
I would have called someone who deals a lot with this kind of thing and who is well known for it. That's just me

Sorry obviously not any Arno But meant Bushviper Arno

[Bushviper]

Chopper 1 it is fine. Gino forgets he told me who supplied him with illegal cataphractus lizards and other indiscretions. He knows exactly who I am and that I have all correspondence backed up. I dont happen to co-own this website for nothing. I guess he thinks you become a lecturer at the medical school of a University based on how many books you have written.

There is nothing wrong with phoning whoever you feel comfortable with. I have no beef with Johan. We chat often enough. He has spoken to me for advice/opinions and I also phone him. It is not a competition.

[Chopper 1]

Chopper 1 it is fine. Gino forgets he told me who supplied him with illegal cataphractus lizards and other indiscretions. He knows exactly who I am and that I have all correspondence backed up. I dont happen to co-own this website for nothing. I guess he thinks you become a lecturer at the medical school of a University based on how many books you have written.

There is nothing wrong with phoning whoever you feel comfortable with. I have no beef with Johan. We chat often enough. He has spoken to me for advice/opinions and I also phone him. It is not a competition.

Just trying to clear up a misconception that people seem to have that if you publish a book then you must be an expert on all realted subjects! Believe you me the moment myself or any family/friend gets tagged i will call the person who has had the most practical first hand experience with regards to snake bites Johan is not even on my list for that kind of thing, BUT if i needed other info on like where to find a certain species of reptile then he would be the first one on my list as that is what he does most of his time

[Bushbaby]

This was a great post until this little debate started. Let's keep the post civil and back to the bite.

Suppose you rite. Just never heard of Arno before. I know he sells snakes at the expo
I would have called someone who deals a lot with this kind of thing and who is well known for it. That's just me

BTW... you do know exactly who Arno is since you were in our house chatting to him.

[gino]

Just didnt know he was that into snakes. Sorry. I thought he sold snakes at the expo. Didn't know he was actively involved
Learn something new every day

[Bushviper]

Actually this year was the first year that I sold snakes at the expo. I actually arrange expos, from the first one ever held in Africa to the biggest one ever held, all the way through to the latest one. Johan actually attends these and sells stuff there.

Chairman of the biggest and oldest amateur herpetological society for a total of 10 years with two breaks in between, wrote the quarantine requirements for the import of reptiles into South Africa and open the way for legal importation of exotic reptiles, consultant to numerous hospitals regarding snake bite, on the board of directors of a company specialising in medical assistance for snake bite victims. Vice Chairman of the SA Pet Traders association and acknowledged as a reptile specialist by the National Department of Environmental affairs as well as the contact person Gauteng Nature Conservation have when any reptile legislation is being discussed. I had my own TV show for a while as well where reptiles were the main theme along with other exotic animals (which has had 5 re-runs). I own the largest collection of snakes in Gauteng. Presented the first recognised snake bite and handling course in South Africa before everyone jumped on the band wagon, I am the only person who is presenting a Reptile husbandry course that is recognised. My snake bite course is the only one where you get 15 CPD points from the Health Professions Council of SA which is the highest authority in this field. Most of the other courses do not actually have much value.

I could say I was fairly actively involved.

Yeah I guess I am an amateur until I own a bookshop and write a book or two. Just because you have the same name it does not mean you can ride on his coat tails.

[gino]

Well done man great CV. You see I didn't know all of that about you

[MrG]

Gino wrote:

Johan is my uncle im Eugene

One can see why you are on your heels here gene. When one read through your old post it is interesting to see how you reacted on some of Arno comments in the past. Downtalking someone though that have made huge differences in the reptile world in SA to fend for uncle Johan makes you looks stupid. I think you are making your name a bit "gat" here.