Emergency!!!! - Stung By Rabbitfish

reefallen · 06/29/2007, 07:02 PM

Emergency!!!! - Venom From Rabbitfish
Not sure whom to get info from, but my husband was "stung" by our Foxface Rabbitfish. I've already talked to the family dr and Poison Control..... Not much info available.

I arrived home and he was SOUND asleep and difficult to wake up. He had altered mental status and didn't remember (still doesn't) laying down.

His mental status is better but he is slow to think of words and has over a 2 hr period that he doesn't remember at all! He has at least 3 puncture marks on his arm and the skin underneath is a little hard. He said that the wound is much better now.

He of course does not want to go to the hospital ER, because now he's "fine". He does have an autonomic nervous system disorder which may be playing into this.

ADVICE PLEASE!!!!

__________________

AquaReeferMan · 06/29/2007, 07:13 PM

Go to the ER!!! Better safe than sorry.

reefallen · 06/29/2007, 07:18 PM

As the wife, I totally agree!! However, my stubborn hubby begs to differ!!! The poison control just called to check on him...

Any advice for a DH??!!! We have a daughter and I tried the whole, you don't want to die and leave her without a dad thing to no avail.

I guess that's why I posted on RC to see if I could get any hard facts to throw in his face and "help" him to get to ER.

NanoGurl · 06/29/2007, 07:26 PM

Goto the ER. Normally they will not cause problems, but he's obviously having some reaction if it's that bad. A bee sting won't kill you if it does not affect you. But if you are allergic to them, one sting could kill.

GOTO the ER and have him monitored. There is no info on RC that's going to help you other then this. He got stung, has had a bad reaction that's serious, GOTO THE ER!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope your family is okay and he's going to be okay!!!

TarheelFrag · 06/29/2007, 07:26 PM

Make sure your insurance premium is paid up.........

mwwhite · 06/29/2007, 07:31 PM

hope they are on their way to get him checked out....

sonic1634 · 06/29/2007, 07:45 PM

well new to this not sure what to tell you other than good luck and ill pray (hope that dosent offend you or anyone else)

kmf507 · 06/29/2007, 07:49 PM

Why would you not take him to the ER with those symptoms? He's too stubborn, call an ambulance...

ahullsb · 06/29/2007, 08:49 PM

I agree with the rest of you. It is easy to assume that there won't be a problem, but I'm not sure how many people get stung by a rabbit fish each year to make that assumption!...Plus you NEVER know what reaction he may be having that may be different from the norm. Medications he may be taking that you aren't thinking of, etc. It's probably o.k but I really wouldn't risk it. Blacking out and having trouble speaking and moving is nothing to be taken lightly! I hope the best for you!

dc_909 · 06/29/2007, 09:18 PM

I was stung by one a while back, but it only made the area a bit tingly, so it just sounds like he is having a worse reaction.

Icefire · 06/29/2007, 09:22 PM

If the familly doctor said nothing...

I would go to clean the wound, but here ER is free here, with 8-12 hours of waiting.

Sk8r · 06/29/2007, 09:35 PM

Try providing him an image of what the ER will do, like give him either a shot of Medrol or a dosepack of Medrol. It's a lot like a fiddleback bite, and can cause tissue necrosis [blackening and dying of tissue in an area. I've seen a guy with a thumb that looked like advanced frostbite, totally black. Tell him [on the analogy with fiddlebacks] that skin grafts are no fun, and the longer he delays this the harder it's going to be to treat. If you have a GP you can call, you may be able to get him a dosepack from the pharmacy if you absolutely can't get him to go. I'm going to google up the type of venom, and see if I can get some answer for you.

MediaHound · 06/29/2007, 09:37 PM

Keep some smelling salts in the home for next time just in case.
A defibrillator is also wise...

Try to squeeze any poison out of the wound, if the atrophy or pain isn't stopping you...

Milk might be wise too, might not hurt to see if that soothes it

You really should go to the ER though... take a stand and throw him in the car

TIMMYE · 06/29/2007, 09:41 PM

Any news ons this?? Did he go? Is he alright? I hope so....

woz9683 · 06/29/2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

well new to this not sure what to tell you other than good luck and ill pray (hope that dosent offend you or anyone else)

You should never have to apologize for something like that. Whether that is inline with this person's beliefs or anyone else's beliefs who happens to post here. No one should take offense to your good intentions (whether religious or otherwise) when the bottom line is you are expressing a genuine concern for someone else's troubles and are doing something you think could be of help to them.

That said, reefallen, I hope you have been to or are at the ER or doctor, as it sounds like a pretty serious reaction to a sting.

Sk8r · 06/29/2007, 09:54 PM

sovereign remedy for marine stings is hot water. HOWEVER: no article I could locate identifies the exact toxin or classifies it...it is said to be less painful than a lionfish, worse than a catfish, at least in pain: catfish toxin is really bad stuff. SECOND HOWEVER: if you have an allergic reaction to a marine toxin, all bets are off about the severity of the reaction, and a doctor should be involved asap.

Shekki · 06/29/2007, 10:01 PM

I think you have to pee on him.

wheresalbany · 06/29/2007, 10:09 PM

If you have any Bendryl lying around, give him some of that. If it truly is an allergic rxn, that'll help block it somewhat. Whenever someone comes into the pharmacy with an allergic rxn to something, its Benadryl for them. Good luck!

dwd5813 · 06/29/2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kmf507
Why would you not take him to the ER with those symptoms? He's too stubborn, call an ambulance...

that was the best reply i saw and exactly the approach i suggest
i hope all turns out well

30reef · 06/29/2007, 10:51 PM

To see a doctor in the ER, you might have to shoot him first as a gunshot wound would get a higher priority. The wait in an ER is horrible.

I'd get him there ASAP.

My wife's med books say to immobilize and soak affected area in nonscalding hot water and get medical attention ASAP.

petoonia · 06/29/2007, 10:59 PM

If he wont go to the ER see if you have a 24 hour urgent care in your area. It's more like a regular doctor visit, and usually alot faster. Good luck, I hope everything is ok!!!!

SeaMac2 · 06/29/2007, 11:01 PM

If you came in by ambulance or even walked into most ERs (read: even large, urban academic centers and county hospitals) having an allergic/anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reaction, they would not make you wait in the waiting room. Even if they were "full" they would likely pull up a chair or stretcher to get you started...IV steroids, diphenhydramine, and probably famotidine/ranitidine, etc... and they would want to keep a close eye on you.

Hope that you are doing better.

turnburn · 06/29/2007, 11:11 PM

I have to concur, take him to the ER! Whether he wants to go or not. Better safe than sorry.

aiv · 06/30/2007, 12:02 AM

reefallen, i hope everything turns out ok and your husband is back to 100% SOON. i find it utterly wierd that this post of how do I save my husband's life is right next to what do I feed my tangs... it puts things into perspective.

God bless.

30reef · 06/30/2007, 01:08 AM

Yep, it really puts things in perspective.

I don't think the venom from a rabbitfish is any more toxic than from a honeybee's, unless you're body has a reaction to it and one goes into anaphylactic shock. This is similar to the threads we read here about a small cut on your hand turning into a life threatening infection after cleaning the tank.

06/29/2007, 07:02 PM	#1
reefallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 174	Emergency!!!! - Stung By Rabbitfish Emergency!!!! - Venom From Rabbitfish Not sure whom to get info from, but my husband was "stung" by our Foxface Rabbitfish. I've already talked to the family dr and Poison Control..... Not much info available. I arrived home and he was SOUND asleep and difficult to wake up. He had altered mental status and didn't remember (still doesn't) laying down. His mental status is better but he is slow to think of words and has over a 2 hr period that he doesn't remember at all! He has at least 3 puncture marks on his arm and the skin underneath is a little hard. He said that the wound is much better now. He of course does not want to go to the hospital ER, because now he's "fine". He does have an autonomic nervous system disorder which may be playing into this. ADVICE PLEASE!!!! __________________ __________________ Todd at ReefAllen Current Tank Info: 75g fish only; 210 g reef; Euro250 x 2; chiller; 250MH x 5

06/29/2007, 07:13 PM	#2
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	Go to the ER!!! Better safe than sorry. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

06/29/2007, 07:18 PM	#3
reefallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 174	As the wife, I totally agree!! However, my stubborn hubby begs to differ!!! The poison control just called to check on him... Any advice for a DH??!!! We have a daughter and I tried the whole, you don't want to die and leave her without a dad thing to no avail. I guess that's why I posted on RC to see if I could get any hard facts to throw in his face and "help" him to get to ER. __________________ Todd at ReefAllen Current Tank Info: 75g fish only; 210 g reef; Euro250 x 2; chiller; 250MH x 5

06/29/2007, 07:26 PM	#5
TarheelFrag Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NC Posts: 215	Make sure your insurance premium is paid up......... __________________ “Give me your tired, your poor, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me— Current Tank Info: 75g, 2x175w mh, 4x65w pc

06/29/2007, 08:49 PM	#9
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I agree with the rest of you. It is easy to assume that there won't be a problem, but I'm not sure how many people get stung by a rabbit fish each year to make that assumption!...Plus you NEVER know what reaction he may be having that may be different from the norm. Medications he may be taking that you aren't thinking of, etc. It's probably o.k but I really wouldn't risk it. Blacking out and having trouble speaking and moving is nothing to be taken lightly! I hope the best for you! __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

06/29/2007, 07:26 PM	#4
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	Goto the ER. Normally they will not cause problems, but he's obviously having some reaction if it's that bad. A bee sting won't kill you if it does not affect you. But if you are allergic to them, one sting could kill. GOTO the ER and have him monitored. There is no info on RC that's going to help you other then this. He got stung, has had a bad reaction that's serious, GOTO THE ER!!!!!!!!!!! I hope your family is okay and he's going to be okay!!!

06/29/2007, 07:31 PM	#6
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	hope they are on their way to get him checked out....

06/29/2007, 07:45 PM	#7
sonic1634 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 121	well new to this not sure what to tell you other than good luck and ill pray (hope that dosent offend you or anyone else)

06/29/2007, 07:49 PM	#8
kmf507 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 669	Why would you not take him to the ER with those symptoms? He's too stubborn, call an ambulance...

06/29/2007, 09:18 PM	#10
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	I was stung by one a while back, but it only made the area a bit tingly, so it just sounds like he is having a worse reaction.

06/29/2007, 09:22 PM	#11
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	If the familly doctor said nothing... I would go to clean the wound, but here ER is free here, with 8-12 hours of waiting. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

06/29/2007, 09:35 PM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Try providing him an image of what the ER will do, like give him either a shot of Medrol or a dosepack of Medrol. It's a lot like a fiddleback bite, and can cause tissue necrosis [blackening and dying of tissue in an area. I've seen a guy with a thumb that looked like advanced frostbite, totally black. Tell him [on the analogy with fiddlebacks] that skin grafts are no fun, and the longer he delays this the harder it's going to be to treat. If you have a GP you can call, you may be able to get him a dosepack from the pharmacy if you absolutely can't get him to go. I'm going to google up the type of venom, and see if I can get some answer for you. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/29/2007, 09:37 PM	#13
MediaHound Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 124	Keep some smelling salts in the home for next time just in case. A defibrillator is also wise... Try to squeeze any poison out of the wound, if the atrophy or pain isn't stopping you... Milk might be wise too, might not hurt to see if that soothes it You really should go to the ER though... take a stand and throw him in the car

06/29/2007, 09:41 PM	#14
TIMMYE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Central Wisconsin Posts: 857	Any news ons this?? Did he go? Is he alright? I hope so.... __________________ Honey, can I have a bigger one please? This is the last time I will upsize, I promise!

06/29/2007, 09:54 PM	#16
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	sovereign remedy for marine stings is hot water. HOWEVER: no article I could locate identifies the exact toxin or classifies it...it is said to be less painful than a lionfish, worse than a catfish, at least in pain: catfish toxin is really bad stuff. SECOND HOWEVER: if you have an allergic reaction to a marine toxin, all bets are off about the severity of the reaction, and a doctor should be involved asap. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/29/2007, 10:01 PM	#17
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	I think you have to pee on him. __________________ Elos mini reef Current Tank Info: Elos mini, reefkeeper 2, Vortech MP20, ice cap moonlight, Reef Fanatic ATO

06/29/2007, 10:09 PM	#18
wheresalbany Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 17	If you have any Bendryl lying around, give him some of that. If it truly is an allergic rxn, that'll help block it somewhat. Whenever someone comes into the pharmacy with an allergic rxn to something, its Benadryl for them. Good luck! __________________ way too many fish Current Tank Info: 125 nightmare reef

06/29/2007, 10:51 PM	#20
30reef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,401	To see a doctor in the ER, you might have to shoot him first as a gunshot wound would get a higher priority. The wait in an ER is horrible. I'd get him there ASAP. My wife's med books say to immobilize and soak affected area in nonscalding hot water and get medical attention ASAP.

06/29/2007, 10:59 PM	#21
petoonia HereWeGoAgain... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,648	If he wont go to the ER see if you have a 24 hour urgent care in your area. It's more like a regular doctor visit, and usually alot faster. Good luck, I hope everything is ok!!!! __________________ I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef

06/29/2007, 11:01 PM	#22
SeaMac2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 306	If you came in by ambulance or even walked into most ERs (read: even large, urban academic centers and county hospitals) having an allergic/anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reaction, they would not make you wait in the waiting room. Even if they were "full" they would likely pull up a chair or stretcher to get you started...IV steroids, diphenhydramine, and probably famotidine/ranitidine, etc... and they would want to keep a close eye on you. Hope that you are doing better.

06/29/2007, 11:11 PM	#23
turnburn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newberg, Oregon, USA Posts: 75	I have to concur, take him to the ER! Whether he wants to go or not. Better safe than sorry. __________________ When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. - Leonardo da Vinci Current Tank Info: 55G FOWLR: 40G Sump, CPR Hang On Back Refugium, Maroon Clown, BTA, Yellow Tang, Bi-Color Blennie, Royal Gramma, YW Gobie, Pistol Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp, Brittle Star, Button & Star Polyps, Xenia. Snails & Hermits. 165G tank in beggining stage

06/30/2007, 12:02 AM	#24
aiv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 55	reefallen, i hope everything turns out ok and your husband is back to 100% SOON. i find it utterly wierd that this post of how do I save my husband's life is right next to what do I feed my tangs... it puts things into perspective. God bless.

06/30/2007, 01:08 AM	#25
30reef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,401	Yep, it really puts things in perspective. I don't think the venom from a rabbitfish is any more toxic than from a honeybee's, unless you're body has a reaction to it and one goes into anaphylactic shock. This is similar to the threads we read here about a small cut on your hand turning into a life threatening infection after cleaning the tank.