Is platypus venom strong enough to kill a person?
Answer Dear Patrick Thanks for your question. I have answered each of your questions individually. 1. Most of this information comes from http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/science/story/0,12450,894027,00.html You are correct in saying that platypus venom can kill a dog, but there are no cases, from my studies, of platypus venom killing a human. The sharp spurs can be driven in with great force and the venom results in excruciating pain accompanied by massive localised rapid swelling, discolouration of tissues surrounding the wound, and excruciating pain and can be serious. The excruciating pain does not respond to treatment with morphine, one of the most powerful painkillers. Victims may produce dark to black urine for days after spurring, indicating intravascular hamolysis. One victim received both spurs in the hand, became seriously ill for weeks and lost the use of his arm. The venom shows physiological similarities with snake venom, but snake venom is far more virulent. Some of the
