GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Venomous snake bites are rare in Michigan, but they still can happen. That’s why John Ball Zoo hosted interns from Corewell Health’s emergency department for Venom Day.
Inside the reptile house, with snakes and lizards looking on, doctors participated in different bite simulations.
The training used mannequins and real people to recreate symptoms of a bite victim.
Tessa Dugas, reptile curator for John Ball Zoo, says, “People need actual practice to know how to treat the victims and to actually interact with the victims because they're going to be very scared and nervous and in a lot of pain.”
Dr. Brian Lewis, medical toxicologist for Corewell Health, adds, “The real trick is determining whether that snake bite did deliver venom and if you're getting some sort of damage to the tissue, in your hand or foot or if you're having issues with your blood.“
This joint training between the zoo and the hospital is unique. They say John Ball Zoo is the only zoo in the country to do this. The doctors say learning hands-on at the zoo is a great experience for everyone.
Dr. Lewis says, “It’s great to involve our zoo staff where they work with venomous creatures and get their expertise on it and then have our residents actually be able to see the animals that they might have to be able to identify and then treat afterwards. So, it's a good educational opportunity for both our emergency medicine, training doctors and the zoo staff.“
Most venomous bites in Michigan come from animals in captivity because our state only has one venomous snake in the wild.
Tessa says, “Our venomous species in Michigan is the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. And it's a snake that is endangered and not doing all that well.”
Even though venom cases are rare, they do still happen.
“The last time we did this event many years ago, two weeks later, a local man got bit by his pet eyelash viper. And our local toxicologist and departments knew what they were doing and felt very confident and comfortable managing his case, “ said Tessa.
The lessons learned Thursday not only left these doctors with valuable information but what they were taught will never be forgotten.
Dr. Lewis concludes, “It’s a lot of fun and, yes, definitely more memorable when you can actually see the snake.”
Doctors and zoo staff say if you think you were bitten by something venomous, do not treat the wound yourself; seek medical treatment immediately.
