Sydney funnel web

[NewGriot]

Handling

Hey...i don`t mean handle with fingers....I mean to set her up in another tank or things like that...I would NEVER touch a spider like this with bare hands!!!

 

[Haplopelmatic]

A good link about Atrax robustus
http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/animal/atrax.htm

And as for ALL highly venomous arachnids (or snakes) no newbies should ever keep them. Wait another 10-15 years or so.

/Lelle

*Lelle* That's an ok link. Actually it's one of the best I've seen on Atrax, but i still don't think it's detailed enough. It would great with some info on specific binding sites for the different toxins, affinity for the receptors and so on. Way too many toxin-sites are focused on "what-to-do-if-a-layman-get's-bit" and have very little info of interest for the serious keeper.

/Cheers!

 

[Crotalus]

A keeper, if he/she gets bitten, are more intrested in how the venom works in general and what do do if it happens. More complex articles are out there but you need to have access to a university library to get them. I know a toxinologist is about to work with australian hexathelids so I guess there will be some more work accessable out there in a near future that have details about the venom.

/Lelle

 

[Rob1985]

I retract my comment about owning one. I think I will eventually get one, but probably not for a while. I wanna tackle the T's first before I get into true spiders :} BTW there is a an anit-venom available in my area for sure. I am a medic and when I was in to ER the other day I asked. Believe it or not they actually stock in the hospital. Apparently it is kept as pets more often than I thought. The thing that sucks once you have had the anti-venom you can't get it again. Although sometimes your body build up tolerences to thing, but I am pretty sure we wouldn't fore htis guy. As far as them being ugly I think they look scary,creepy and awesome all at once!!!

 

[Haplopelmatic]

A keeper, if he/she gets bitten, are more intrested in how the venom works in general and what do do if it happens.

/Lelle

True, but a serious keeper, with a more complex knowledge of the mechanisms of the particular toxins, will be better equipped in dealing with a potential bite-scenario. In stead of responding to the signs of envenomation with "consulting your local doctor" or "administer antivenin" (which in our part of the world is futile) he or she will be capable of self-treatment to a much larger extent. By knowing the pharmacology of the venom he/she can asses the situatation and self-administer the apropriate remedies (GABA-release-inhibitors, opiates e.i.) Not saying that you can get by on your own, but a little goes a long way on this topic.

It sounds really interesting with the forthcoming article. If any of you have knowledge of existing papers also discussing the venom of varoius arachnids or herps, I'd be truely happy to know. Either here or by pm. I have UTFSE a number of times, but i can't seem to find anything decent.

/Cheers!

 

[Rob1985]

As a paramedic the first thing I would do is either call the medics or get to the hospital first. This spider is nothing to mess around with. Trying to wait time and treat yourself is one of the worst things to do . I hope you know what the syptoms of this spider is cause trying treat it yourself you will be ina world of hurt. Pretty much anti-venom and a steroids are the only thing that will get you back to your normal self. :?

 

[Haplopelmatic]

Pretty much anti-venom and a steroids are the only thing that will get you back to your normal self. :?

Steroids?? I'd like to see a reference for that one?

When talking about self-treatment i was referring to medically significant species in general and not just genus Atrax. It's obvious that in most cases you wouldn't be able to treat a bite from a funnel-web by yourself, but by knowing the venom you can perfor a certain extent of damage- and pain-minimization. Furthermore, the confidence of knowing exactly what is happening to your body, will give you the psychological upper hand in the unfortunate situation. When referring to other geni e.i. Latrodectus, Tegenaria or even some buthids it should be possible conducting an entire treatment by yourself. In any case, beeing a keeper of medically significant species in our part of the world (Western Europe), there's not much the authorities can do anyway.

I'm sorry for the confusion. I should've expressed myself more clearly in my earlier post.

/Cheers!

 

[Rob1985]

Thats not a problem. I was saying never take a chance with a venomous spider no matter what. I just beleive if you get bite by something nasty you should take yourself to hospital. And yes steroids would proably be needed for a spider with venom as potent as this. The reason is when bitten by a spider with venom that is a neurotoxin it causes contractures, which causes your muscles to contract inward toward your body, the only way your gonna get your bodies natural defensive mechanism to realease is by steroids. Steroids are used for many things. They also help your body fight off many things including disease, biotics, infections and many others. Thanks

 

[Haplopelmatic]

I would still like to see a reference?

 

[Lasiodora]

I retract my comment about owning one. I think I will eventually get one, but probably not for a while. I wanna tackle the T's first before I get into true spiders :} BTW there is a an anit-venom available in my area for sure. I am a medic and when I was in to ER the other day I asked. Believe it or not they actually stock in the hospital. Apparently it is kept as pets more often than I thought. The thing that sucks once you have had the anti-venom you can't get it again. Although sometimes your body build up tolerences to thing, but I am pretty sure we wouldn't fore htis guy. As far as them being ugly I think they look scary,creepy and awesome all at once!!!

Rob,
Are talking about Atrax robustus? If you are, I'd double check to see if it actually is A.robustus anti-venom. There are very few institutions in the States that even keep Atrax (maybe 1 or 2). I doubt that many peope are keeping them privately. Remember, you can't legally export them. I am well aware of the fact that they can be smuggled in but I doubt they are here in high numbers, if any.
Mike

 

[Crotalus]

There are a effective serum against australian hexathelids, according to the site steroid treatment may be used in case of allergy toward the serum.

Haplo, you dont get the knowledge on how to prevent a venom by spreading faster by study how robustoxin works in detail. The procedures are pretty much the same as for a serious elapidbite.
And exact what do you wanna know that you dont find on that page?

Heres a page with info on different venom types:
http://www.venomdoc.com/spider_neurotoxins.html

/Lelle

 

[Haplopelmatic]

Haplo, you dont get the knowledge on how to prevent a venom by spreading faster by study how robustoxin works in detail.

I'm well aware of that. I was referring to that if you know the pathways of the venom, pain reduction can be performed on yourself on a much safer foundation in the event of a bite. I'm sorry if I didn't make that part clear eralier on, but my English is sometimes quite insufficient.

And the last link was exactly what i was looking for = specific activity on a molecular level. Thanks!

/Cheers!

 

[Ythier]

Hey...i don`t mean handle with fingers....I mean to set her up in another tank or things like that...I would NEVER touch a spider like this with bare hands!!!

oh ok...I'm sorry

 

[edesign]

Steroids are used for many things. They also help your body fight off many things including disease, biotics, infections and many others. Thanks

i had to take some anti-inflammatory steroids for my strep throat about 3 weeks ago so I can attest to that. Perhaps the decision to administer a steroid for a bite as severe as this is a doctor's choice and not necessarily a requirement. But even then I would think there would be a mention of it somewhere...might have something to look for tonight

 

[Crotalus]

But even then I would think there would be a mention of it somewhere...might have something to look for tonight

If you read my reply i pointed out they mention it on the Atrax site I posted a link about. But not along with serum, its only used when the bitten are allergic to the serum (which are made from horse blood usually)

/Lelle

 

[Rob1985]

I had some continuing education today at the hospital and I asked the doc and he told me he would do the exact same thing. It depends on the type of spider that bit you. The most common up here are Wolf, Brown Recluse and Black Widow. He said for something of that magnetude he said he might give a steroid after the anti-venom is given to get the bodies adrenaline going to help fight off the venom. He said the most common he gives it for is the brown recluse which as everyone knows it eats away at your skin. He said he has only had one case of the atrax rubustus and that 3 1/2 yrs. ago and he gave the anti-venom which is at Loyola Medical Center in Chicago. They didn't understand what anti-venom I was asking about that is why they said they havve it. My hospital stocks anti-venom for the brown recluse and the black widow scrops. and stuff like that.

 

[Crotalus]

Adrenaline is something you DONT wanna have going on full blast in the body. That helps the venom to spread. What you wanna do is try to be as calm as you possible can. The only thing adrenaline is good for when it comes to bites is if you suffer a anaphylactic chock (after a snake bite) then you can reverse it by injecting adrenaline yourself by using a Epipen injector.

/Lelle

 

[Scarlet Spider]

funnels

I wonder where in the u.s you would get one even if you were coocoo and wanted one. I know in aussie you can find them on your back porch and stuff (on sydney anyway).

 

[arachnojunkie]

it's not a case of if u get bitten it's when u get bitten

If you never put yourself in a position to be bitten, and you are a responsible keeper(secure housing) the chances of you being bitten are slim to none. I am not saying that someone can't get bitten because they very easily could, but to say that everyone as whole will someday be bitten by their venomous animals is outrageous. On the other hand, I am proud of your decision because obviously you think that sooner or later you will be bitten, and you made the right choice. Please remember that highly venomous animals should only be kept by experienced, responsible, liable keepers. There are no acceptions because lives are literally on the line. If 10 years ago I had some of the animals I have today I wouldn't be here to type this. Great Decision BTW

Matt :worship:

 

[Palawanbeetle]

i never got a clear message from this post are they legal in australia or not?