A venomous snake may not inject venom when biting. This may be a means of conserving venom or a failure to coordinate an attack.
Clinical features:
(1) snakebite by a venomous snake
(2) absence of local and systemic evidence of envenomation during an adequate observation period
Hazards:
(1) delayed onset of symptoms AND early discharge
(2) tetanus
(3) local infection
Exclusions:
(1) bite by a nonvenomous species
(2) other penetrating injury
Antivenom may be used if the risk to the patient is considered high. However, antivenom is expensive and it works only for the venom against which it was developed.
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