Envenimations par les nouveaux animaux de compagnie en France métropolitaine

The fashion of breeding exotic pets is increasing in France. Since several years, tarantula bites or tropical fish stings have become numerous in mainland France. However, the most dangerous “pets” are undoubtedly the venomous snakes. Breeders are always seeking for rare specimens whose toxicity is often not described. Moreover, some breeders do not hesitate to create new hybrids whose toxicity is unpredictable. French physicians are clearly not prepared to manage such patients envenomed by tropical pets. Advices provided by specialised structures like poison centres appear often necessary in order to evaluate the hazards and to produce therapeutic protocols adapted to the involved toxic species. Antivenoms are the only treatments which may result in the rapid improvement of injury; however, antidotes are most of the time unavailable. In order to improve the situation, an antivenom bank has been built in Angers University Hospital.