worked very well.
3.5 weeks
iH: So are you back to normal now?
KX: After that, I just got better and
better. My thumb was black, but
there really wasn’t much necrosis. It
took a while to get back to normal;
it was swollen and I couldn’t bend it
for some time. It’s still not 100%
now, almost three months later. I
have regained full motion, but it’s
still a bit tingly.
iH: Have you had any follow-up
medical attention?
KX: I had to go to a plastic surgeon
about four or five days after they
cut the blisters off, but he was
happy with the way things were
progressing. I’ve been to a doctor a
couple of times to check my CK
levels, which returned to normal
after about three or four weeks.
iH: Thinking about this whole
episode, what would you give
yourself a tick for?
KX: My pressure immobilisation
technique, and also for staying calm
throughout.
iH: And what could you have done
better, on reflection?
KX: In the first place, I neglected
some of my own safety rules in this
instance. Then I started walking
around too much – I was too
mobile.
iH: Finally, do you have any advice
for other keepers? What is the take
out from this experience?
KX: Don’t become complacent! I
have a large collection; I also catch
and relocate snakes and I am
handling snakes every day. It’s easy
to become a little complacent, and
you need to guard against this and
keep safety procedures in place;
these should be reviewed every so
often to make sure you’re doing the
right thing. Other than that, if you
do get bitten, it’s very important to
get to hospital as soon as possible.
1 month