Townsville veterinarians treat injured highly venomous coastal taipan

A PREGNANT coastal taipan has been treated for superficial wounds in Townsville in a first for an experienced snake catcher and veterinary nurse.

The deadly coastal taipan was carefully restrained while the wounds were treated with the help of a local anaesthetic. Picture: Joe Mackereth

A PREGNANT coastal taipan has been treated for superficial wounds in Townsville in a first for an experienced snake catcher and veterinary nurse.

Trish Prendergast, 38, posted photos of the venomous snake to her Townsville Snakehandler Facebook page late Wednesday saying fellow snake catchers, Joe Mackereth and Alan Berry, removed the reptile from the laundry of a home in the suburb of Kelso, where it was stuck.

“Well, today I did something I’ve never done before!” Ms Prendergast wrote on her page.

“Stitched up a Coastal Taipan.”

Vet nurse Trish Prendergast (left) and veterinarian Max Kadel treat the highly venomous snake. Picture: Joe Mackereth

Ms Prendergast said the 1.6m snake was caught behind some box steel and in a wall cavity.“

“Sadly removal caused some damage that was easily fixed with a few sutures,” she said.

It was taken to the Hammett Street Vet Clinic, where veterinarian Max Kadel said it received about 15 sutures over three skin tears.

“All the muscle tissue was fine, that’s why we stitched her up under local anaesthetic,” he said.

The deadly snake, also known as an eastern taipan, was found to be gravid, or pregnant, but it was not known how many eggs she was carrying without performing an x-ray or ultrasound.

The venomous Coastal Taipan was found to have three tears in its skin when snake catchers removed it from behind a wall in a home in Kelso, a suburb of Townsville. Picture: Joe Mackereth

Ms Prendergast said it was hoped the snake would have the sutures removed in about three weeks, before being released into the bush to lay her eggs.

Photos show the front half of the coastal taipan secured in a tube, which the vet nurse said was a technique learned when dealing with venomous species.

“Local anaesthetic was used to numb the area as it was only superficial skin that was damaged,” she said.

“A huge thanks to Max at Hammett Street vets for always being willing to help us rehabilitate venomous species and to for removal of her.”

The female snake was found to be pregnant. Picture: Joe Mackereth

Although Ms Prendergast handles venomous snakes regularly, she had never caught a coastal taipan in her snake catching role before, as she was usually at work when those calls came in.

“So she was the first Townsville taipan I’ve had my hands on,” she said.

“They’re not rare here. They are a very smart snake and generally stay away from people.”

Dr Kadel, 46, said he had not treated many coastal taipans either, but had dealt with plenty of other venomous species.

“I’ve dealt with eastern browns, red belly blacks, sea snakes and others,” he said.

Ms Prendgergast said she knew some people would likely be unhappy with the plans to release the venomous snake when it had recovered.

“They have importance in Australia too,” she said.

“Just be mindful that we live in their home and be aware that they are around a bit more with breeding season.

“Call a licensed catcher if you see a snake and watch it from a safe distance.

“Don’t try to catch or kill it.”

The snake being stitched. The sutures are expected to be removed in about three weeks, with the taipan then released back into the bush. Picture: Joe Mackereth