What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Bothrops Lanceolatus Snake Bite
• Martinican Pitviper Snake Bite
• Yellow Martinico Snake Bite

What is Martinique Lancehead Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Martinique lancehead (Bothrops lanceolatus) is a highly-venomous snake that ranges in size from 3.5 feet to sometimes nearly 10 feet in length. The snake belongs to the subspecies of pit vipers, family Viperidae. Pit vipers are termed so, due to the presence of certain heat-sensing organs located in a recess/notch between their eyes and nostrils
• This reptile is found at elevations of up to about 4,300 feet (1,300 m) in the tropical and wet forests and on rocky hillsides in Martinique, a Caribbean island that is part of the Lesser Antilles. The snake is not observed anywhere else. It is a nocturnal snake that hunts at night, preying mainly on small mammals (rodents), frogs, and birds. The snake is also known to climb small trees and vines
• The Martinique lancehead snake has a medium to heavy sized body. The head of the snake is broad and shaped like a lance (spear) and distinct from its neck. Its body color varies from gray, brown, to yellow-tan, usually with darker markings; the top of the snake’s head is usually darker than the body. The snake’s underside is usually lighter (gray-yellow to gray-brown) with small dark grayish blotches in some specimens
• Martinique Lancehead Snake Bites involving humans are uncommon, although the snake is generally aggressive and will strike when threatened. Even though infrequent, a bite from a fully-grown snake has the potential to result in severe envenomation (venom injection) with significant symptoms, in the absence of adequate treatment. The rate of envenomation is high at over 80%
• In general, the signs and symptoms of Martinique Lancehead Snake Bite may include pain at the bite site and local swelling with bruising, blistering, and tissue necrosis. In case of systemic symptoms, the bite can result in headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, and collapse. The snake venom is a potent mix of hemotoxins and can cause thrombosis, hypovolemic shock, and renal failure
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include the use of pain medication, wound care, blood transfusion, and breathing support, if needed. The prognosis of Martinique Lancehead Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good; although, between 10-20% of all untreated bites are known to be fatal